We created theses “Save the Date” magnets to be handed out at the International Motorcycle Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The J&J Powersports booth will be conveniently located directly across the aisle from the Yamaha & Star Motorcycles’ corporate display. Which is great, because it gets people excited about the Yamaha product. We want to grab that enthusiasm, and let people know that J&J Powersports will have the only Factory Demo truck in the entire state. We decided that a simple hand-out or flyer would have the right impact, since many people get a lot of paper marketing materials at the show, so we designed a piece that had some weight to it: A magnet. They are 6 inches wide, and 2.5 inches tall; too big to get lost in your wallet, and just the right size to get all the information in a compact area. In order to expand on the content, we created a special page on the J&J website, that had further information about the event.

Ok, so Foundry Cycles is having a contest. A contest where 5 lucky bike riders will have the opportunity to shred on a brand new bike…. free of charge. Truly a Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket kind of opportunity (speaking of which… “Golden Ticket” would be a sick name for a bike). So whats the catch? Basically, each contestant has to pitch themselves in such a way that shows they will be a successful “Brand Ambassador” for Foundry, and be out there on the road & trails spreading the good word about the company, not to mention rolling a bran-spankin new sleek carbon 29er.

Do you think I thought I might have a chance to win such a contest? Absolutely! But as I sit here writing this essay, do you think I have a slew of great ideas pouring out, demonstrating the traits of a great brand manager? Absolutely not! Thats because the stakes are so high! I would give a body part to be chosen as a brand guy for Foundry! From the moment I laid eyes on the Router, I had the same old fashioned feeling I had 10 years ago when I met my wife. The butterflies, the anxiousness, the cheesy music. Sure, I can envision myself winning the contest… but the execution of such an essay to a bike company that simply takes my breath away, is a formidable opponent.

Not to mention, that the cycling community has a wellspring of creative talent which makes this competition all the more challenging. If chosen, I’d be truly honored. If not chosen, I’m certain that the winner will be an excellent candidate

So.. now for the serious, “you should pick me to be a Foundry Tradesman” sales pitch:

I believe that I would be an acceptable candidate to become a Foundry brand ambassador, because my passion for marketing is paralleled only by my passion for bikes. I do in fact own a GoPro, so I will have the ability to post footage of my Foundry escapades. I am the manager of a bike club “RAD” which gathers weekly, and contains skill levels ranging from expert to beginner (if I get a new foundry, my old bike will become a “loaner” to anyone new who needs a bike). I am also a founder & managing partner of Darius, a professional Marketing & Design for the powersports industry; and it goes without saying, that the powersports community is seemingly “across the street” from the cycling community. This summer I’ll be hitting the trails, both near & far, and traveling around in the Darius rig to various races & events. I live close enough to my workplace, that bicycle commutes are part of my daily intake. I really truly enjoy talking to people about bikes, and never to busy to spend the time & make new friends. It is because of my passion for bikes, that I set out to become a marketing & design professional in the first place; and also why I would be a great fit to become a Foundry Tradesman.

Heres a few pics that show how I interact with bikes. I put together both of the bikes pictured, as well as designed the RAD t-shirts that my club is wearing. Additionally, I embedded a video of the “Herlihy Boy” skit from SNL, because it totally reminds me of how bad I want to win!

The Original Murdered-Out XC rig

Myself (on the right) with a few of my RAD colleagues

Heres a shirt that we designed for “Organization of the Unorganized” a Viper Club from Houston Texas.

Just got the bodywork back from the painters; just a few more odd + ends and then she’ll be ready to rip! Look for this bike at the 2012 Donnie Smith Motorcycle show in St Paul Minnesota this February.

Ready to ride Mankato in the morning after I stop by J&J Powersports in Faribault for some Yamaha supplies

Just finished installing the inverted fork setup on the 650 build. They are from a Yamaha YZ250, and had to get the steering stem machined by the legendary Bill Bune enterprises up in Anoka to get the clamps to work with the new tapered steering bearings.

Last saturday, we had the opportunity to check out the Motokazie-Managed Kellogg motocross facility for an open ride day. SMOG was the organization putting on the event, and they did a spectacular job getting everything set up, and even served a spaghetti dinner when the riding was all done for the day. I’m looking forward to September 10th, when SMOG will be putting on a ride day at the Mankato track.. probably one of the best in the state.

Raced the Anoka County Fair tonight, and all I can say is, that Motokazie has put on another great race. The track was perfect, and there was a huge spectator turnout. There were a lot of fast & flat sweeper corners that made the race feel like a flat track event. It was a lot of fun holding it pinned around the sweepers & hearing the bike’s exhaust echo off the grandstands. Can’t wait till next year!

I began work on this project as a personal favor to my friend and professional contact, Bill Best, VP of product development at Shock Doctor. The designs that I created, were professionally applied by the staff at Troy Lee Designs, who executed the helmets and the jersey prints. It was my privilege to do the artwork, and have them installed by people that I truly admire & aspire to. Bill’s son Blaze is also a very fast rider, and Darius expects that he will make quite a name for himself. I also think its great that Blaze is running the number 289 this year, because for the longest time, that was my favorite number. To make it even more coincidental, I even had sketches from about 10 years ago, of the number 289 in various styles, which bear a striking resemblance to the designs I have created for Blaze & Bill. I see it as more than a coincidence!

Motokazie, Inc. Hosted their first ever hare scramble in Carver, MN. The event, originally scheduled for May 8th, was postponed until May 29th, due to the Flooding conditions of the Minnesota River. As of the 28th, the trails were said to have been perfect, until a storm rolled through Saturday evening, dumping over an inch of rain, and causing the Minnesota River to once again rise to flood stage. Not wanting to give up to the river again, Motokazie made a few trail changes and ran the race anyway. The layout was super fun, having a rock quarry, fast trails, and a grass track (which was pretty muddy (given that it was in a flood plain). I made it about 4 laps, then decided to cartwheel the YZ250f across a bed of rocks. The resulting damage to the bike made it impossible to finish the race. Overall, it was a fun ride, but I’m bummed we weren’t able to finish.