Shaquille O’Neal on Georgia Sheriff’s Truck Wrap

SHAQ — SHAQUILLE O’NEAL — absolutely has to be the busiest, most-involved public figure on the planet. He’s right up there with Ryan Seacrest. Among Shaq’s many endeavors, the NBA legend and multi-business mogul serves as the director of community relations for Henry County, GA, where he resides.

In late May, SpeedPro Norcross (Norcross, GA) was contacted by Deputy Timothy Sterrett with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office to inquire about having the sheriff’s truck wrapped to promote recruitment and community relations, according to Kim Edney, SpeedPro’s operations manager. The Sheriff’s regular vendors/designers had been unable to provide “fresh, new ideas in the design direction,” Edney says, quoting the Sheriff’s Office. Adding to the stakes, the client needed the wrap for upcoming community events that included Director of Community Relations Shaquille O’Neal.

Edney gives full kudos to Andrew Nuse, SpeedPro’s designer, production manager, who “saw the Chief’s vision and produced high-quality proofs” using Adobe Illustrator and Onyx software. The shop quickly cycled through half a dozen proofs. “Mainly photo switch outs, addition of QR code, font change,” Edney recalls. They received approval within 15 days, which was critical to their ability to deliver on time.

Edney met the deputy dropping the vehicle off on a Wednesday after regular working hours, with installation scheduled for the following day so the truck would be available for the Saturday event. “You do what is needed for your customer and the company!” she says.

SpeedPro Norcross used their HP Latex 800 inkjet printer and Avery Dennison MPI 1105 Easy Apply RS, with Avery Dennison DOL 1360Z Cast Gloss Overlaminate applied by a Kala Mistral laminator to print and protect the approved design.

Completion of the wrap was entrusted to Senad Sinanovic, who works the Metro Atlanta/Gwinnett County region but also travels for SpeedPro as needed. He’s been installing SpeedPro’s full wraps for more than 15 years, Edney says, adding, “We’ve always done spot-graphic installations in house. We have a climate-controlled bay that can handle up to 20-ft. box trucks so we have the space they need to work in.”

To work seamlessly with the installer, the shop had all materials cut and ready, with vehicles prepped for installations. SignPro also recently hit the sign biz lottery so to speak, adding a 25-year veteran installer to their full-time crew.

The finished wrap went over so well, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office added a trailer and word got around. “I’ve now had the opportunity to design for the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office,” Edney says. “One vehicle for breast cancer awareness and one for domestic abuse awareness.” SpeedPro Norcross will be doing their community relations and training vehicles next.

You never know who is on the other end of the phone and what opportunity could arise, Edney says, so always try to answer the phone with a smile. For example, if one is willing to put up with the challenges of working with a government entity — the time it takes getting approved as a vendor and getting paid — “word can get out about the great work you can do and they continue to come back for new projects!” Edney says.

She reached out to her Henry County contacts for any comments or reactions from Shaquille O’Neal but heard nothing back at press time. Maybe he’s too busy doing more commercials for Epson.