Mercedes-Benz & Friends, Berlin Tempelhof

Prior to their huge "Mercedes-Benz & Friends" event in Berlin Tempelhof we had the privilege of discussing with Mercedes-Benz what it takes to be a "cool" (Young Classics) brand. The meeting took place in a small circle in their stunning Berlin Gallery. As we usually travel long distancies in our 1970 Mercedes-Benz W 109 we might be a little prejudiced regarding that question ...

Just hit one of the images above to visit our "Mercedes-Benz & Friends" gallery.

Mercedes-Benz Brand Workshop

A couple of days ago, we were invited by Mercedes-Benz for a "brand workshop". We had a fabulous guided tour through the stunning Mercedes-Benz Museum, visited the design department and test drove a lot of cars. Just follow this link for more pictures.

The first car we tested — voluntarily — was the Smart Electric Drive. We had a lot of discussions regarding this car recently, so it was a good opportunity to form our own opinion. Um ... well ... interesting. But to be honest: most fun we had with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. I think we can't hide our origin. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a wonderful beast.

Need for Speed Euro Spokesmodel Search

I am proud to announce Electronic Arts (EA) teamed up with Chromjuwelen.com in search of the "2012 Need for Speed Spokesmodel". Our job is to help EA/NFS finding the right two ladies for the "German language sprachraum" (D-A-CH). Tuff!

What a NFS girl should be like? Well – this is how our colleagues from Speedhunters.com summarize it best: "boundless energy, an outgoing personality, a sexy, edgy style fused with a passion for cars and gaming."

A little more (borrowed from Speedhunters as well):

The winners will act as Need for Speed ambassadors at events throughout 2012 including representing Need for Speed products at high profile gaming events across Europe and our Team Need for Speed racing team in the prestigious FIA GT3 European Championship and Drift program.

Model searches and competitions are being conducted in five territories: France, Germany, Norway, Russia and the United Kingdom. Two finalists will be selected from each territory with the final two winners from the European Spokesmodel Search Competition being announced in November in conjunction with the release of Need for Speed The Run. All contestants must be 18+.

Two winners will be announced in November and awarded a contract worth EUR 10.000,- each.

As UK, France, Norway and Russia have very charming ladies as well, it won't be a piece of cake. So help us and spread the word!

Techno Classica Essen 2011

1972 General Tire International Harvester Scout II

Needs some tlc. Opel Rekord Limousine

1955 Flajole Forerunner

"I cruised the Reeperbahn" - Peter "Monsti" Theobold (Fusseltuning)

1928 Opel Raketen-Motorrad

Mercedes: Bertha's Benz (Motorwagen)

Bitter SC

Quote: "If the raver's dream is the Loveparade, the petrol head's dream is the Techno Classica."

Word. We just have brought our 1972 General Tire International Harveseter Scout II to the booth of our colleagues from Street Magazine and took some pictures. Hit one of the images above to see them all. 

General Tire Ad

Wow. It still works. We just found out we are still able to work for dead tree media. Although we hang on the interwebs 24/7.

This is our latest ad we did for General Tire Germany. The ad—photo taken by Dirk "Pixeleye" Behlau during our trip to the General Tire Mint 400 2010—will be published in the german Street Magazine. It promotes our 1972 General Tire International Harvester Scout II as well, which we will bring to the Baja 300 Powerdays. Meet us there!

New York Times: Chromjuwelen Interview

It's happening. We are getting famous. Tamara Warren just published an article for the New York Times about American Muscles in Germany: "In Germany, a Growing Flirtation With Classic American Muscle". 

Tamara, it has been a pleasure working with you! And we are glad we could bring you together with some members of our Chromjuwelen family: Helge Thomsen, Oliver Kaps and Dirk Behlau.

Oh, here is an easteregg: Hit the image to watch some wacky Chromjuwelen Mopar Muscle videos from 2006 ...

Chromjuwelen Road Movie: 44 minutes and 44 seconds

Ever since we are doing Chromjuwelen.com, we are dreaming of "Chromjuwelen Road Movies". To capture outtakes, "behind the scene" material and shaky cell phone videos. Here it is—our first movie. Enjoy!

Please check out Chromjuwelen.com for more details.

Chromjuwelen En Route: Continental Tire Challenge, Rolex 24 at Daytona

"Fascinting Daytona Beach"

"Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge: Lyonel Kent"

"Rolex 24 at Daytona: (Patrick) Dempsey Racing"

Finally—our Grand-Am/Daytona Beach videos which we shot in the course of our Brand Ambassadorship for Continental are ready. Sorry fellas—German only. Props to Dean Malay (Producer), Jan Wigger (Camera) and Christian Tomes (Editing).

Appearance in alphabetical order:

• Greg Cates (Team Manager), Dempsey Racing

• Patrick Dempsey (Team Principal, Driver Rolex 24 at Daytona), Dempsey Racing

• Charles Espenlaub (Driver Rolex 24 at Daytona), Dempsey Racing

• Joe Foster (Team Principal, Driver Rolex 24 at Daytona), Dempsey Racing

• Andy Green (Andy Green is the current holder of the World Land speed record, and the first person to break the sound barrier on land)

• Lyonel and Danielle Kent (Driver Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge)

• Buz McKim, NASCAR Hall of Fame

• Tom Long (Driver Rolex 24 at Daytona), Dempsey Racing

• Matthias Schönberg, Continental Tire The Americas

• C. J. Wilson, Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers

Make sure you visit Chromjuwelen.com for the full article and photo galleries!

Sneak Preview: NASCAR Hall of Fame

On our way to the Continental Tire Challenge and Rolex 24 at Daytona (GRAND-AM) we stopped at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte to meet Buz McKim. Buz gives us a brief overview on the NASCAR history. For a "NASCAR Hall of Fame"-gallery hit on of the images above. Or just use this link. 

This is a sneak preview—we will publish a full coverage of our latest trip soon. 

Guy Kawasaki: Enchantment

Tenshun—this is offtopic. Sorry for the interruption. It hasn't to do either with cars, nor with Motorkultur. But it has do with media. And this is at least our other passion.

A few weeks ago Guy Kawasaki sent me his latest book: Enchantment. If you are into (internet) media, you'll probably know Guy Kawasaki. Guy is a Silicon Valley venture capitalist and best known for his marketing campaigns in the early days of Apple. We got in contact over Guy's Alltop.com, where we contribute our Chromjuwelen articles.

I am just reading Enchantment, and I think it's a must read for everyone who tries to set up so called "Social Media" campaigns. Btw, I think in the meantime everyone is sick of hearing the expression "Social Media", but unfortunately it describes this Twitter-Facebook-Tumblr community clutter best (for the moment). Especially in Germany. Where still a lot people try to sell "Social Media" concepts to agencies and companies.

Guy is noted for "having brought the concept of evangelism" (Wikipedia). And this is exactly, where are lot of modern campaigns lack. In an automotive industry, where not uncommonly ideas are driven by the (private) interests of marketing decision makers and don't reflect customer needs or product visions.

To keep it short, here's a movie.