Only the finest things pass through Pebble Beach every August for the Concours d’Elegance.  Exotic cars.  World-class fine art.  First-class food and wine.  All of this and more can be enjoyed during the Monterey Classic Car Week.  Since it’s inception in 1950, automotive enthusiasts have access to virtually everything their heart desires from restored, vintage cars to a day spent at the tracks.

And it doesn’t stop there.  The Automotive Fine Arts Society, a group boasting 30 artists from across the world, exhibited art for their 25th year at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

“This year marked a special milestone for automotive fine art,” said Ken Eberts, AFAS president.  “It was our 25th year to be a part of this memorable event that celebrates the rich heritage of the automobile, and we look forward to being a part of this historic event for another 25 years.  We’re especially thrilled that Audi joined us as our official sponsor and showcased their fine automobiles alongside our work.”

Nothing could compare to the stunning cars overlooking the Pacific Ocean underneath the warm California sun—an experience that a car fanatic dreams to attend every year.

What does Sylvester Stallone and West Coast Customs have in common?  Besides the tough-guy persona, the two partnered to develop a sleek black 1955 F100 pickup for the Hollywood legend’s new movie, “The Expendables,” which came out today.

The ’55 customized truck is starring alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke and Jason Statham, just to name a few.

“I’ve been a serious Stallone fan my whole life,” said Friedlinghaus.  “He has a thing for cars just like us, which made the crew really want to be part of the film.”

West Coast Customs built three versions of the pickup, which is similar to the 1950 Mercury Stallone drove in the film “Cobra.” The truck features a 347 cid Edelebrock small block stoker engine, B&M equipped AOD transmission, Gibson Exhaust, Heidts Mustang II front suspension and much more.

This is the first time West Coast Customs has been involved with a key project for a major motion picture, but it definitely isn’t its first introduction onto the movie scene.  Friedlinghaus and his crew also built supporting cars for movies such as “The Fast and The Furious” and “Death Race.”

The three versions of the pickup were created and customized in just three short weeks by the famous WCC group.  There was even a member of his team at the filming to repair the F100s in case the cast members tore them up.

Check out “The Expendables” today in theatres to see West Coast Customs’ tricked out truck in action!

Barrett-Jackson president, Steve Davis, responded to this question from Fox News’ most talked about news show, Strategy Room, on Friday.   As one of the foremost experts in the industry, Steve spoke about how Barrett-Jackson is revving up profits in a tough economy.

The Strategy Room’s Chris Cotter and Tracy Byrnes, both collector car enthusiasts, didn’t shy away from asking Steve what we all wanted to know, “How has your business [weathered] this recession?”

Steve responded enthusiastically about the growing number of bidders and consignors, as well as investment and collector value of traditional classics and new collectibles.

“The cars really represent a value in many ways,” added Davis. “It represents memories, it represents passion [and] it represents fun that you can enjoy with your grandfather, your great-grandfather [and] your children.”

Over the past three years, Barrett-Jackson has introduced two successful auction locations, including Las Vegas and Orange County, and enjoyed a 50 percent increase of bidders attending the events.  Just recently at the inaugural Orange County auction, Barrett-Jackson reported that 53 percent of the vehicles that crossed the auction block were purchased by new bidders.

“We’ve seen an incredible amount of new people coming into our world as a result of some of the things happening on Wall Street,” said Davis.  “These vehicles are tangible assets.  They have an incredible amount of fun attached to them and if someone sneezes on Wall Street, I guarantee the whole car isn’t going to disappear.”

Want to know Steve’s thoughts over the collectability and future value of today’s cars?  Click here to see the full story.

Barrett-Jackson auction action heats up as the sun sets on the OC Fair & Events Center.

Now that the auction action is over, everyone knows the new Barrett Jackson Orange County Collector Car event was a huge success. The first auction reported an impressive turnout with strong sales and a great response from the local community.  Restomods, hot rods, exotics and original muscle cars were the most popular among bidders.

Now that word of Barrett’s new location in Southern California has spread like wildfire, the 2011 OC event is bound to be even more exciting.  Attendance should be bigger and the cars even hotter, setting up the auction to be better and the sales even higher.

By: M. Austin Black

The death of New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has given baseball fans reason to pause and contemplate the man’s impact on the sports world.   But the lessons to be learned from this international icon are far more valuable to entrepreneurs who understand the value of marketing and public relations.

Over 37 years of ownership, George Steinbrenner built a brand that was easily recognizable and extremely valuable.

In fact, Forbes magazine (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-13/steinbrenner-oversaw-15-900-rise-in-yankee-value-chart-of-day.html) estimated that during George Steinbrenner’s tenure as owner, the value of the New York Yankees increased by about 15,900 percent.

The core of his philosophy was wrapped up in the term “tradition,” which those in the business world recognize as being an organization’s core brand attribute.

According to USA Today (http://content.usatoday.com/topics/quote/Organizations/Companies/Publishers,+Media,+Music/New+York+Times/0c1i03DdWEcpn/01yLcAJ9DvdEy/3) Steinbrenner once said that, “When you put the pinstripes on, you’re not just putting a baseball uniform on, you’re wearing tradition and you’re wearing pride, and you’re going to wear it the right way.”  This approach is one that understands the basic tenet of good PR and marketing: make a promise and then strive to keep it, at every level of the organization.

