christian sternal

creative director | copywriter

In order to grow attendance at events nationwide, The National Hot Rod Association realized that it’d need to expand its audience base by telling a new story. But they’d have to do it without degrading their ability to also use their messaging to inform their base about upcoming events. Our solution: a campaign that democratizes speed—turns the strategy into a battle cry—and can be ultra flexible across any media channel.

In order to grow attendance at events nationwide, The National Hot Rod Association realized that it’d need to expand its audience base by telling a new story. But they’d have to do it without degrading their ability to also use their messaging to inform their base about upcoming events. Our solution: a campaign that democratizes speed—turns the strategy into a battle cry—and can be ultra flexible across any media channel.

It's For Anyone Who Wants it

The way we saw it, speed isn’t something you own. It’s something you experience with all your senses. Especially the crazy kind—the hell-raising, earth-shaking, hot rod kind. But the way a lot of people see it, this kind of speed is only meant to be enjoyed by a certain few—the gearheads, the grease monkeys and the nitro-minded. All we had to do was let the world know that’s BS. If you want it, NHRA has more than enough speed to go around.

ADDY, OC
Silver
Film, Video, & Sound – Internet Commercial – Single Spot – Any Length
2020

Telly Awards
Silver
Craft-Promotional Video
2020

NHRA’s battle-seasoned in-house crew built this wide-release promo version off the backbone and copy we provided for the brand version. They just swapped in their gruff go-to VO talent and dropped a killer ear-worm track on it.

"Speed For All"

Step one, create a bold concept, look and feel that ties all NHRA’s branded and co-branded communications together. Kick it off with an anthem spot designed to overload senses, rattle minds and tap into the primal thrill of being fast and first. 

“It’s loud, and hot, and cool all at once.”

A Whatever, Wherever, Whenever Approach

Step two, make everything modular and adaptable to any media environment—so that an entire constellation of designers, media partners, track owners and promoters can all use it to support a multitude of events each year. Final result: a gritty, powerful brand campaign and identity system design kit that included hand-crafted graphics, textures, treatment templates and design lock-ups along with comprehensive Style Guide loaded with samples and step-by-step instructions.

A Video Game?

Turns out they were really happy with the idea. Official NHRA Speed For All game kind of happy.

SVP CREATIVE/ECD/AD john zegowitz  |  CD/CW christian sternal  |  SR AD vu dang  |  AD Amy Higgins, Tim Auerbach |  EDITOR tim logan  |  CEO/FOUNDER  james schiefer, PRES/CHIEF STRAT OFFICER jeff roach  |  SVP BRAND SOLUTIONS tommy campagne  |  PROJECT MGR lauren harvey  [PRODUCTION]  EDITOR erik topolski (NHRA)  |  PRODUCER jeffrey young (NHRA)