{"id":8853,"date":"2025-07-14T01:24:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T05:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/2025\/07\/14\/meet-the-new-town-square-of-culture-and-commerce\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T11:19:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T11:19:22","slug":"meet-the-new-town-square-of-culture-and-commerce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/news\/meet-the-new-town-square-of-culture-and-commerce\/8853\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet The New Town Square of Culture and Commerce"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>By Kristen Jackman, SVP, Westfield Rise US<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In an era of rapid retail evolution, the idea of a mall as <em>merely<\/em> a place to shop is outdated. Flagship malls\u2014like Westfield Century City, which will in fact welcome more visitors than Disneyland this year\u2014have transformed into dynamic and multifaceted destinations where commerce, culture, and community converge. These places are more than just shopping destinations; they are modern town squares that shape trends, drive purchases, and serve as prime opportunities for brands to engage with their audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1057\" height=\"592\" src=\"https:\/\/network.advertisingweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8855\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:1057px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/1.png 1057w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/1-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/1-1024x574.png 1024w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/1-768x430.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1057px) 100vw, 1057px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">{Beis; Westfield Rise}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Located at the Heart of the Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At their core, flagship malls sit at the intersection of retail, entertainment, and social interaction. They function as lifestyle centers where visitors aren\u2019t just browsing but rather participating. Shoppers come for concerts, food festivals, pop-up markets, art installations, and family events, making the mall a true destination for the community. In fact, research shows that<a href=\"https:\/\/www.unibail-rodamco-westfield.de\/en\/westfield-how-we-shop-a-new-decade-of-experience-retail-dawns-europe\/#:~:text=LOCALLY,known%20ones\"> 70% of consumers want retail spaces to reflect the local community and serve as gathering places<\/a>. Mall owners have taken note: Westfield\u2019s strategy, for example, is to transform its flagship properties into<a href=\"https:\/\/www.retailtouchpoints.com\/topics\/digital-marketing\/urw-aims-to-turn-its-malls-into-dynamic-platforms-for-brand-storytelling-with-launch-of-u-s-media-network#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWestfield%20Rise%C2%A0is%20central%20to%20the,%E2%80%9D\"> \u201cmultidimensional destinations where people can live, work and play,\u201d<\/a> effectively turning these spaces into dynamic platforms for culture and engagement. The result is an environment where people linger for experiences, not just errands \u2013 and where brands can naturally become part of the community\u2019s story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1054\" height=\"704\" src=\"https:\/\/network.advertisingweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/06\/hero.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8856\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:1054px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/06\/hero.jpg 1054w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/06\/hero-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/06\/hero-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/06\/hero-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1054px) 100vw, 1054px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">{Beyond Yoga; Westfield Rise}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This shift in mall culture means that a trip to a premier shopping center might include yoga on the plaza in the morning, a tech demo or book fair in the afternoon, and a live music performance in the evening. Such experiential richness has reinvented the mall as a modern-day town square \u2013 a place where relationships are built and cultural moments unfold, not simply where goods are bought and sold. For marketers, this evolution presents a unique opportunity: these flagship malls shape trends, drive word-of-mouth, and serve as prime stages for brands to engage audiences in real life, even if a brand doesn\u2019t operate a permanent store there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1057\" height=\"595\" src=\"https:\/\/network.advertisingweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8857\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:1057px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/3.png 1057w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/3-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/3-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/3-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1057px) 100vw, 1057px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">{Left: Dreame, Right: Aritzia; Westfield Rise}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Power of Live Engagement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rise of immersive experiential is a defining trend of this decade. Consumers today crave experiences and shareable moments as much as (or more than) products.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.unibail-rodamco-westfield.de\/en\/westfield-how-we-shop-a-new-decade-of-experience-retail-dawns-europe\/#:~:text=UPSIDE,creative%2C%20health%20and%20games%20orientated\"> By 2025, over half of retail floor space is expected to be dedicated to experiences rather than product display, according to a major study. Globally, 81% of shoppers say they are willing to pay more for immersive experiences in retail.<\/a> This is the new reality driving mall development \u2013 and it\u2019s why flagship malls have become canvases for media and experiential marketing that bring brands to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1057\" height=\"595\" src=\"https:\/\/network.advertisingweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8858\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:1057px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/4.png 1057w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/4-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/4-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/4-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1057px) 100vw, 1057px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">{Warner Bros.\u2019 Minecraft; Westfield Rise}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For brands looking to build credibility and excitement, a flagship mall offers a high-impact arena to connect with consumers during their moments of leisure and discovery. Interactive digital billboards, augmented-reality demos, product pop-up shops, and influencer events are now common sights in these venues. The payoff from such experiential activations can be huge:<a href=\"https:\/\/explore.seeker.io\/blog\/18-stats-about-experiential-marketing-in-2024#:~:text=98,Social%20Content%20at%20Experiential%20Events\"> nearly 98% of attendees at brand events create digital or social content about the experience<\/a>, amplifying the reach far beyond the mall itself through user-generated posts. A well-crafted mall activation doesn\u2019t just drive foot traffic \u2013 it sparks conversations online and offline. Moreover, these experiences convert. Studies indicate<a href=\"https:\/\/explore.seeker.io\/blog\/18-stats-about-experiential-marketing-in-2024#:~:text=85,After%20Participating%20in%20Experiential%20Marketing\"> 85% of consumers are more likely to purchase a product after participating in a brand\u2019s experiential event, and a significant majority feel a stronger connection to the brand afterward<\/a> (almost 90% feel more connected after attending an event). In other words, mall-based experiences can turn casual shoppers into loyal customers by forging an emotional bond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1057\" height=\"592\" src=\"https:\/\/network.advertisingweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8859\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:1057px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/5.png 1057w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/5-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/5-1024x574.png 1024w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/5-768x430.