Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions (Mentor, OH) has revealed that Kevin Kempf, a vehicle-wrap installer for PG NOLA, a New Orleans-based, vehicle-wrap shop. His wrap, “Psycho Hurricane”, garnered the top prize at Avery’s Wrap Like a King Challenge, which culminated at the SEMA show, which took place in Las Vegas November 3-6. The competition generated 173 contestants from 25 countries.
The Specialty Equipment Marketing Assn.’s (SEMA) annual tradeshow, which took place November 3-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, provided an ideal forum. SEMA serves as an umbrella organization that represents the far-reaching gamut of automotive-aftermarket products, which includes street-rod components, special effects, and, yes, vehicle wraps. SEMA presumably represents a growth market for vinyl manufactures in general, and vehicle wraps in particular. Auto-restyling shops, dealers and even car-manufacturing representatives gain exposure to a strong value-ad product, and, through vinyl OEM’s presence at the show, take the first step towards forming partnerships with shops that complete vehicle wraps and enhance profits for wrap producers and their aftermarket-vendor customers.
To execute his design, Kempf incorporated Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions’ Conform Chrome Silver and Black, HV 1200 black, reflective film, and its DOL 1370 luster-finish overlaminate. The wrap was installed on a car that competed in GoldRush Rally 7, a road race that traveled across seven cities from San Diego to Miami, in June.
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions’ judges’ panel, which named Kempf the champion, as well as seven other worldwide, regional winners, included Ryan Friedlinghaus, Eric Ide, Markus-Marcel Knoch, Myles Kovacs, Justin Pate, Adrian Rope and Molly Waters. Rope, the founder of Totally Dynamic, a top British wrap shop, said, “Psycho Hurricane exceeded our expectations, and wholeheartedly deserves the [Wrap Like a King] crown. His use of … car-wrap film was creative and extremely unique.”
Kempf’s prize includes $1,000 cash, the King of the Wrap World trophy and Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions marketing support.
The six other finalists included Millville, NJ’s Designer Wraps, Cincinnati’s Spade Kreations, Hollywood, Fl’s MetroWrapz, Redwood City, CA’s SS Customs, Mississauga, ON, Canada’s Sekanskin and Schwabisch Hall, Germany’s Signal Reklame Gmbh.