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Friday, May 22, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Win Free Prizes for Providing Input on Press Pass Legends 2009!
Press Pass wants your input! We are working on our 2009 release of Press Pass Legends and are interested in drivers that you would like to see included in this year’s product.
Please review the list of 30 drivers below and give us your opinion on 5 ADDITIONAL drivers that you would like us to consider for inclusion in Press Pass 2009 Legends. Please keep in mind that the drivers you select can be from other forms of racing and can include any driver featured previously in Press Pass Legends, but not listed below.
Please choose the 5 drivers you would most like to see in Press Pass Legends 2009 that aren’t listed below.
Bobby Allison
Davey Allison
Mario Andretti
Kyle Busch
Ralph Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Carl Edwards
Tim Flock
Jeff Gordon
Dale Jarrett
Ned Jarrett
Jimmie Johnson
Alan Kulwicki
Terry Labonte
Mark Martin
Rick Mears
Benny Parsons
David Pearson
Lee Petty
Richard Petty
Tim Richmond
Fireball Roberts
Tony Stewart
Curtis Turner
Al Unser
Bobby Unser
Rusty Wallace
Darrell Waltrip
Cale Yarborough
Two participants will be randomly selected to win a box of 2009 Press Pass Premium!
BONUS QUESTION:
Tell us who you think are the top racing families of all-time. List (in order) your opinion on the top families of Motorsports. Provide between 5 and 10 responses.
One participant will be randomly selected to win a vintage Dale Earnhardt Jr. autograph!
Please respond no later than May 12th in order to be eligible for the prize drawings. Be sure to include your name and email address so we can contact you if you win.
Please review the list of 30 drivers below and give us your opinion on 5 ADDITIONAL drivers that you would like us to consider for inclusion in Press Pass 2009 Legends. Please keep in mind that the drivers you select can be from other forms of racing and can include any driver featured previously in Press Pass Legends, but not listed below.
Please choose the 5 drivers you would most like to see in Press Pass Legends 2009 that aren’t listed below.
Bobby Allison
Davey Allison
Mario Andretti
Kyle Busch
Ralph Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Carl Edwards
Tim Flock
Jeff Gordon
Dale Jarrett
Ned Jarrett
Jimmie Johnson
Alan Kulwicki
Terry Labonte
Mark Martin
Rick Mears
Benny Parsons
David Pearson
Lee Petty
Richard Petty
Tim Richmond
Fireball Roberts
Tony Stewart
Curtis Turner
Al Unser
Bobby Unser
Rusty Wallace
Darrell Waltrip
Cale Yarborough
Two participants will be randomly selected to win a box of 2009 Press Pass Premium!
BONUS QUESTION:
Tell us who you think are the top racing families of all-time. List (in order) your opinion on the top families of Motorsports. Provide between 5 and 10 responses.
One participant will be randomly selected to win a vintage Dale Earnhardt Jr. autograph!
Please respond no later than May 12th in order to be eligible for the prize drawings. Be sure to include your name and email address so we can contact you if you win.
Double Yellow
What a race this weekend turned into! Talladega at it’s best folks and I’m glad everyone walked away too. Watching Brad Keselowski take his first trip to victory lane while dueling it out with top Cup stars Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Ryan Newman was a thrill. Was anything else even on television yesterday? I was glued to this race. Until yesterday, most of the Cup races have been a bit on the mundane side with a few minor exceptions at the short tracks.
I think though that we can almost always count on ‘Dega for a thriller from start to finish. Nascar has helped with the excitement level first with the restrictor plates and now with the double yellow line rule. As we all know, you can’t improve position passing below the double yellow line – hence the Regan Smith debacle at the last Talladega race. Of course if Smith holds his car above the line last year, he spins Stewart and wins the race. That’s exactly what Brad did yesterday. He had a run on Carl, and when Carl went for the block, Brad did the only thing he could do without being penalized by Nascar: hold his line. Even the Nationwide race on Saturday was a knockout with David Ragan claiming his first win in any of the top three series with a last lap pass.
Congratulations to Brad Keselowski on his first Sprint Cup victory! Look forward to seeing him win a few more and maybe the All-Star Race as well. Check out upcoming Press Pass Nascar trading card products for cards of Brad Keselowski, David Ragan and all the other top stars of Nascar.
