Ken Block’s Gymkhana 4 is automotive hoonage, Hollywood style
Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford, Celebrities, Humor, Specialty
If you're Ken Block and you feel the need to top your previous and ridiculously popular Gymkhana videos with a fourth installment, what do you do? Why, turn to Hollywood, of course. For Gymkhana 4, Block and his DC Shoes crew travel to the Universal Studios lot, and, as such, you'll see plenty of classic movie props in this film.
Let's see... we've got Back to the Future, Jaws, Zombieland and Slumdog Millionaire for starters, along with a couple of gorillas and Segways. But it's the automotive action you're most interested in, right? And in that case, we've got more good news for you: Block's sideways smokey action in back in full effect, and this time, he crashes through buildings, dodges animatronic sharks and pirouettes around the guys from Epic Meal Time.
All in, you'll find just over nine minutes of automotive hoonage starring Block's Ford Fiesta Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle, punctuated by movie references and product placement along with plenty of special effects and insane camera angles. See it all for yourself right after the break.
Continue reading Ken Block's Gymkhana 4 is automotive hoonage, Hollywood style
Ken Block's Gymkhana 4 is automotive hoonage, Hollywood style originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsGymkhana 4 production underway, arriving late summer
Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Ford
A new car, updated livery and a fresh set of tires can only mean one thing for Ken Block - a new Gymkhana video is in the works, and it's slated to take over YouTube sometime this summer. The new instrument of driving precision and rubber destruction is Block's Ford Fiesta Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle.
Gymkhana Four will no doubt be another internet sensation, one that will add to the constantly growing mass of people who've viewed the previous three videos. To date, Gymkhana installments one through three have been watched over 110 million times, with Gymkhana Three making its way on to YouTube's list of Top 10 Videos of 2010.
Whether you think it's merely a marketing stunt, a display of skill behind the wheel or something in between, there's little doubt that you're going to watch it. We'll do the same, and you'll be sure to find it here on Autoblog when Ken Block and DC Shoes release the finished version. For now, you can get a taste of what's to come by checking out the image gallery above.
Continue reading Gymkhana 4 production underway, arriving late summer
Gymkhana 4 production underway, arriving late summer originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsKen Block busting through boxes in DiRT 3 promo
Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford, Off-Road
Ken Block DiRT 3 promo - Click above to watch the video after the jump
We can never get enough of Ken Block's Gymkhana, and we're pretty sure that many of you feel the same way. Lucky for us, Block and Codemasters have the launch of DiRT 3 to look forward to, making a new drift video a no-brainer.
Watch Block as he hops behind the wheel of the Ford Focus Rally car at London's Battersea Power Station, the same place he took a bikini model from Zoo Magazine for a ride. As always, Block traverses some keenly placed obstacles whilst drifting and doing donuts all the way. As a special sendoff to DiRT 3, Block also drifts through a series of stacked DiRT 3 boxes, which we hope aren't filled with copies of the $59 game.
Hit the jump to watch the slide-master do his thing. This may not be Block's best work, but it isn't often that we actually enjoy being bombarded with advertising.
Continue reading Ken Block busting through boxes in DiRT 3 promo
Ken Block busting through boxes in DiRT 3 promo originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 May 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideos: Ken Block releases alternate edits of Gymkhana 3
Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Specialty
Ken Block Gymkhana 3 trick edits - Click above to watch video
As if Ken Block's Gymkhana series weren't popular enough, the DC Shoes owner/hotshoe has released eight (8) new edits of Gymkhana 3, each focusing on a different aspect of Block's behind-the-wheel trickery.
The videos, all of which can be viewed after the jump, highlight the more impressive of Block's tricks, like a rainy-day rolling 360 and a nearly impossible wall tap that leaves just a slight rubber smudge on the white concrete. There's also an in-depth look at Block's execution of the famed 51-degree bank wall ride.
Of the eight vids, two are dedicated to a behind-the-scenes look at Gymkhana 3 and the making of a limited-edition Gymkhana 3 drip poster, signed in paint pen by Block himself. According to Block, the videos are meant to celebrate the success of Gymkhana 1, 2 and 3 and give fans something else to sink their teeth into. Check out all 8 videos after the jump.
[Source: YouTube]
Continue reading Videos: Ken Block releases alternate edits of Gymkhana 3
Videos: Ken Block releases alternate edits of Gymkhana 3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsKen Block’s Gymkhana 3: Part 1 is not like the others, Part 2 coming in September
Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford, Celebrities
Gymkhana 3: Part 1 - Click above to watch video after the jump
The long awaited countdown to rally superstar Ken Block's Gymkhana 3 video has ended, and what was revealed today is a music video featuring a hip-hop group named The Cool Kids, with a little bit of Ken Block and his rally Fiesta sprinkled in.
