MPMC in Sunny California Offers Unique Opportunity to Tell the AMSOIL Story

The value of things varies from person to person. Hence the saying, "One man's junk is another man's treasure."

The Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) is just such an event. Representatives from manufacturing firms across the continent gather in a California hotel and tell their stories for three days to members of the media covering the motorsports industry. On the surface this sounds as boring as whittling matchsticks, but for the media and businesses, it is one of the most exciting events of the year. Why? Because the meetings are a catalyst for making things happen.

Today is the third day in which editorial staff from all over the world are meeting with racing and high performance parts manufacturers in a series of face-to-face, 30 minute meetings. When all is said and done, most journalist and manufacturers will have conducted 42 such meetings.

The reason MPMC works is because journalists need stories to write about. Manufacturers needs media to get their stories told to the wider audiences they want to reach. In an age where content is king it is a win-win for everyone.

When all is said and done, some of you will likely read some of the AMSOIL stories we told in magazines and on websites that you read.

One of those stories is not really new because it's essentially who we are. Another is our EBR Building Legends Sweepstakes.

We love telling our story. Follow us on Facebook so we can tell you more.

Report From MPMC

The 2010 MPMC Media Trade Conference has moved to a brand new location, the recently renovated Radisson Suites Hotel in Covina, CA. Now in its ninth year, the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) has created a premiere event which enables its member companies to orchestrate three days of face-to-face meetings with members of the media, both print and electronic. MPMC is a subset of the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) whose annual car show in Vegas each November becomes a Mecca for performance and car enthusiasts worldwide.

The SEMA Show, because of its enormous size, is not the ideal forum for editors and journalists to get suitable face time with companies. For this reason MPMC was created to set aside a quieter space in time for making more intimate, undistracted presentations. Over a period of three days companies can have as many as forty meetings, not to mention the after hours opportunities for conducting additional business with one another.

One of the aims of the MPMC has been to raise public awareness for motorsports. Followers of AMSOIL INC. are well aware of the long time friendships we have forged within the various racing communities at all levels from the grass roots on up. (Recommended reading: the AMSOIL Racing Blog.)

As in years past AMSOIL representatives Ed Newman, director of advertising, and Karl Dedolph, director of aftermarket products, have enjoyed the privilege of being able to share the AMSOIL Story, new products and information resources for future technical articles that the media use to educate their readers and viewers. With its long history in synthetic lubrication, and as developer of the world's first synthetic motor oil to meet American Petroleum Institute certification standards, the company has decades of experience and welcomes opportunites like this to educate both consumers and the industry.

Wednesday evening the MPMC hosted a Performance Aftermarket Seminar at the NHRA Motorsports Museum at the Pomona Fairplex. The stroll back in time to the early years of rodding and motorsports history brought back many memories for all of us. The event included a panel discussion with industry leaders addressing contemporary issues. The nostalgic environment and optimistic observations by the panel left many feeling renewed confidence as we enter the new year.

Top right: Panel discussion at NHRA Museum. Left: The helmet of Bobby Unser is but one of many great racing legends recognized at the museum. Bottom: Ed Newman outlines new products and highlights information from amsoil.com for editors of Street Rodder magazine.

2009: It Was a Very Good Year

The end of another year is upon us, a time of reflection for many. Below is a recap of some events that helped us end the year on a positive note as we embark on the year ahead of us.

Early in the year, AMSOIL staff attended the MPMC Media Trade Conference in Los Angeles. This 3-day event draws manufacturers from all across the world to meet face to face with editors and media reps to help increase media understanding and exposure. The SEMA-sponsored event provides an arena for presentations of new products and sharing the AMSOIL story.

AMSOIL completed its third year as a sponsor of the National Street Rodder Association and has agreed to continue this relationship with North America’s grass roots classic car enthusiasts. Despite the tough economy America’s passion for antique and vintage cars continues unabated.

AMSOIL locked hands with Hot Rod magazine during Hot Rod Drag Week in September. AMSOIL was there to help crown "Hot Rod’s Fastest Street Car in America" in Muncie, Indiana.

The 2009 AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour wrapped up yet another set of eight successful cross-country tours including a stop once more here in Superior, Wisconsin, for what appears will become an annual event in itself. Street rodders across the Northland were here to meet and greet Road Tour captain Jerry Dixey and his band. Big thank you to Street Rodder magazine for steering in our direction.

For a third year AMSOIL provided sponsorship support for The Diesel Power Challenge and Top Truck Challenge. These events put vehicles and drivers through some pretty grueling paces. With staff on hand, AMSOIL helped crown champions in each. But just getting through these events in one piece is an achievement and every one of these teams proved worthy of honors.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Daytona Bike Week each hailed AMSOIL as the Official Oil for the second year, which solidified the company’s reputation among bikers. Both of these events draw hundreds of thousands of spectators and AMSOIL was on hand to help their engines hold up under the heat and long hours of riding.

AMSOIL also completed its third year of involvement in the AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Challenge. At PRI in December we not announced a continuation of this relationship but also announced the sponsorship of the 2010 AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge that will be kicking off next fall.

Much more can be written here, about cars we’ve had the privilege of lubricating and the many talented builders and craftsmen we’ve gotten to know this past year. Thanks to all -- builders, riders, event organizers and friends -- for another great year. We look forward sharing even greater success with you in 2010.

2009 MPMC Media Trade Conference Underway in L.A.

It was a big day in Washington D.C. today as a new president was sworn into office, and hundreds of millions from around the world watched the peaceful transition of power. Former presidents, vice presidents and other dignitaries were on hand for the historic gala occasion.

On the West Coast another gathering was taking place which, though smaller in scale, is designed to be influential for many companies in the auto industry. AMSOIL representatives were on hand again for the 8th annual MPMC Media Trade Conference. The Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) is a subdivision of the Special Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) which was established to raise public awareness for motorsports, one of the nation’s leading industries. The MPMC event strives to achieve this goal by bringing editors and manufacturers together for the purpose of educating influencers and increasing understanding through dialogue.
AMSOIL considers it a privilege to be involved with this elite group for the three-day event held at Embassy Suites LAX South in Los Angeles. Manufacturers from all over the globe gather for a series of face-to-face meetings with publishers, editors, and media reps from the leading consumer and trade publications.

Director of Aftermarket Products Karl Dedolph and Advertising Director Ed Newman presented the AMSOIL story and strengthened ties within the industry.

PHOTO: Ed Newman reviews information with Advanstar E-Media Sales Manager Dennis Carpenter

Three Days, 100 Manufacturers, A One-of-a-Kind Opportunity

The MPMC Media Trade Conference provides council-member manufacturers and the media with the unique opportunity to conduct dozens of one-on-one meetings in just three days.

Editors and publishers from the leading consumer and trade publications in the automotive aftermarket descend on Los Angeles to meet with a limited number of SEMA member manufacturers to learn their stories. A special focus of the event is uncovering what’s new, what’s on the leading edge of this dynamic industry. Three days of face-to-face meetings provided ample opportunity for Aftermarket Products Director Karl Dedolph and Advertising Director Ed Newman to share the AMSOIL story.

Featured products in the lubricants group included our Signature Series 0W-30, our new Severe Gear lubes, 0W-20, plus the educational Gear Lube Report. Editors also learned about our new brake fluids, our re-formulated P.i. Performance Improver, and several of our new Ea filter products. Each received the new Ea Filter video on CD.

The new Injen / AMSOIL co-branded air intake for diesel trucks was especially interesting to those editors in the truck markets. At the end of the day it is evident that AMSOIL has a story to tell, and it’s rewarding to be in the center of this exciting industry.