Sharing stories of success with CoolBrands Enschede, the Netherlands: 13 September 2012
The first edition of the CoolBrands book ‘Around the World in 80 Brands’ has been published featuring articles about visionary people, smart brands and trendy destinations. Apollo Tyres is one of the leading brands featured in the book, which aims to share stories worth telling with opinion formers around the world. The book is part of an overall concept that includes online seeding and sharing via social media, guest lectures at universities and workshops.
“Apollo Tyres is pleased to be part of this global storytelling project,” comments Rob Oudshoorn, CEO of Apollo Vredestein. “Our inclusion reflects the ambitious nature of our plans as well as the explosive national and international growth of the company over recent years. This growth has been made possible in no small part to the takeover of the Dunlop factories in South Africa and Vredestein in the Netherlands.”
Maarten Schäfer and Anouk Pappers initiated this CoolBrands concept at the end of 2010. “The sharing of such valuable stories from across the different continents enhances the knowledge of all who hear them,” says Pappers. “For example, how Oskar Metsavaht in Rio de Janeiro views the issue of sustainability can be very relevant for companies in Europe and the United States. The same applies to the way in which the creative sector in Nigeria – fashion designers, business people and musicians – are building a new future for the country, or how a telecoms company in the United Arab Emirates is helping improve health in Africa and parts of Asia in an eco-friendly way. There is so much to learn…”
“Another excellent example is the story of how Harley-Davidson has succeeded in being both sustainable and exceptionally cool at the same time,” adds Schäfer. “We also discovered how Saatchi & Saatchi sees the future of Lovemarks and met Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He featured in Rolling Stone’s top 100 best drummers of all time and together with the other members of the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year.”
Schäfer and Pappers emphasise that they have now entered the most important phase of the project by sharing all these priceless stories with a wider audience via the book, social networks and
www.aroundtheworldin80brands.com. The limited edition book can be ordered from the website for 49.50 euro (ex VAT and postage & packaging).