2013 PROFILE DOCUMENT CHRIS ‘ATKO’ ATKINSON
CHRIS ‘ATKO’ ATKINSON
OVERVIEW Regarded as Australia’s most successful rally driver ever, Chris Atkinson has achieved 41 stage wins in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), reaching the podium on six occasions throughout his career. Chris is also the current champion of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), winning with the Skoda MRF Team in 2012. Chris has amassed incredible experience in the WRC as a: • • • • •
Factory driver for the Subaru World Rally Team for five years (2004-2008); Driver for Citroen Junior World Rally Team in 2009 Ireland WRC Event; Team-mate to Ken Block in the Monster World Rally Team in Mexico WRC 2012; Number three driver for the Citroen World Rally Team in Finland WRC 2012; and Number one driver for the factory backed MINI Works WRC Team for five events in the 2012 WRC.
With plans to race in selected 2013 WRC events including on home soil in the Coates Hire Rally Australia WRC event in September, Chris is preparing to have his most successful rally season on record whilst defending his APRC title in 2013. Current discussions are progressing well with multiple car manufacturers regarding a full-time factory drive in the WRC in 2014, the future for Atkinson couldn’t be brighter. One of the fastest rally drivers in the world, Chris is an incredibly fit athlete, who focuses all of his time away from his racing career on training and supporting his wife Ashley and three year old daughter Ayva. Prior to his career in motorsport, Chris was a stockbroker after graduating at Bond University in commerce, majoring in finance and accounting in 1999. Chris understands better than most the importance of developing successful and long-term business relationships with partners. We assure you that both AME and Chris are committed to ensuring all sponsors and investors are afforded significant return on investment. We appreciate your time and consideration towards a potential working relationship and look forward to hearing from you soon.
CHRIS ‘ATKO’ ATKINSON
BRAND PROFILE Chris has vast experience driving maa variety of rally vehicles for multiple manufacturers over his career, most notably driving for four different manufacturers in 2012 in selected FIA WRC & APRC Events. Chris, or ‘Atko’ as he’s more commonly referred, has established an highly auspicious and aspirational personal brand that resonates with today’s automotive customers. See below Chris' key personal brand attributes: •
Strength – Chris is not only physically fit and strong, but also has the mental strength to handle long, intense and stressful WRC rally Events and Championships. Chris is product of an active, healthy and positive approach to life and overcoming adversity no matter the circumstances.
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Passion – Chris has endured the highs and lows of being a factory World Rally driver after competing in six WRC seasons as a factory driver, Chris is more passionate than ever and will go beyond what is expected of him by your customers, partners and stakeholders.
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Composure – Chris' vast world rally experience has taught him to know when to push and when to conserve, experience that can’t be taken lightly in world rally. Chris refuses to be complacent however, embracing every opportunity for greater challenge, confident of achieving all goals through his unwavering passion.
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Innovation – Chris will work closely with you across all aspects of this partnership intent on offering innovative experiences, new marketing strategies and new ways for your brand to target your key customers.
2012 SOCIAL MEDIA COVERAGE
2012 SOCIAL MEDIA COVERAGE Chris Atkinson’s profile skyrocketed in 2012 not only from the signing with Ken Block in the Monster World Rally Team but also his subsequent partnership with Monster Energy. The announcement and coverage that followed of Ken Block and Chris Atkinson in the WRC Mexico Event was published consistently on numerous mass-following social media and website platforms including DC Shoes, Monster Energy and both Ken and Chris' personal social media pages, ultimately broadcast to a cumulative audience of over 27 million people around the world: TOTAL FOLLOWERS – 27,148,698 people worldwide * * Followers on respective Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages as at March 26 2012 for Mexico WRC Coverage In May 2012, Chris' profile received additional coverage from a Monster Energy sponsored Sprint Car Challenge with Jamie Whincup, Mick Doohan, Chris Atkinson & Shane Stewart. The eight minute viral video and associated images were broadcast to another combined international audience of 16.3 million people. Chris was also one of MINI Global and MINI Motorsport’s leading athletes for their respective Social Media platforms, broadcasting stories, video’s and imagery surrounding his WRC entry consistently to over 3.4 million followers of associated MINI social media platforms between August and November in 2012. With his personal social media channels doubling in size since the beginning of 2012 to the beginning of 2013, Chris’ social media followers are now in excess of 21,400 people. Chris’ presence on YouTube would be desirable for many athletes in Australia and around the world. In 2012, his videos received well over 100,000 views alone and his largest video on YouTube to date has received over 1.6 million views. Chris has also established his own YouTube/atkowrc Channel.
