In these days of social distancing, the community can’t gather for events, so as a public relations and marketing firm we have to be a little more creative.

Long time Aardvark client, Park Place Dealerships, has a storied history of launching vehicles in fun and engaging ways. As coronavirus shut down gatherings, Aardvark was asked to help create a virtual “get together” to launch the new 2020 Land Rover Defender in a fun and engaging manner.

Working with Park Place’s experiential marketing director and the social media team, Aardvark Communications brought in Austin influencer, Amanda Tatom, to be the host of the virtual event. We tasked Candlelight Films to handle the work behind the camera while the Aardvark team oversaw the project, including writing the script.

The virtual get together included Rosedale Kitchen and Bar mixologist, Aaron Hernandez, demonstrating a step-by-step guide to create the “Landy,” a cocktail named after the new Land Rover. Executive Chef Janelle Reynolds will show us how to make Seared Halloumi with Tomato and Zucchini. Rosedale Kitchen and Bar has shared both recipes. Jaguar Land Rover North Austin revealed the much-anticipated new 2020 Land Rover Defender. 

Guests were invited to join the event on Park Place’s YouTube, Facebook, and IGTV channels.

Land Rover brought back its Defender this year after a 23-year hiatus. It has always had something of a cult following in the U.S. because it couldn’t be purchased here. The 2020 Defender is a rugged off-road vehicle, but it’s also a luxury SUV that’s equally at home on the urban streets of downtown Austin or deep in the back roads of the Hill Country. 

On April 1, 1992, David Alvey founded Aardvark Studios (later incorporated as Aardvark Communications, Inc.)

It was not coincidental that we registered our new business on April Fools’ Day.

Our goal was to build a company on the simple principles of honesty and integrity while delivering an exemplary product on time and on budget.

We are proud to say that 28 years later, Aardvark Communications is still operating under these principles.

We’ve weathered terrible storms over the years, like the aftermath of 9/11, the economic downturn of 2008, and the current pandemic. Despite these challenges, we’ve developed long-term relationships with many clients, team members and peers.

We don’t know what the future holds. But we know if we are honest and open in our communications, then we will not only survive together – we will thrive.

Amid all the fear and uncertainty of coronavirus (COVID-19) employees and clients are looking for leadership. The barrage of news can be overwhelming – especially for small and medium-sized businesses.  While local governments, healthcare facilities, and large corporations have a team dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak, small to medium-sized businesses also need to be proactive in communicating with stakeholders.  Aardvark Communications has more than 25 years of crisis communications experience. We deliver results that help our clients create peace of mind for their employees and customers. If you need help, we can develop a plan and messaging for your stakeholders.

Original story featured on thegentlemanracer.com

At a private event held in private jet hanger, Koenigsegg Dallas unveiled one of just 80 Koenigsegg Regera’s in the world to owners Eddie and Laura Lee. Seeing a Regera is a rare treat, with so few being produced and even less being delivered in the USA the Swedish supercar will stand out when it is seen on the streets of Dallas. In the Swedish language, Regera means “to reign” or “to rule” and this 1,500 horsepower hypercar will certainly rule the road or on the track, rocketing effortlessly from 0-to-60 mph in 2.8 seconds… 0-to-249 mph in less than 20 seconds… making it the fastest-accelerating car in the world. It is electronically restricted to a maximum speed of 255 mph.

The Lee’s Regera is number 24 of 80… chassis number 168, which is a very fortunate set of numbers in Chinese culture. The number is believed to be lucky because in Cantonese it sounds similar to: “one path to prosperity.” The number one is “one.” Six represents “path.” And eight sounds like “Prosperity.”

“When I first got involved with Koenigsegg, I found out they number their chassis sequentially, the very first chassis was 01, the next 02, etc. My 2009 Koenigsegg CCXR is chassis number 62. I asked Koenigsegg what number my Regera chassis would be. When they told me it would be number 168, I shared the story of this set of lucky numbers. They made a very specialized logo for my car, which you’ll see on the exterior of my car. It really was meant to be.” – Eddie Lee

With a curb weight (including all liquids and a full tank of gas) of about 3,500 pounds, the Regera offers an optional aero-pack for increased downforce to keep the lightweight supercar well-grounded, including an extended front splitter, carbon winglets along the sides and external aero-wings on the rear, in addition to the retractable and active rear wing. Utilizing a hybrid drivetrain unlike anything ever previously produced, it is powered by both a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine and three electric motors for a total combined output of 1.11 megawatts. The unique single speed Koenigsegg Direct Drive unit allows the Regera to almost instantly reach maximum thrust.

“This Regera is such a special car because it’s really the vision of one man: Christian von Koenigsegg, Eddie’s Sweet Mandarin Pearl exterior with exposed carbon fiber is a great selection. We’re very proud of this car. We’re in a special period in time where these exceptional cars are being built in such limited volume, each car is a hand-crafted work of art. There will only be 80 Regeras in the entire world. And each one is different.” –Park Place Premier Collection General Manager Heath Strayhan.

Koenigsegg’s exclusive Autoskin robotics allows the owner to open and close the front luggage door, the rear engine cover, and both passenger and driver doors by remote control. The car literally transforms at the touch of a button. The rear clamshell, which is a single piece of carbon fiber, lifts for fueling and engine access. The doors gracefully lift up and away for easy ingress and egress. The system uses lightweight hydraulics, soft close mechanisms and proximity sensors to operate the doors in an effortless and fluid motion that is as practical as it is breathtaking.

In addition to his CCXR and Regera, Eddie Lee has Koenigsegg’s latest creation on order: the Jesko, named for Jesko von Koenigsegg, the father of company founder and CEO Christian von Koenigsegg. Unveiled last year at the Geneva International Motor Show, and revealed in a private event in Dallas last summer, the Jesko takes everything Koenigsegg has developed to date and puts it into an even lighter, more powerful megacar. The Lee’s Jesko is scheduled to be delivered mid-2021.

