Ice cream, anyone? Stan unleashes haunted truck stunt for Twisted Metal campaign

Stan has rolled out a delightfully deranged marketing campaign for the new season of Twisted Metal, partnering with Sony Pictures Television to bring the PlayStation cult classic to life in Sydney - chaos, clowns and all.

In a bold activation designed to drive hype and foot traffic, Stan’s marketing team has deployed a real-life replica of Sweet Tooth’s haunted ice cream truck. The killer clown at the centre of the franchise, Sweet Tooth, will be dishing out desserts and destruction at a series of high-footfall locations across Sydney - starting with an early on-campus drop at UTS.

The full activation kicks off Saturday August 2 at North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, where fans can score prizes every minute, including a Sony BRAVIA TV, PlayStation 5 consoles, headphones, NRL Grand Final tickets and Twisted Metal merch. The campaign continues later that evening at Paddy’s Night Food Markets in Flemington, where Sweet Tooth and his truck will headline the Show N Shine auto show.

Michelle Chandran, acting marketing director at Stan, said the campaign taps into the “chaotic, cult, and completely over-the-top” identity of the series to cut through in a saturated streaming market.

“By bringing Sweet Tooth to life, we’re tapping into the legacy of one of PlayStation’s most iconic franchises in a way that feels fun, disruptive, and fan-first,” Chandran said.

“It’s a great example of how we’re continuing to permeate culture with campaigns that feel as bold and entertaining as the stories we’re telling on screen.”

The campaign is part of Stan’s ongoing push to differentiate through experiential marketing, franchise storytelling and playful cultural engagement - a key focus as competition in streaming intensifies.

For marketers, the Twisted Metal stunt offers a timely reminder that even in a digital-first landscape, live brand theatre still has power to drive fandom, ignite earned media and create moments worth sharing.