Mon 8 July: A great British Grand Prix weekend for Lewis Hamilton and a great one for our Diagonal Comms clients too. David Richards, chairman of Prodrive – the world-leading motorsport and advanced technology business which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year – was on the grid at Silverstone and interviews with him feature in national newspapers ahead of the race.
There was more great coverage for Buffalo Trace Bourbon – the flagship whiskey from the world’s most award-winning distillery. Their brand-new brand ambassador, the ‘perfectly untamed’ Guenther Steiner, gave his thoughts on the news that Ollie Bearman will race for his former team, Haas, next year.
Top of the agenda during our regular ‘over-delivery’ meeting – where we discuss how we can go above and beyond for all of our clients – is EventR. The app designed by a team of software developers led by former Formula 1 team principal, Otmar Szafnauer, to simplify team travel, now includes this summer’s Olympic Games among its in-built itineraries. It means that those travelling to Paris can plan their trips around the schedules of the events they want to watch. It’s a great development and keep your eyes peeled for lots of Olympics-related content from EventR in the coming weeks…
Tue 9 July: David Richards provides the soundtrack for the Diagonal team’s morning commute to our City of London offices. Prodrive’s chairman is the guest on this week’s episode of the Business Leader podcast which is released today. David explains how he built Prodrive from a team of just 14 people 40 years ago to the multi-faceted business employing 800 people today. It’s a fascinating insight and is available to listen to now via the Business Leader website and your chosen podcast provider.
After a planning session with our British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) media team to look ahead to the second half of the season, Diagonal MD Matt Bishop provides the reading material for the train journey home. The Bish’s brand-new Motor Sport column is published today, and he discusses the enduring competitiveness of Formula 1 veterans Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. At our Buffalo Trace media event last week, Guenther Steiner praised the pair’s physical fitness but questioned their mental strength at the ages of 39 and 43 respectively. ‘Both,’ writes the Bish, ‘remain supremely capable.’
Wed 10 July: Press release approved, shot list finalised, briefing document issued, and we’re all set for a very special announcement involving our client Patrick Heuzenroeder – the 18-year-old Australian racing driver competing in the GB3 Championship – ahead of the fifth round of his rookie season at Circuit Zandvoort, Netherlands, this weekend. See Friday’s diary entry for all the details!
Thu 11 July: We’re at the Goodwood Festival of Speed with our client the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Several of the Championship’s drivers (past and present), teams, and cars will be here over the next four days meeting fans, giving demonstrations, and taking part in question-and-answer sessions. The gates open at 07:00, and it is not long before the stand is full of fans seeking autographs and selfies with the likes of Tom Ingram – a three-time BTCC race winner this season. Pop down and take a look if you’re going to Goodwood this weekend.
Fri 12 July: A very happy Friday for GB3 racer Pat Heuzenroeder, who announces a brand-new collaboration with Hard Rock Cocktails. The Australian’s car will sport a new and distinctive livery at Zandvoort this weekend to mark the collaboration. After taking the covers off the car on Friday morning, Pat takes to the track for the first of two practice sessions, before a special Hard Rock launch event tonight. ‘The Racing Kelpie’ had his best-ever weekend at the previous round at the Hungaroring, Hungary, where he finished in the
Fri 12 July: A very happy Friday for GB3 racer Pat Heuzenroeder, who announces a brand-new collaboration with Hard Rock Cocktails. The Australian’s car will sport a new and distinctive livery at Zandvoort this weekend to mark the collaboration. After taking the covers off the car on Friday morning, Pat takes to the track for the first of two practice sessions, before a special Hard Rock launch event tonight. ‘The Racing Kelpie’ had his best-ever weekend at the previous round at the Hungaroring, Hungary, where he finished in the top five twice, and is determined to build on that momentum at Zandvoort. You can watch his three races – and see his new livery! – this weekend on YouTube at 11:55 on Saturday, and 09:10 and 15:25 on Sunday (all times UK, BST).
the top five twice, and is determined to build on that momentum at Zandvoort. You can watch his three races – and see his new livery! – this weekend on YouTube at 11:55 on Saturday, and 09:10 and 15:25 on Sunday (all times UK, BST).