This philosophy is the ultimate brand builder and grows maximum value within a business.  Everyone who worked for the Yankees understood what the organization stood for, everyday.  Their customers, the general public, clearly understood the club’s core messages because the Yankees pursued their goals with clear intent every year, even when they did not win the World Series.

This is a long-term perspective that is all too often overlooked in the contemporary “microwave society” that demands instant results.  Because it is not a quick fix or as glamorous as a silver bullet that turns around a company, building an image based on consistent adherence to core values is often seen as antiquated.

Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart is credited with often saying that people thought he was an overnight success when the truth was they had just “heard of me last night.”  Love or hate the box retail pioneer, the company understood that his success was predicated on making a promise to customers and then keeping it, day after day, year after year.

The bottom line is that successful branding is really business code for building tradition.  On a day when the world considers George Steinbrenner’s legacy, his greatest contribution may actually be the blueprint he laid out to organizations that want to succeed: build and keep traditions that create winners.

COSTA MESA, Calif. – June 20, 2010 – Connell Chevrolet in Costa Mesa, Calif. hosted the first ever Barrett-Jackson Cruise-In on Sunday, June 20.  Over one hundred vehicles lined up down the dealership parking lot with their owners showing off the best features of their rides.  Custom and vintage hot rods, restomods, corvettes and muscle cars were on display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Blue Daddy, a classic rock band played tunes all afternoon, while Paul Newman from Go Country 105 FM announced the latest in Barrett-Jackson giveaways.  Posters, t-shirts and tickets were raffled off every half hour with over ten winners.

Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson and Gary Bennett, vice president of consignment, were all smiles while announcing the three winners of the Barrett-Jackson Choice Awards.  The first winner of the Barrett-Jackson Choice Award was a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette owned by Buddy and Charlotte Davis.  As the original owners of the cream-colored convertible, Buddy and Charlotte took home the People’s Choice Award as well.  The People’s Choice Award was voted on by participants at the Cruise-In for the best car in attendance.  The second winner of the Barrett-Jackson Choice Award was a 1956 Custom Nomad.  This black and chrome restomod was proudly owned by Bob Edger.  The third winner was Nick and Shauna Berger who own an apple red 1961 Ford T-Bird.

For more information about TPRM, visit http://tprm-usa.com/.

“Deregulation has empowered businesses across Illinois to have greater control over their utility costs,” said James Dodson, RPM partner and co-founder. “As a licensed broker, we’re able to negotiate the best electric and gas rates for companies. But, our services don’t stop there. We’re able to make the most of tax-based incentives and green initiatives that also have a quick ROI.”

RPM also operates in Texas, California, Delaware, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Pennsylvania and will soon be among the first to be licensed in Washington D.C. Companies interested in tapping RPM’s extensive expertise and energy brokerage services can also call (888) 509-3030 or access http://www.rapidpower.net.

For more  information about TPRM, click here.

This will be the first time an F1 event has been hosted on American soil since the 2007 Grand Prix in Indianapolis. It’s being reported that a new facility will be built for the race.

You can read more at http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100525/F1/100529836

Congratulations to the great state of Texas for this exciting achievement!

For more information about TPRM, click here.

Attention all North Texas business owners and baseball fans! We’re giving you a chance to help single mothers and children in need across North Texas and put you in the running for the coveted title of “Best Boss Ever.”

The Vernon Wells Perfect 10 Foundation is raffling off a chance for Arlington’s very own Blue Jay’s center fielder Vernon Wells to come to your office for three hours to hang out and sign autographs. The amount of contribution will determine the number of raffle tickets you’ll receive plus put you in the running for additional prizes, such as autographed baseballs and a featured spot on the Foundation’s website.

Nearly 1,500 children are homeless on any given night in North Texas and the Vernon Wells Perfect 10 Foundation is determined to help as many children as possible by raising awareness and serving those in need. Everyone’s support can help save a life and break the cycle of poverty.

Hurry now and show your support by entering the raffle. The drawing will be held August 1, 2010.

For raffle details click on the image below.  To donate to the Foundation click here.

]]> http://www.tprm-usa.com/blog/2010/05/help-save-a-life/feed/ 0 http://www.tprm-usa.com/blog/2010/05/james-denton-of-desperate-houswives-makes-a-pledge-to-the-vernon-wells-perfect-10-foundation/ http://www.tprm-usa.com/blog/2010/05/james-denton-of-desperate-houswives-makes-a-pledge-to-the-vernon-wells-perfect-10-foundation/#comments Mon, 17 May 2010 13:50:16 +0000 admin http://www.tprm-usa.com/blog/?p=369 James Denton? Recognize the name? We all might know him better as Mike the plumber on Desperate Housewives who has an on-again off-again relationship with Teri Hatcher. Denton, who is a big baseball fan, has generously made a pledge to the Vernon Wells Perfect 10 Foundation that will go to benefit single mothers and children across North Texas.

In his spare time, Denton plays in a band called “Band From TV” with Hugh Laurie also known as the infamous “House,” among many others. They each take the money left from events and send it to the charities of their choice. This time, Denton thoughtfully chose to share his portion with the Vernon Wells Perfect 10 Foundation. How cool is that?!

Denton met Wells in Toronto during one of Vernon’s games and got to throw the first ball out. They really hit it off. Denton expressed how cool and nice Vernon was, which made Denton want to help any way he could. So, when he got the e-newsletter with the pledge sheet, Denton knew that it was an opportunity he couldn’t resist.