Unlike the last two Gymkhana videos, which became instant YouTube sensations thanks to non-stop footage of Block doing amazing stunts behind the wheel of his rally Subaru Impreza WRX STI hatchback, Gymkhana 3: Part 1 is a straight up music video informercial that shows off Block's DC apparel and products more than his driving skill. When we do see the rally Fiesta in its Gymkhana debut, Block is either doing donuts or driving it directly into - and not around - things like paint cans and fluorescent bulbs.
We contacted Ken Block's crew to see what the deal is, and were told that the plan is to separate the marketing from what the kids really want, which is footage of Block doing things with a car that prove he's superhuman behind the wheel. So Part 1 of Gymkhana 3 is the one with the marketing message, while Part 2 we're told will be much more like Gymkhana 1 with just the driving footage. When we asked when we can expect Gymkhana 3: Part 2 to drop, early-to-mid September was the answer.
Check out Gymkhana 3: Part 1 for yourself after the jump.
[Source: YouTube]
Continue reading Ken Block's Gymkhana 3: Part 1 is not like the others, Part 2 coming in September
Ken Block's Gymkhana 3: Part 1 is not like the others, Part 2 coming in September originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffspeed Pitch: Richard Petty joins Ken Block, AJ Allmendinger in marketing Ford Fiesta?
Filed under: Motorsports, Budget, Sedan, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Ford, Celebrities
Brace yourself, race fans. Things are about to get a little weird. Ford has decided to meld the seemingly unmeldable worlds of NASCAR and rally to help promote the 2011 Fiesta. Ken Block, Richard Petty and AJ Allmendinger have joined forces as an unholy trifecta of motorsports action, unified by their common love of the number 43. We don't need to tell you that Petty famously campaigned old four-three in the heyday of NASCAR, netting 200 Sprint Cup wins and a total of seven championships in the process. Meanwhile, Block has established himself as one of America's flashiest rally drivers, while Allmendinger has inherited Petty's 43 throne in the current NASCAR series.
The three unlikely amigos will be campaigning for the Blue Oval's new '43 Fiestas' sweepstakes, where entrants will have the opportunity to lay their hands on a bevy of prizes. A total of 43 first-place prize winners will walk away with a 40-inch LED-LCD HD flat-screen television, while another 43 grand-prize winners will receive airfare, lodging and tickets for two to the Ford 300 Nationwide series and the Ford 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. If that wasn't swank enough, one of the 43 grand-prize winners will drive home in a 2011 Fiesta.
But wait, there's more. Should Allmendinger happen to take the checkered at the end of the race, all 43 grand-prize winners will win their very own Fiesta. Head over to the 43 Fiestas site to enter for you chance to win. You can also hop the jump for the full press release.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Ford via 43Fiestas.com]
Offspeed Pitch: Richard Petty joins Ken Block, AJ Allmendinger in marketing Ford Fiesta? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsKen Block reveals possible Fiesta special edition collaboration with Ford in the works
Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford
Ken Block Gymkhana 3 Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ken Block isn't a World Rally Championship legend by any stretch, but thanks to his immensely entertaining Gymkhana videos, the glorified shoemaker can definitely lay claim to the title of YouTube Legend. And with Ford working the Internets hard during the launches of its new products like the Fiesta and Explorer, it made total sense that Ford would want to partner with the new media star.
The duo of Fiesta and Ken Block is less than a year old, but already there are some rumblings that Block edition Fiesta could be in the works. How about a DC Shoes edition Fiesta? In a recent radio interview with KROQ, Block was asked if there was a KB Fiesta on the way, and he responded with "we're discussing those types of things but there's nothing set in stone at this point." Block went on to add that for now, he wants to concentrate on racing and developing new competition cars.
So, no definitive news on the Ken Block edition Fiesta front, but the two parties are at least thinking about a special model. We can't see how this is a bad idea, considering that 30 million potential car buyers waiting patiently for Gymkhana 3 - we couldn't think of a better way to announce a special edition Fiesta than by starring in another Block-buster internet flick (sorry, we couldn't resist). Head over to the KROQ website to listen to the interview. Hat tip to Joe B!
[Source: KROQ]
Ken Block reveals possible Fiesta special edition collaboration with Ford in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments