A museum dedicated to all facets of product marketing over the past 200 years, whose 10,000 exhibits include many examples of iconic packaging, has officially opened in central London.
Claimed to be the UK's only such facility dedicated to the commercial retail heritage of packaging design, brand development, poster and TV advertising, the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising is housed in a new two-storey building next to the Notting Hill offices of branding consultancy pi global, whose md, Chris Griffin, is its ceo.
A major financial backer, pi global has established the museum as a registered charity. Sponsors include Kellogg's, Cadbury Trebor Bassett, Twinings, Marks and Spencer, Nestlé and Premier Foods, while packaging industry support has come from RPC, ProCarton, Dayfold Printers, the Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association, the British Aerosol Manufacturers Association and The Canmakers.
Museum director Robert Opie created the world-famous Robert Opie Collection within Gloucester's Museum of Advertising and Packaging. This was housed in a large Victorian warehouse in Gloucester Docks for 17 years, but was forced to re-locate in 2001 after the site was earmarked for development. Opie has worked tirelessly with Griffin since to raise the money to fund the new museum.
The official opening was conducted by Sir Paul Judge, who formerly spent 13 years with Cadbury Schweppes, eventually leading the buyout of its food business to form Premier Foods. Guests included top packaging, advertising and marketing personnel, and representatives from United Biscuits, Twinings, Kellogg's Cadbury Trebor Bassett and Tate & Lyle.
The Museum, at 2,Colville Mews, London W11, is open from 10am-6pm Tuesday to Saturday and from 11am-4pm on Sundays.
