Shedd Aquarium Brands Jelly Fish Exhibit

Shedd Aquarium Jelly Fish Exhibit

Recently, I visited the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. It was a day filled with vividly colored, unusually shaped fish swimming through larger-than-life aquariums. The jelly fish exhibit was alluring and mystical, mesmerizing visitors with their delicate tendrils gently floating through the water.  It was a day filled with inspiration and visual stimulation.
 
But, interestingly, it was also a day filled with brands and marketing.

The first brand that entered the scene was Target, advertising their Field Trip Grants program. This ad was not particularly surprising, since Target's support of schools and museum field trips is fairly well known.

Target Field Trip Grants Program at Shedd Aquarium

But, then the corporate sponsors started piling up, as we moved from room to room. Abbott, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, CommEd, Toyota, Walgreens ... a list of blue chip brands that hung from numerous banners scattered around the aquarium with pride.

Abbot / Bank of America

Toyota / Walgreens

Coca-Cola / CommEd

What a great way for a nonprofit institution to help fund special exhibits which might not fall within their normal operating budget. With nearly 2 million visitors to the Shedd each year, these brands will get more than their fair share of eyeballs during the duration of the Jellies exhibit.  And, in return, we all get to witness the magnificent beauty of these delicate creatures that live under the sea.

Shedd Aquarium Jellies Exhibit

Rather ugly yellow fish at Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium Sea Horse