CAREER SUMMARY Chris ‘Atko’ Atkinson stormed onto the WRC scene in 2004 finishing fifth overall in his privately run Group N Subaru Impreza at his home event – the 2004 Telstra Rally Australia WRC Event. The result was made more extraordinary by the fact that his Impreza was significantly less powerful than the world’s best factory-run teams’ competing in the event. This immediately opened doors for the Queenslander and Chris was quickly snapped up by the Factory Subaru World Rally Team for their 2005 WRC campaign. Chris competed with the Factory Subaru World Rally Team each year thereafter including 2008, where he tasted the most success of his career finishing 5th overall in the WRC Championship reaching the podium on five occasions. After a number of difficult years of rally driving, 2012 proved integral to the resurgence and rebirth of Chris’ career. Racing with the Monster World Rally Team alongside Ken Block in 2012 boosted Chris’ international profile. This was closely followed by a solid performance in the Finland WRC event in August with the Citroen World Rally Team, before finalising a factory drive with the MINI World Rally Team for the remaining five events of the 2012 WRC season. To top it all off, Chris still managed to win the 2012 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship despite not competing in the Japanese round due to his commitments with MINI in the WRC. Consequently, such career achievements have Chris widely regarded and established as the most successful Australian world rally driver of all-time.
CAREER SUMMARY ü 6 x Podiums Overall in his World Rally Championship career ü 41 x Stage Wins in the World Rally Championship l 2012 – Champion, FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship with Skoda MRF Factory Team. Competed in 7 WRC Events. Best results – Champion of APRC, 5th WRC Germany & 6th WRC Italy with MINI Works WRC Team, finished in the top 10 in 4 out of the 5 WRC Events for the MINI Works WRC Team l 2011 - 2nd, Asia-Pacific Rally Championship with Proton Factory Team Best results – Won 3 rounds of the 6 round Championship l 2010 - 5th, Asia-Pacific Rally Championship with Proton Factory Team l 2009 - 14th, World Rally Championship with Citroen Junior World Rally Team after only competing in one WRC Event in 2005. Best result – 5th at WRC Ireland l 2008 - 5th, World Rally Championship with Subaru World Rally Team Best results – 2nd at both WRC Mexico and WRC Argentina, 3rd at WRC Monte Carlo, WRC Jordan and WRC Finland. l 2007 - 7th, World Rally Championship with Subaru World Rally Team Best results – 4th at both WRC Monte Carlo and WRC Finland l 2006 - 10th, World Rally Championship with Subaru World Rally Team Best results – 4th WRC Japan l 2005 - 12th, World Rally Championship with Subaru World Rally Team Best results – 3rd at WRC Japan and 4th at WRC Australia l 2004 - Champion, Asia Pacific Super 1600 Championship Best results – Champion of Asia Pacific Super 1600 and achieved 5th overall in WRC Australia
CHRIS ‘ATKO’ ATKINSON
WRC RESURGENCE IN 2013 The 2013 FIA World Rally Championship is expected to be one of the biggest in the sports history. The Australian WRC Event is also back on the calendar in 2013 and will be massive event for Chris Atkinson and his partners, see below all key details: 2013 FIA World Rally Championship World’s largest car manufacturer Volkswagen enters the WRC with a factory team in 2013 Both Toyota and Hyundai announce plans to enter factory teams in the WRC in 2014 Red Bull Media House have become the Promoter of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship Red Bull Media House in conjunction with the FIA will promote and broadcast all 13 events of the WRC around the world l Red Bull Media House and the new car manufacturers have financially stabilised the WRC with quick expansion plans and massive international interest anticipated in 2013-2014 l l l l
2013 Coates Hire Rally Australia WRC Event – September 13-15 l Chris Atkinson has signed with the Naming Event sponsor to become an ambassador for Coates Hire in 2013 l As Australia’s most successful ever world rally driver and only current Australian driver in the WRC, Chris will be the ambassador and major draw card for all spectators and television viewers of the Event l Some of Chris’ best results ever in the WRC have taken place at Australian WRC Events l Major promotions and media coverage is expected around Chris during the July - September period l Free-to-air television deal to be announced soon for the Australian WRC Event featuring significant coverage across the Event weekend in Australia and around the world l NSW Government, Destination NSW and It’s On in NSW government and tourism bodies are planning significant funding and promotional campaigns around the Event which will feature Chris Atkinson prominently l Chris’ profile in Australia and internationally is to grow dramatically in 2013
CHRIS ‘ATKO’ ATKINSON
2013 CALENDAR – EVENTS l 07-10 March
Round 3 WRC - Rally Guanajuato Mexico, Mexico
l 17-19 May
Round 1 APRC - International Rally of Whangarei, New Zealand
l 14-16 June
Round 2 APRC - Rallye de Nouvelle Caledonie, New Caledonia
l 03-05 July
VIC Corporate Rally Experience Days – Mt Cotteral, Werribee VIC
l 12-14 July
Round 3 APRC - International Rally of Queensland, Sunshine Coast QLD
l 01-04 August
Round 8 WRC – Neste Oil Rally Finland, Finland
l 23-25 August
Round 4 APRC - International Rally of Malaysia, Malaysia
l 12-15 September
Round 10 WRC – Coates Hire Rally Australia, Coffs Harbour NSW
l 27-29 September
Round 5 APRC - Rally Hokkaido, Japan
l 21 Sep – Oct 02
12 Day Exhibition / Show at Royal Melbourne Show, Melbourne Showgrounds, VIC
l 08-10 October
NSW Corporate Rally Experience Days - Hampton State Forest, NSW Australia
l 01-03 November
Round 6 APRC - International Rally of China, China
CHRIS ‘ATKO’ ATKINSON
SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS Premium Team and/or Chris Atkinson Sponsorships include: λ 2013 FIA World Rally Championship Finland and/or Australian Events λ 2013 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship Season λ Branding on Chris' APRC MRF Skoda Rally Team and/or WRC Racing Vehicle(s) λ Branding on Chris’ APRC and/or World Rally Team Racing Attire λ Branding on Chris' APRC and/or World Rally Team Merchandise λ Branding on Chris' APRC and/or WRC race helmet λ Exclusive access to Chris Atkinson’s IP inclusive of the following; racing and off-track vision from the APRC season, the WRC Finland and/or WRC Australia Events and all related media, communications, social media, interviews and imagery from both respective WRC Events for use in any brand communication, advertising and/or promotional requirements λ Client engagement opportunities - Driving days, sporting days, dinners and events with staff and/or customers Personal or Ambassador Sponsorships of Chris Atkinson include: λ Brand Ambassador λ Exclusive access to Chris Atkinson’s IP λ Client engagement opportunities - Driving days, sporting days, dinners and events with staff and/ or key customers λ Motivational speaking - Chris details his career, the highs and lows and what motivates him each day to keep striving to be back full-time in the FIA World Rally Championship in 2013. λ Chris Atkinson World Rally Experience Days -
CHRIS ‘ATKO’ ATKINSON
CONTACT US
Thanks for your time and consideration. Ryan Sanderson Director +61 407 625 825 Ryan@amemanagement.com.au
Adam Bailey Director +61 412 686 148 Adam@amemanagement.com.au
AME Management Pty Ltd ACN: 138 557 972 5 Woolboard Road Port Melbourne, VIC Australia, 3207 PH: FAX: WEB:
+61 (3) 9646 6922 +61 (3) 8623 3623 www.amemanagement.com.au