Located at 5300 Lemmon Avenue near Love Field, Park Place Premier Collection features Koenigsegg Dallas, Rolls-Royce Motorcars Dallas, Bentley Dallas, Park Place Maserati and McLaren Dallas.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2505160983076971

Aardvark Communications has been along for the ride with Isabella Alexus’ story since day one, when she was born inside her mom’s car at Park Place Lexus Plano. We were thrilled to help plan and execute her first birthday party at the dealership (and several others before the family moved out of state.) We were happy to see her story come full circle when Lexus’ Corporate agency Team One recently shot a TV commercial at the Plano dealership. Isabella Alexus, you were certainly a beautiful baby… and, baby, look at you now!

2020 McLaren GT Luxe Coupe

IRVING, Texas (February 9, 2020) – Does anything make the heart beat faster than shiny new paint, soft leather, and the rev of an engine? This Valentine’s Day, Park Place Dealerships has made choosing the perfect gift a little easier by selecting some of the hottest cars for the love of your life. After all, on February 14, going a little over the top with the ultimate luxury gift, is never a bad idea.

The options are as gorgeous as the love of your life.

McLaren GT

The old rules will tell you that a lighter, mid-engine performance car can’t accommodate you and your luggage for longer adventures. That’s where the McLaren GT steps in. Offering plenty of storage areas for your morning tee time, afternoon shopping, or a weekend getaway with the spouse. This is the ultimate daily driver with a lot of pizazz.

Maserati Levante

The Levante offers everything you’d expect of a Maserati—from snarling responsiveness to long-distance refinement. With a Ferrari powertrain, racy looks, and exotic interior appointments, this luxury SUV is a breath of fresh air…until the acceleration takes your breath away.

Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge Convertible

Crafted to perfection and pure in form, the Black Badge Dawn simmers with potential. Revel in the immersive open-top four-seat drive with enhanced torque, refined suspension and an optional sports exhaust that delivers a more spirited driving experience.

Bentley Bentayga V8

Contemporary, bold, styling and unparalleled levels of craftsmanship provides a sleek, sporty look, while the new cutting-edge V8 engine delivers instant acceleration and smooth power. This agile SUV is a pleasure to drive both in the city and on the open road, accompanied by the satisfying sound of the Bentley V8.

Porsche Macan AWD

The Porsche Macan is a compact SUV that combines sportiness, design and everyday practicality. With its dynamic look, the Macan is unmistakably a sports car, that will also whisk you away on your next adventure.

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Coupe

Developed from the racetrack up to be a pure sports car, the AMG GT Coupe’s 469-hp V8 creates an ideal balance of control, confidence and composure. It accelerates ferociously, slices confidently into tight turns, and rewards you with its top-notch luxury.

Lexus LC 500 Coupe

With a platform built specifically for the LC, a highly rigid chassis and a thundering engine note, this beauty connects you to the road like never before. The LC 500 coupe can take you 0-60 MPH in 4.4 seconds with 471 horsepower and will have you zipping up and down the highway in world-class luxury.

Volvo XC90 Hybrid

Electrified powertrains, smart connectivity services and a uniquely Scandinavian sense of craftsmanship and ingenuity, the new XC90 Hybrid is the luxury SUV that offers power, responsibility, and space. With seating for seven, the Volvo XC90 is perfect for those long trips with the family or a comfortable getaway for two.

Roses and chocolate are sweet, but your true love deserves that one unforgettable gift to make their heart race. Give the unexpected Valentine’s Day gift of a luxury car that will surprise and delight your partner for years to come.

About Park Place Dealerships

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and today, the company employs more than 2,000 people and operates 18 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Karma, Koenigsegg, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

Episcopal School of Dallas (ESD) has an outstanding lacrosse program. The season kicked off this week for the men’s and women’s team. Aardvark Communications works with ESD to highlight the amazing talent on and off the field that attend the school.

Check out the full story on The Preston Hallow Lifestyle

Aardvark’s client, CITYROW is officially opening February 8th! Join us from 12 – 4 PM at 1314 West McDermott Drive, Suite 140 in Allen, TX for their grand opening celebration!

Originally Featured on NewsRadio 1080 KRLD AM on January 24, 2020

DALLAS (KRLD) – The TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is holding a workshop Saturday at indoor tennis courts at Lifetime Plano. The foundation is raising money for pediatric cancer research.

The foundation is named for Connor Cruse, who died in 2009 at eight years old, four years after being diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma.

“When I see my adult friends struggle with cancer, I know how difficult it is and how harsh the treatment is,” says Joy Cruse, Connor’s mom. “Just think of these little kids going through the same thing. Yet, the government, when they fund research for cancer, they give only three percent of their funding to childhood cancer research. Basically, we use drugs made for adults and hope they work well on children.”

The foundation raises money for pediatric cancer research. The TeamConnor Foundation says cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 15 in the United States. The foundation says about 1,800 kids die from cancer in the United States each year.

“A lot of these kids, even if they survive cancer, have a lot of chronic illnesses later on in life, like heart problems and diabetes,” Joy Cruse says. “They might get secondary cancers, which is what happened to Connor. He got a second cancer from his radiation treatment, and that was the cancer that took his life. We just need better treatments for these kids that are a lot less toxic and harmful.”

Registration for “Smashing Childhood Cancer” begins at 12 p.m. Saturday at Lifetime Plano Indoor Tennis Courts. The first session of drills starts at 1 p.m., followed by a lunch and exhibition game at 3 and a second round of drills at 4 p.m.