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1057px) 100vw, 1057px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">{Disney Snow White; Westfield Rise}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crucially, what happens in a mall doesn\u2019t stay in the mall. The social validation and excitement generated in a physical space feed into digital buzz. One live activation in a flagship center can reach thousands on-site and millions more through social sharing and word-of-mouth, as attendees pass along their memorable encounters. It\u2019s no wonder brands are reallocating budgets toward experiential retail campaigns. Traditional advertising alone is losing its luster \u2013<a href=\"https:\/\/explore.seeker.io\/blog\/18-stats-about-experiential-marketing-in-2024#:~:text=87,More%20Memorable%20Than%20TV%20Ads\"> 87% of consumers say brand experiences are more memorable than TV ads<\/a>. Flagship malls, with their guaranteed crowds and curated ambiance, offer an ideal stage for these memorable brand experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Five Ways Brands Can Leverage the New Town Square<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>1. Incorporate Digital Touchpoints<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bridge physical and digital engagement. Invest in high-impact digital out-of-home media from immersive LED screens to interactive kiosks that can captivate mall visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1057\" height=\"721\" src=\"https:\/\/network.advertisingweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/6.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8860\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:1057px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/6.jpg 1057w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/6-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/6-1024x698.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/6-768x524.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1057px) 100vw, 1057px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">{Chanel Scented Kiosk; Westfield Rise}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>2. Create Meaningful Shareable Moments<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Design experiences that inspire social sharing. An engaging mall activation should be camera-ready and conversation-worthy. Whether it\u2019s a stunning art-piece display, a fun photo booth, or an exclusive product trial, think about what will prompt visitors to snap a picture or record a video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1057\" height=\"581\" src=\"https:\/\/network.advertisingweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/7.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8861\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:1057px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/7.png 1057w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/7-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/7-1024x563.png 1024w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/7-768x422.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1057px) 100vw, 1057px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">{Pride 2025 Installation; Westfield Rise}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>3. Align with Culture and Community<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Align activations with moments that resonate\u2014seasonal launches, partnerships with major events, or thematic experiences that connect to trends that your audience cares deeply about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1057\" height=\"707\" src=\"https:\/\/network.advertisingweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8862\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:1057px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/8.jpg 1057w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/8-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/8-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/8-768x514.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1057px) 100vw, 1057px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">{LA Marathon; Westfield Rise}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>4. Drive Purchase Intent<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Exciting experiences are great, but marketers ultimately want to see conversions. Make it easy for consumers who interact with your brand in the mall to take the next step towards purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1057\" height=\"592\" src=\"https:\/\/network.advertisingweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/10.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8863\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:1057px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/10.png 1057w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/10-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/10-1024x574.png 1024w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/10-768x430.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1057px) 100vw, 1057px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">{Left: TikTok Shop, Right: Lululemon; Westfield Rise}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>5. Own the Town Square Mentality<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Approach the mall as a storytelling platform, not just a point of sale. A flagship mall is more than a retail location; it\u2019s a stage for brand storytelling and immersion. Marketers should embrace this by crafting immersive brand narratives within the mall environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1057\" height=\"592\" src=\"https:\/\/network.advertisingweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/11.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8864\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:1057px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/11.png 1057w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/11-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/11-1024x574.png 1024w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/11-768x430.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1057px) 100vw, 1057px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">{Chamberlain Coffee x 818 Tequila; Westfield Rise)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>An evolutionary space\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flagship malls today are far from relics of retail. They have evolved into adaptive, multidimensional spaces that influence buying behavior and shape brand perception in ways few other environments can. These malls are not just places where transactions happen; they\u2019re places where relationships are built. They are the modern arenas where cultural moments unfold and communities come together \u2013 and where brands can establish a lasting presence in the minds of consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1057\" height=\"592\" src=\"https:\/\/network.advertisingweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/12.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8865\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:1057px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/12.png 1057w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/12-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/12-1024x574.png 1024w, https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/12-768x430.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1057px) 100vw, 1057px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><p>{Amazon \u2018The Boys\u2019; Westfield Rise}<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For marketers in the retail sector, the implication is clear: to drive engagement, build credibility, and foster loyalty, it\u2019s time to rethink the role of the mall in your strategy. A flagship shopping center is no longer just a distribution point for products \u2013 it\u2019s a vibrant media and experience platform, a direct line to high-intent audiences in real life. From Los Angeles to London and beyond, the mall is becoming more than a mall \u2013 it\u2019s a movement. Brands that recognize and embrace the flagship mall as the new town square of culture and commerce will be the ones to shape the next chapter of retail success.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For marketers in the retail sector, the implication is clear: to drive engagement, build credibility, and foster loyalty, it\u2019s time to rethink the role of the mall in your strategy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":8854,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"topics":[2],"class_list":["post-8853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","topics-editorial"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Meet The New Town Square of Culture and Commerce | AW360<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/news\/meet-the-new-town-square-of-culture-and-commerce\/8853\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Meet The New Town Square of Culture and Commerce\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"For marketers in the retail sector, the implication is clear: to drive engagement, build credibility, and foster loyalty, it\u2019s time to rethink the role of the mall in your strategy.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/news\/meet-the-new-town-square-of-culture-and-commerce\/8853\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"AW360\" \/>\n<meta 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