The Kawasaki Ninja H2 motorcycle by Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. in Irvine landed on Popular Science magazine’s Best of What’s New 2015 list, which usually is a rundown of innovations, such as smartphone apps, electric race cars, aerospace developments, and advancements in wireless technology.
The Ninja model was highlighted for being the world’s first motorcycle from a major manufacturer to feature a supercharger.
“This is an affirmation of Kawasaki’s hard work to develop such a well designed and engineered motorcycle,” Kevin Allen, Kawasaki manager of public relations and brand experience, said in a statement. “Kawasaki Heavy Industries worked with Kawasaki Gas Turbine & Machinery Company and Kawasaki Aerospace Company to develop the supercharger and body work on the Ninja H2, along with the Ninja H2 R. [It’s] a product that we’re extremely proud of.”
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Pacific Investment Management Co. in Newport Beach is looking to hire a senior brand strategist/brand manager who “will help architect the next chapter in PIMCO’s history and define and/or redefine marketplace perceptions and attitudes toward the firm.”
PIMCO, which at one point had about $2 trillion in assets, has seen material outflows of investor money over the past couple of years, including after the departure of co-founder Bill Gross, its former chief investment officer.
“Both the firm and our brand are at a critical inflection point,” the company wrote in the job ad posted on LinkedIn. “After more than four decades of a founder-led business model and dominance in the fixed income category, PIMCO is emerging from one of the most challenging years in its history to map a new path forward.”
The newly created role will report to the global head of marketing and includes “ideation of global brand positioning, design and development of marketing programs that support brand strategy, direct oversight of the global creative team and leadership of the firm’s paid media agency relationship,” the posting says.
Hyundai Bowl
Hyundai Motor America Inc. in Fountain Valley is adding the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers to its National Football League sponsorship play.
“Hyundai is not only connecting with football fans at a national level, but in the community where fans really show their passion,” Trea Reedy, Hyundai’s senior group manager of experiential marketing, said in a news release. “Both Minnesota and Pittsburgh have dedicated and loyal fan bases and by partnering with them we are able to strengthen our footprints in those markets and drive traffic to our dealers.”
The automaker will display two vehicles at all of the Vikings’ home games and one vehicle at all Steelers home games for the rest of the season. It also will give away co-branded Hyundai merchandise to Vikings and Steelers fans and run ads on local TV and radio outlets in both markets and on the teams’ websites.
Hyundai digital signage and its logo will be on the media backdrop during team-related announcements at the Vikings’ stadium. The automaker will also be the naming rights sponsor for the “Hyundai Club” at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Vikings’ new home, which will open in August. It also reserved naming rights for the “Hyundai Club West” at the Steelers’ Heinz Field and will be featured on LED and video boards throughout the stadium.
The automaker already had sponsorship agreements with the Arizona Cardinals and the Houston Texans, which are featured in Hyundai ads “D-Gate” and “Field Goal.” Advantage International negotiated the Steelers and Vikings deals on behalf of Hyundai, according to the company.