I think though that we can almost always count on ‘Dega for a thriller from start to finish. Nascar has helped with the excitement level first with the restrictor plates and now with the double yellow line rule. As we all know, you can’t improve position passing below the double yellow line – hence the Regan Smith debacle at the last Talladega race. Of course if Smith holds his car above the line last year, he spins Stewart and wins the race. That’s exactly what Brad did yesterday. He had a run on Carl, and when Carl went for the block, Brad did the only thing he could do without being penalized by Nascar: hold his line. Even the Nationwide race on Saturday was a knockout with David Ragan claiming his first win in any of the top three series with a last lap pass.
Congratulations to Brad Keselowski on his first Sprint Cup victory! Look forward to seeing him win a few more and maybe the All-Star Race as well. Check out upcoming Press Pass Nascar trading card products for cards of Brad Keselowski, David Ragan and all the other top stars of Nascar.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Opportunity Knocks, Will You Answer
As we endure the 16th month of the current recession there are many opportunities and decisions that are uniquely apparent. As a Sales Rep for Press Pass it was a timely decision to re-establish the Press Pass die cast brand by bringing back the traditional 1:80 scale Tractor Trailer. Known as the flagship collectible to sports die cast enthusiasts, the 2009 tractor trailer will be clearly marked with the date on the rear panel of each truck. Although this may seem insignificant to many casual fans, the die cast collector will have the opportunity to continue display their cherished yearly collectible that originated in 1989 with White Rose.
This seemingly small change along with the re-introduction of the NFL car with card gives both collectors and retailers a great opportunity. Sports die cast can be to a retailer what the familiarity and emotional security of comfort food offer to today’s consumer. Press Pass’ die cast line offers both collectible and play value as well as two attractive price points that most value conscious consumers will consider affordable.
As we all re-examine both our personal and business spending patterns, it is crucial to make sure your business’s marketing and promotional dollars are well spent. Here are six cost effective methods of promoting your business that may offer a good return for the resources that you have to spend.
A. E-mail marketing: An effective e-mail marketing campaign costs very little and has a much higher response then direct mail marketing. Ask for customer e-mail addresses and specific interests. Classify and manage this information effectively for a low cost, high return campaign.
B. Create a presentation on the hobby that is appropriate for community groups, schools, summer camps or any organization that might want a speaker with an interesting topic. Use any type of media you are comfortable with including Power Point, sound, video or samples. This tool can be an effective way to promote your business by attracting new collectors.
C. Pay per click internet advertising: Although this can be expensive, you have the control to limit keywords, clicks per day, and the money you spend. The other advantage to this method is the ability to track every unique visitor to your website and see if you are getting your desired return.
D. Social Networking: This exploding category is only limited by your knowledge of the applications available. Whether you are “tweeting” about the 2009 Chicago Bears Tractor Trailer or you are creating a business profile on Face book or My Space. Do not ignore the opportunity that message boards, blogs, forums, and other social networking web sites present.
E. Remnant Space Advertising: As ad revenues drop precipitously now is the time inquire about the unsold space or air time from various media outlets. Be sure to check appropriate sources for your business including national and regional magazines, radio, newspapers, and television. Remnant or excess advertising inventory can sell for 75-90% off of line pricing.
F. Public Relations: Have you reached out your local library to participate in the kid’s summer reading program? Consider holding “non-traditional” events at your store or business to attract local, national, or even international attention. These events could be anything from a blood drive to a collection for your local food bank. The opportunity comes just in time as nonprofit groups around the country are reporting a surge of interest in volunteering as a rise in unemployed workers meets an increase in human need. All you need is a few new loyal customers from these events to make your efforts pay off.
There are two notable examples of how investment in previous economic downturns has paid off. Many conventional thinkers would have been happy to invest in a dotcom during its peak in 1999. In fact the best time to start a technology based company was in 2002 after the huge downturn when the price of starting a business including real estate to programming talent was lower. Finally there is the famous example of John D. Rockefeller Jr. who was charged with spending his father’s fortune. In 1931 construction began on Rockefeller Center. At the time this was seen as privately funded public works project. The building was completed in 1946 and over 75,000 were employed in its construction. Needless to say the investment has paid off as Rockefeller Center still maintains its place as pre-eminent building in the city that never sleeps.
Benjamin Goldman
Senior VP Operations
National Sports Associates
This seemingly small change along with the re-introduction of the NFL car with card gives both collectors and retailers a great opportunity. Sports die cast can be to a retailer what the familiarity and emotional security of comfort food offer to today’s consumer. Press Pass’ die cast line offers both collectible and play value as well as two attractive price points that most value conscious consumers will consider affordable.
