Shannon Gordinier
November 8, 2018
It isn’t every day that we get to set up R+D courses for big, class 4 and 5 work trucks, but with last week’s launch of the new 2019 Navistar International CV truck line, Gordinier Group got to do just that.
Navistar is on the leading edge of medium-heavy duty truck manufacturers who use experiential marketing as a sales tool. In this case, dealers and media guests were invited to a CV immersion, part of which involved them getting behind the wheel of the new trucks.
Nestled in a large asphalt space between Soldier Field and McCormick Place on scenic Lake Michigan, we put together 2 courses with the guidance of Navistar engineers who had specific attributes that they wanted to show in their new truck line.
The event was very well attended – especially considering the cold windy conditions typical of November in Chicago.
Another great partner activation with the George P Johnson Company that was delivered flawlessly and on brand!
October 16-18, 2018
Sunbelt Ag Expo was the final stop on a successful summer farm show season for Ram Truck and Gordinier Group.
Ag shows are a great way for Ram to take a more grassroots approach to experiential marketing. In contrast to Ram’s auto show ride and drive activations, the guest interactions are longer and more personal at farm shows. While Gordinier Group drivers can’t churn through the staggering numbers of people like at an auto show, it is nice to shift gears and have an opportunity to form more of a bond with the heavy truck-biased demographic and be able to spend more time addressing their questions and concerns. It really feels like the trade-off is worth it.
This year’s tour began in California, hitting 5 total stops before finishing up in Moultrie, GA at Sunbelt. The 2018 2018 tour featured stops at:
World Ag Expo – Tulare, CA
Wisconsin Farm Tech Days – Johnson Creek, WI
Farm Progress Show – Boone, IA
Husker Harvest Days – Grand Island, NE
Sunbelt Ag Expo, Moultrie, GA
The Ram program consists of in interior off-road track surrounded by a perimeter towing track. This allows the team to give guests two different experiences – a ride along over the technical off-road features, piloted by Gordinier Group drivers. Similar to the auto show model, drivers give product specs and explain what the truck is showing on each obstacle.
On the tow track, guests drive and tow the load while GG personnel ride shotgun, answering questions and giving pointers while the guests actually feel the truck’s power and towing capability first hand.
With this model, the consumer experience is genuine and very informative. We are looking forward to getting back to the fields in 2019!
October 4-7, 2018
Gordinier Group drivers traveled to Anaheim, California to kick off the 2018 fall auto show season at the Orange County International Auto Show.
Despite to warm, sunny Socal weather, Camp Jeep brought in record numbers this year! We had long lines at the Jeep track from bell-to-bell all four days and were able to leave great impressions on thousands of interested guests.
We were back inside the Anaheim Convention Center this year, right where all of the action is. While most of the experiential ride and drive events are located outside, Camp Jeep typically runs the proverbial table inside and this year was no different. With the redesigned 2018 Wrangler Rubicon in the rotation, guests can’t seem to resist giving the simulated off-road course a go.
Also on tap at this years OCIAS were the new 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk and Compass Trailhawk, as well as 2018 Grand Cherokee and Renegade Trailhawk models. The course featured the 18′ Jeep Mobile Mountain, Trail-Rated Pass, Breakover, Stairs and Sidehill Wedge properties. These obstacles gave guests a 5-minute thrill ride while they learned about each vehicle’s specs and what makes them best-in-class on and off of the road.
October 5-6, 2018
Camp Jeep piggybacked onto Cal Jam, a giant, Jeep-sponsored music festival in San Bernadino, CA. With headliner Foo Fighters (and featuring other huge acts such as Iggy Pop and Tenacious D), we knew that we would have the perfect audience/demographic to deliver an authentic, on-brand experience to.
Given the gorgeous mountain backdrop of Glen Helen Raceway Park, it made sense for this Jeep off-road course to be built from mostly organic materials. We supplemented the Jeep mobile mountain with formed dirt articulation mounds, berms, off-camber tilts, a side-hill wedge, and a boulder pile. Building organic off-road tracks is one of Gordinier Group’s core competencies and this course didn’t disappoint.
Both days of the festival saw guests lining up in droves to experience rides in the new 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon as well as the new 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk and the new Jeep Compass Trailhawk.
Gordinier Group pro drivers were behind the wheel, navigating the new Jeep vehicles through the extreme obstacles while delivering product info along the way. Feedback from the guests was great at this event.
Hats off to the Jeep and FCA for continuing to sniff out big events with just the right mix of interested guests.
