Thee New Era of Lotos

Lotus appoints American rapper asVP of Creative Design
and Global Marketing (http://www.thelotusforums.com)

There is a new era of creative direction ahead for Lotus Cars, as they recently announced their new creative addition to the team.  American rapper, producer, designer and painter, Swizz Beatz, has been called to duty once again for his creative mind, as he was appointed Vice President of Creative Design and Global Marketing for Lotos.

Lotos is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars.  The company designs, builds, and produces race automobiles, specializing in lightweight and fine handling characteristics.  Lotus is now owned by Proton, a Malaysian automobile manufacturer.  The master creative mind behind Lotus is founder, Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman.  Chapman studied civil engineering at the University of College in London.  In the 1930’s, the mastermind used a mere power drill and his elementary panel beating skills to build his first trials racing car.  He crafted the 1930’s Austin Seven based special into what we know today as the Mark 1 Lotus. 

 

Chapman developed an obsession for motorsports, which drove the compelling focus of Lotus’ contribution to design and racing today.  As the company began to expand, they convinced their customers to race its cars and entered Formula One through their sister company, Team Lotus in 1958.  The current Lotus car line up includes seven stylish and innovative models:  Lotus Elise, Exige, Exige S, Evora, 2-Eleven, and the T125 Exos.

Now Group Lotus is striving for more with there understandable but surprising addition to the team.  Swizz is no stranger to the automotive world with his previous contribution to promoting the Aston Martin, Rapide.  Group Lotus is confident in their decision, describing Swizz as the perfect man for the job based on three small but significant facts:

1. Like Group Lotus, he means business: He's a risk taker with considerable credentials including music producer, rapper, designer AND painter.  2. Like our cars, Beatz he's multi award winning: This year he shared a Grammy Award with Jay-Z.  3. Like Group Lotus he keeps good company: This man regularly works with the likes of Bono, Kanye West, Beyoncé and Alicia Keys.

Swizz plans to “infiltrate the market in a cool way” and is ready for the risk.  In the words of Swizz, “…the sky is not the limit, it’s just a view…”

Thee Creative Direction of John Lasseter

John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney; Principal
Creative Advisor, Disney Imagineering

A Creative Director (CD) is a position often found within the graphic design, film, fashion, advertising, media or entertainment industries.  The creative director is in charge of overseeing all aspects of the product design.  In addition, the CD also works closely with the Account Executives to make sure the client's needs are being met and the creative goals are on track. CDs are by no means merely liaisons and managers, they develop every aspect of an ad campaign based on the client's marketing plan, conceptualize those ideas for clients, assign projects to staff and verify the client's deadlines are being met.  The CD celebrated when the campaign is victorious, but faces the pressures of negative criticism if it fails.

A Creative Director I admire most is John Lasseter.  Lasseter’s specific title is Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and Principal Creative Advisor of Walt Disney Imagineering.  The California native, Lasseter’s first job was at The Walt Disney Company, where he worked as an animator.  He went on to work for Lucasfilm, where he work with computer-generated imagery (CGI), the first ever for the world to see.  In 1986, Lasseter began working for Pixar and oversaw all film productions as executive producer and directed, Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Cars, and Cars 2.

Lasseter Under Lasseter’s direction, Pixar’s animated features have earned a multitude of prestigious accolades and film industry honors.  Lasseter received a Special Achievement Oscar in 1995 for his inspired leadership of the Toy Story team.  His work on Toy Story also earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.  This was the first time an animated feature had been recognized in that category.

With over 20 years animating, producing, and directing animation, John Lasseter still enjoys his profession.  He is still excited to get to work everyday and still finds something new each time.  He often says, "If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your lifte..."