As we all re-examine both our personal and business spending patterns, it is crucial to make sure your business’s marketing and promotional dollars are well spent. Here are six cost effective methods of promoting your business that may offer a good return for the resources that you have to spend.
A. E-mail marketing: An effective e-mail marketing campaign costs very little and has a much higher response then direct mail marketing. Ask for customer e-mail addresses and specific interests. Classify and manage this information effectively for a low cost, high return campaign.
B. Create a presentation on the hobby that is appropriate for community groups, schools, summer camps or any organization that might want a speaker with an interesting topic. Use any type of media you are comfortable with including Power Point, sound, video or samples. This tool can be an effective way to promote your business by attracting new collectors.
C. Pay per click internet advertising: Although this can be expensive, you have the control to limit keywords, clicks per day, and the money you spend. The other advantage to this method is the ability to track every unique visitor to your website and see if you are getting your desired return.
D. Social Networking: This exploding category is only limited by your knowledge of the applications available. Whether you are “tweeting” about the 2009 Chicago Bears Tractor Trailer or you are creating a business profile on Face book or My Space. Do not ignore the opportunity that message boards, blogs, forums, and other social networking web sites present.
E. Remnant Space Advertising: As ad revenues drop precipitously now is the time inquire about the unsold space or air time from various media outlets. Be sure to check appropriate sources for your business including national and regional magazines, radio, newspapers, and television. Remnant or excess advertising inventory can sell for 75-90% off of line pricing.
F. Public Relations: Have you reached out your local library to participate in the kid’s summer reading program? Consider holding “non-traditional” events at your store or business to attract local, national, or even international attention. These events could be anything from a blood drive to a collection for your local food bank. The opportunity comes just in time as nonprofit groups around the country are reporting a surge of interest in volunteering as a rise in unemployed workers meets an increase in human need. All you need is a few new loyal customers from these events to make your efforts pay off.
There are two notable examples of how investment in previous economic downturns has paid off. Many conventional thinkers would have been happy to invest in a dotcom during its peak in 1999. In fact the best time to start a technology based company was in 2002 after the huge downturn when the price of starting a business including real estate to programming talent was lower. Finally there is the famous example of John D. Rockefeller Jr. who was charged with spending his father’s fortune. In 1931 construction began on Rockefeller Center. At the time this was seen as privately funded public works project. The building was completed in 1946 and over 75,000 were employed in its construction. Needless to say the investment has paid off as Rockefeller Center still maintains its place as pre-eminent building in the city that never sleeps.
Benjamin Goldman
Senior VP Operations
National Sports Associates
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Get Inked With KISS
For years, a disgrace has been embedded in body art as ink is in the skin. Perhaps that attitude was perpetuated by the fact that traditionally, tattooed people tended to be somewhat on the fringes of society, and have occupations that were not exactly mainstream and a little mysterious-like pirates, sailors, Japanese warriors, and gypsies. It gave body art a rather romantic, outlaw reputation.
Today, tattoos have become something of normality with the likes of movie stars and rock stars jumping on the bandwagon to get inked. The general public's fascination with celebrities gives them the power to give a voice to their cause, and influence our culture. More and more stars are making appearances with their tattoos hanging out and showing them off on the red carpet, giving their admiring fans one more reason to run out and get inked.
For better or worse, it's the idea of symbolism that draws people to tattooing. People commonly seek designs that celebrate or commemorate significant events in their lives, such as the birth of a new baby or the passing of a loved one. Some people choose a symbol of an immense accomplishment, like surviving cancer or serving time in the armed forces.
We obviously have come a long, long way in the ability to articulate self expression, making getting a tattoo more and more acceptable in today’s society. Getting a tattoo is a way to display art that is deeply meaningful to the owner. It has become ok to ask someone what their tattoo stands for. In fact they wouldn't have it so prominently displayed if they didn't want you to notice it.
Tattoos have become iconic symbols of design. What better way for me to be able to incorporate my love for the art and tattooing than to combine it with our upcoming entertainment release- KISS Ikons.
KISS wanted to be different than other bands of their time- more theatrical, odd, and shocking-something to remember. They knew they didn’t want to go onstage looking like your “Average Joe” band in shirts and jeans. That is when they began experimenting with make-up, with small amounts of black, white and silver. The here-and-there on the face paint jobs eventually evolved into full-face designs.
It was these full-face designs that inspired me to draw four different tattoos, one for each band member of KISS- the Starchild, the Demon, the Spaceman, and the Catman. Thousands of designs are out there for people to choose from, with styles of tattooing ranging from your traditional Irezumi (Japanese tattooing) to the “Old School” sailor tattoos of sparrows, hearts and anchors. Incorporating the uniqueness of each band members’ iconic face paint with these traditional forms of tattoo design, I created four unique member specific tattoos that are sure to drive KISS fans wild.
KISS Ikons hits store shelves in mid-April, and my four unique tattoo designs (along with 14 other classic KISS tattoos) will be available in Target, Wal-Mart, and your local hobby shop. Here is a preview of my designs.
Today, tattoos have become something of normality with the likes of movie stars and rock stars jumping on the bandwagon to get inked. The general public's fascination with celebrities gives them the power to give a voice to their cause, and influence our culture. More and more stars are making appearances with their tattoos hanging out and showing them off on the red carpet, giving their admiring fans one more reason to run out and get inked.
For better or worse, it's the idea of symbolism that draws people to tattooing. People commonly seek designs that celebrate or commemorate significant events in their lives, such as the birth of a new baby or the passing of a loved one. Some people choose a symbol of an immense accomplishment, like surviving cancer or serving time in the armed forces.
We obviously have come a long, long way in the ability to articulate self expression, making getting a tattoo more and more acceptable in today’s society. Getting a tattoo is a way to display art that is deeply meaningful to the owner. It has become ok to ask someone what their tattoo stands for. In fact they wouldn't have it so prominently displayed if they didn't want you to notice it.
Tattoos have become iconic symbols of design. What better way for me to be able to incorporate my love for the art and tattooing than to combine it with our upcoming entertainment release- KISS Ikons.
KISS wanted to be different than other bands of their time- more theatrical, odd, and shocking-something to remember. They knew they didn’t want to go onstage looking like your “Average Joe” band in shirts and jeans. That is when they began experimenting with make-up, with small amounts of black, white and silver. The here-and-there on the face paint jobs eventually evolved into full-face designs.
It was these full-face designs that inspired me to draw four different tattoos, one for each band member of KISS- the Starchild, the Demon, the Spaceman, and the Catman. Thousands of designs are out there for people to choose from, with styles of tattooing ranging from your traditional Irezumi (Japanese tattooing) to the “Old School” sailor tattoos of sparrows, hearts and anchors. Incorporating the uniqueness of each band members’ iconic face paint with these traditional forms of tattoo design, I created four unique member specific tattoos that are sure to drive KISS fans wild.
KISS Ikons hits store shelves in mid-April, and my four unique tattoo designs (along with 14 other classic KISS tattoos) will be available in Target, Wal-Mart, and your local hobby shop. Here is a preview of my designs.
The Catman
The Spaceman
The Starchild
The Demon
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The Perfect Saturday
This past weekend featured the perfect Saturday. It was pouring rain (and would continue to do so all day long) when I headed out to the gym bright and early for my daily workout. But I didn’t linger around when I was finished because I had a better place to be on this rainy Saturday. Where you ask? There was a trading card show in our town this past weekend and I couldn’t wait to get there…
I showed up armed with my various lists of cards needed to finish sets I was working on. Everything from my 1965 Topps Baseball set, to singles of my favorite team (NY Yankees) and odd ball stuff in between…The show provided the perfect sanctuary from the deluge outside. As I walked the floor my spirit was restored as I remembered exactly why I love this hobby so much. Despite the fact that this was a relatively small regional show there still were all kinds of things to check out. Graded packs caught my eye immediately…I couldn’t remember the last time I saw an unopened pack of McHale’s Navy cards but I had some of those cards as a very young kid…
My buddy and co-worker Tom Farrell is one of my favorite people to attend a show with. The dude finds the craziest stuff on the floor. And the best part is his “presentation” of the most unique cards he has found. Tom loves to collect “world leader” and “explorer” cards. His big find this weekend was a 1952 Leif Ericson card. Not to be mistaken for Leif Garrett mind you... TF also scored a sweet 1969 Tom Day Topps football card which is quite simply a photo of a guy who seems happy with his place in life at that time. Not to mention he was a San Diego Super Charger and is wearing the sweet powder blue duds of that era.
