It’s already been one of the most exciting, unpredictable and competitive Formula One season’s yet, so at the halfway point of the campaign we thought we’d take stock and inform you of some of the highlights of KHP’s year so far. 2012 has been incredible (and incredibly busy!) already for the agency with projects taking the team from Bahrain to Monaco, to Hockenheim, Germany and Austin, Texas. Below please find a short summary of some of the main developments from the past 6 months.

KHP and Hockenheimring: 27 years of Partnership

Since 1985, the partnership between KHP and Hockenheimring GmbH has been of the most successful in the motorsports business and still stands as the longest contract in Formula 1™. With the 2012 German Grand Prix just around the corner, KHP and the Hockenheimring will be joining forces once more to deliver a world-class race weekend experience for the whole family.

The Santander German Grand Prix, to be held on the weekend of 20-22 July, will be especially notable as it marks the 80th anniversary of the world-famous circuit, while also taking place at the season’s half way point, when the battle for the drivers’ championship proving to be one of the most open and unpredictable in years.

Always a popular race with regional and international fans alike, this year’s competition will take on an added dimension, with five German drivers competing, including the seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher and regional hero Sebastian Vettel, who is in strong contention to defend his Driver’s Championship. As one of the oldest existing circuits, the Hockenheimring is a particularly special venue, with the tremendously popular “Motodrom” one of the unique highlights that sets this track apart as one of the most special venues for any driver to race.

KHP helps celebrate 20 Years Porsche Supercup

Also taking place this year at Hockenheim will be the GP2, GP3 and Porsche Supercup races, with the latter also marking its 20th anniversary, whose celebrations KHP will be assisting with throughout the weekend. KHP has played an integral role in helping Porsche develop the Supercup series over the past two decades, helping to establish it as an important and hugely popular fixture of Formula 1™ race weekends. The Porsche Supercup is renowned for its competitiveness, professionalism and its first rate drivers and teams which has ensured that it currently stands as the longest running support event in the Formula 1™ calendar. The Hockenheimring will provide a fitting venue to its 20th Anniversary celebrations and KHP will be on hand to make sure everyone parties in style.

Circuit of The Americas partners with KHP

Circuit of The Americas recently announced its latest partnership KHP Consulting. “The KHP team has proved to be a key resource for our staff as we prepare for our first FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX™,” said Julie Loignon, vice president of public and community relations for Circuit of The Americas. “Opening a new Grand Prix venue and preparing for the tens of thousands of race fans and national and international media representatives that will attend a Formula 1™ event takes careful planning and execution. KHP has significant expertise upon which our management team can draw, and the consulting firm’s years of experience serving the Formula 1™ community will be invaluable to us as we move quickly towards our grand opening this fall.” KHP will work with Circuit of The Americas’ marketing, public relations and guest services departments to develop exciting, innovative programs and accommodations to promote a positive experience for teams, drivers and fans.

“The return of Formula 1 to the United States is an important milestone for all those involved in the sport,” said Katja Heim, CEO of KHP Consulting. “We have 27 years of experience working in F1, and look forward to working with Circuit of The Americas to promote the Circuit and its inaugural Grand Prix in the American market. KHP has experience across a variety of areas, from operational support to commercial activation. We are happy with our progress in Austin thus far and look forward to working towards a successful event this November.”

KHP helps LG unveil World’s biggest and slimmest OLED TV in Monaco

KHP worked with longstanding sponsor, LG, at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix to unveil its latest groundbreaking product: the 55inch OLED TV, the world’s biggest and slimmest wall-filling television. Just 4mm thick, the vibrant, super-slim 3D screens are LG’s next big home cinema venture, offering a stunningly detailed and rich image.

Tasked with helping LG to deliver a successful launch event for this new product in the world’s most glamorous location, KHP worked closely with the team at LG to arrange a suitably glamorous unveiling gala for the new product with current Formula 1 World Champion, Sebastian Vettel sharing a stage with racing legend David Coulthard, film director Jean-Jacques Annaud and model and winner of Australia’s Next Top Model, Gemma Sanderson at Monaco’s renowned Salle des Etoiles. The timing of the lavish function, just days before the most glamorous sports event of the year took place in the streets of Monte Carlo, only added to the allure of the occasion.

The new LG 55inch OLED TV was perfectly at home at the prestigious venue, surrounded by such exalted company, enthralling the carefully selected, high-profile guest-list with its innovative new design and picture quality.

KHP at the 2012 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix

KHP’s relationship with the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is one of Formula 1™’s most successful partnerships, dating back to before the inaugural Grand Prix staged in the island Kingdom in 2004. Indeed, the ‘Bahraini Experience’ where KHP helped introduce the new circuit to the world at Monza in 2003, is still regarded as one of the standout events amongst the Formula 1™ community. KHP also worked alongside the BIC to develop the highly successful ‘Yalla Bahrain’ community engagement programme, which continues to run annually in the weeks preceding the Bahrain Grand Prix. Indeed, KHP has been providing BIC with on-going support ever since 2003/04 when it won the ‘Formula One Race Promoter’s Trophy’ for Best Grand Prix. Since those heady days, the KHP has been involved on a variety of levels, from supporting the circuit organisation, managing the international media to helping develop the F1 Village entertainment programmes.

And so it proved again at the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix, when KHP once more supported the circuit across a variety of hospitality packages, which proved to be a hit with all who attended.

With Bahrain scheduled to remain a mainstay on the F1 Calendar, KHP is excited about future opportunities to work with the BIC and continuing to provide a first class race weekend for drivers, teams and the world’s Formula 1™ fans

Finally…

We just wanted to share the first in a series of awesome animations by McLaren Animation.

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