Kenwood have been participating in Formula One World Championships with McLaren since 1991. Now celebrating it's 16th year in the sport, Kenwood continues to supply cutting edge technology to the team and last year has introduced the latest edition of digital radios.
The Partnership
Kenwood and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes have been working closely together since 1991 to develop a state-of-the-art radio communication system. In pursuit of excellence, they continue to produce the highest quality and often ground-breaking technology.
But for Kenwood there is much more to the relationship that just supplying radios to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. Kenwood has assigned members of its staff to work with the team at the Grands Prix. In fact, such is Kenwood’s commitment that one employee is actually based at the
McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey. In addition, the marketing departments of both companies have an exceptional relationship and are relentlessly working to achieve the very best for both organizations. This collaboration takes place throughout the year, both during the season and over the winter period, encompassing a wide range of activities from advertising campaigns through to inviting key guests to Grands Prix.
Why did Kenwood choose Formula One?
Formula One operates globally: the past season (2006) there were 19 races — on average one every two weeks — taking place in 17 different countries on 5 different continents. At a typical Grand Prix you can expect over two hundred thousand supporters, but the event is broadcast in nearly 200 countries and regions around the world. In just one season alone over 2.5 billion viewers will watch Formula One. What other sport has this kind of popularity and occurs during nine months of every year? The answer is none. This is not the only attraction; Formula One draws the attention a very powerful audience which Kenwood target, it is no coincidence that almost all of the countries that host Grands Prix also have a Kenwood Office.
Why Vodafone McLaren Mercedes?
Kenwood and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes were an ideal fit from the very start, firstly because Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is one of the most successful Formula One teams, having secured 11 Drivers’ Championships and 8 Constructors’ Championships to date. This kind of success has a knock-on effect for companies associated with the team. In addition, both partners have very similar core values: not only do they strive to be the very best, but perhaps just as importantly, they aim to produce the most innovative, advanced technologies in order to gain a competitive advantage.