Ken Block shares the secrets to his success with the FIA WRC Academy crews

RSL Staff

– August 2, 2012Posted in: News, WRC, WRC Academy

The FIA WRC Academy crews met with the hoonigan himself, Monster World Rally Team’s Ken Block, earlier this week as the master of social media and PR gave the drivers and co-drivers his expert tips and advice ahead of this weekend’s Neste Oil Rally Finland where the American will compete behind the wheel of his Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

Fresh from the making of Gymkhana FIVE – the most successful video of the Gymkhana series, surpassing its own YouTube record with 5.1 million view in the first 24 hours of its release – Block has become a social media sensation and PR dream. Who better for the WRC Academy crews to learn the tricks of the PR trade?

Aside from his media savvy, Block is one of the most dynamic characters in the World Rally Championship, Rally America series and the Global Rallycross championship with an army of loyal fans and supporters around the globe. Speaking to the WRC Academy crews, the charismatic American detailed the secrets to his success covering everything from social media, self-promotion and how to obtain and maintain sponsors.

This may be Block’s first venture to the fastest rally in the World Rally Championship, but the knowledge he was able to share with the WRC Academy crews proved some of the most valuable to date.

The stars of tomorrow have already proved they have the pace to make it to the top of world rallying, now they have an insight into how best to build their fan-base, secure sponsorship and keep their place in the sport.

Ken Block said:

“I’m always stoked to be able to talk to the WRC Academy students. They’re the future of our sport and any sort of knowledge I can help pass along to them in regards to bringing in sponsors and marketing themselves, the better.

“The more visible they become, the better they help not only themselves, but the entire rally community. They’re also super enthusiastic about everything that I do – especially my recent Gymkhana FIVE video!”

Chris Duplessis said:

“It was good seeing Ken [Block] in the hot-seat. I’ve known him a long time so it was good to see everyone else have the opportunity to ask him questions and pick up all his awesome tips and advice.

“He talked a lot about marketing and how best to promote yourself which is something all of us [in the WRC Academy] could use more help with at this point in our careers.

“Some of the best advice he gave was to think outside the box. We are all here to go rallying, but sometimes you need to offer a little extra and branch out into all sorts of other areas – just like Ken.”