I found some great ‘65s for my set (including a Lou Brock SP) as well as some other things (2007 Topps Heritage Baseball Derek Jeter SPs). But the best part was talking to people I’ve known in this industry for a long time. Guys and Gals who spend lots of weekends working shows making it possible for people like me to get a chance to pursue my passion. A person can get lost at a trading card show and I don’t mean physically…there is something to be said for memories, both old and new. And on this past Saturday I said hello to a few old cardboard friends (including a 1969 Horace Clarke card just like the one I once drew a mustache on) while meeting some new ones as I cracked open a few packs of the brand new 2009 baseball releases.
It was the perfect Saturday.
D.J.
I showed up armed with my various lists of cards needed to finish sets I was working on. Everything from my 1965 Topps Baseball set, to singles of my favorite team (NY Yankees) and odd ball stuff in between…The show provided the perfect sanctuary from the deluge outside. As I walked the floor my spirit was restored as I remembered exactly why I love this hobby so much. Despite the fact that this was a relatively small regional show there still were all kinds of things to check out. Graded packs caught my eye immediately…I couldn’t remember the last time I saw an unopened pack of McHale’s Navy cards but I had some of those cards as a very young kid…
My buddy and co-worker Tom Farrell is one of my favorite people to attend a show with. The dude finds the craziest stuff on the floor. And the best part is his “presentation” of the most unique cards he has found. Tom loves to collect “world leader” and “explorer” cards. His big find this weekend was a 1952 Leif Ericson card. Not to be mistaken for Leif Garrett mind you... TF also scored a sweet 1969 Tom Day Topps football card which is quite simply a photo of a guy who seems happy with his place in life at that time. Not to mention he was a San Diego Super Charger and is wearing the sweet powder blue duds of that era.
I found some great ‘65s for my set (including a Lou Brock SP) as well as some other things (2007 Topps Heritage Baseball Derek Jeter SPs). But the best part was talking to people I’ve known in this industry for a long time. Guys and Gals who spend lots of weekends working shows making it possible for people like me to get a chance to pursue my passion. A person can get lost at a trading card show and I don’t mean physically…there is something to be said for memories, both old and new. And on this past Saturday I said hello to a few old cardboard friends (including a 1969 Horace Clarke card just like the one I once drew a mustache on) while meeting some new ones as I cracked open a few packs of the brand new 2009 baseball releases.
It was the perfect Saturday.
D.J.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Press Pass 500
Yesterday four members of the Press Pass Team competed in the Press Pass 500. The PP500 is the 500-mile journey from Press Pass' Headquarters in Charlotte, NC to Daytona Beach, Florida. The team posted two impressive 1,200-second pit stops in South Carolina and St. Augustine.
The Jeep Commander fired on all six cylinders without any issue, although the SUV was loose in the turns going through Jacksonville. The team arrived in Daytona safely, and today we began preparations for our annual Daytona Photoshoot which we hold in the Goodyear Tower in the infield at Daytona.
Tomorrow each of the drivers will stop in at the photoshoot during their media day tour and take a few photos for Press Pass. We use these photos throughout the season, and the drivers also sign their Press Pass hats at the event. The hats are prizes in Wheels American Thunder.
To give you all an idea of what our trip to Daytona is like, we will be posting photos and stories from our trip. Here are some photos from around the track this morning at Daytona International Speedway. Enjoy!
Driving Under the Track
The Lake!
SAFER Barriers @ Turn 4
Coming out of Turn 4
From the Top of Turn 4 Looking Down
Flag Stand @ Start/Finish Line
Looking Down Pit Road
Empty Seats at the Start/Finish Line
Coming into Turn 3
Where We Lost a Legend
Stay tuned for more!
The Jeep Commander fired on all six cylinders without any issue, although the SUV was loose in the turns going through Jacksonville. The team arrived in Daytona safely, and today we began preparations for our annual Daytona Photoshoot which we hold in the Goodyear Tower in the infield at Daytona.
Tomorrow each of the drivers will stop in at the photoshoot during their media day tour and take a few photos for Press Pass. We use these photos throughout the season, and the drivers also sign their Press Pass hats at the event. The hats are prizes in Wheels American Thunder.
To give you all an idea of what our trip to Daytona is like, we will be posting photos and stories from our trip. Here are some photos from around the track this morning at Daytona International Speedway. Enjoy!
Entering DIS
Driving Under the Track
The Lake!
SAFER Barriers @ Turn 4
Coming out of Turn 4
From the Top of Turn 4 Looking Down
Flag Stand @ Start/Finish Line
Looking Down Pit Road
Empty Seats at the Start/Finish Line
Coming into Turn 3
Where We Lost a Legend
Stay tuned for more!
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