SEMA News is searching for the best young talent in the automotive aftermarket industry…and we need your input.

We're asking for help finding upcoming industry leaders age 35 or younger. They might be working anywhere in the automotive aftermarket business, including manufacturing and design, retail, events and media, or distribution.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands, or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed.

Know someone? Nominate a candidate for 35 Under 35.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We'll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org. 

Nominations are due May 30, 2014. 

SEMA News is searching for the best young talent in the automotive aftermarket industry…and we need your input.

We're asking for help finding upcoming industry leaders age 35 or younger. They might be working anywhere in the automotive aftermarket business, including manufacturing and design, retail, events and media, or distribution.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands, or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed.

Know someone? Nominate a candidate for 35 Under 35.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We'll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org. 

Nominations are due May 30, 2014. 

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of niche-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular market segment.

Visit YEN's website

Launch Pad Competition Offers Winner Free SEMA Show Booth

By Bryan Harrison

After the success of last year’s Launch Pad competition, SEMA has announced that it will return for a second year.

This competition offers innovators under the age of 40 an industry platform to showcase their business for marketing a new automotive product or service.

Industrywide Awareness


The top 10 competitors will vie for the most votes on SEMA’s official Facebook/YouTube voting platform. The top five will receive an invitation to pitch their businesses in front of an industry-packed crowd during a live event at the SEMA Show.

Tools to Fuel Your Biz


The winner’s prize package will include a 10x10 booth at the 2015 SEMA Show, a one-page ad in SEMA News, an ad in Hot Rod magazine or 4-Wheel & Off Road magazine, a rep consultation with the Manufacturers’ Representative Network (MRN), public relations and social media consultation from Kahn Media, an event-level sponsorship package to either a Family Events truck and off-road group property or a Family Events performance car group property and much more.

Access to Decision Makers


This year’s event will feature another judging panel composed of industry experts who will offer coaching and advice to the contestants. Returning from the 2013 event will be Doug Evans, executive vice president and group publisher at Source Interlink Media, and SEMA’s chairman-elect of the Board, and Ron Coleman, president and CEO of COMP Performance Group. Joining them will be Tracie Nunez, president of the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA); Todd Ballard, director of sports marketing at GoPro; and Glenn Rogers, partner at Beyond Marketing.

Interested? It’s time to launch the next young automotive entrepreneur. For more information and to fill out an application, visit www.sema.org/launch-pad. If you have questions, please contact Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org.

Visit TORA's website.

TORA to Host Media Preview at the 2014 SEMA Show

TORA will host a Media Preview for a limited number of manufacturer members at the 2014 SEMA Show. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with a wide variety of truck and off-road editors and writers in a designated area, Monday, November 3, from 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

These focused meetings ensure that editors and reporters can ask their most pressing questions and photograph new products while manufacturers give the full story.

By participating just before the start of the SEMA Show, media members gain an early scoop on the latest products, and manufacturers have quality time with editors and reporters without sacrificing valuable floor time with customers. Participating manufacturers will be provided with various media training resources through the SEMA Education Institute to help them prepare and maximize their meetings. To give manufacturers the best chance for success, participants will be asked to meet media kit production milestones.

To be considered for participation in the 2014 TORA Media Preview, your company’s application must be received by 5:00 p.m. (PDT), Friday, May 30, 2014. Review the rules and regulations and apply today.

Not yet an TORA member? Join today to become eligible for the 2014 Media Preview.

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For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

SCT Holdings (SCT) recently announced the acquisition of Bully Dog, a manufacturer dedicated to automotive calibration solutions for the truck aftermarket. The combined company will now offer customers a more effective software solution to optimize their vehicles’ performance across an unprecedented number of vehicle types.

“Combining the strengths of these two leading companies will expand our vehicle coverage and accelerate our international growth in both the performance and fleet segments,” said Lisa Schule, managing director of GEF, a global firm that invested in SCT in 2013. “Bully Dog and SCT’s complementary software will be a crucial part of new technology advances in vehicles as they become more intelligent, fuel efficient and powerful.”

According to Bully Dog’s COO Daryl Klassen, “SCT’s calibrations and custom tuning software are second to none. Merging with SCT will allow us to take advantage of these strengths and take our products to the next level.”

The companies’ software solutions optimize a vehicle’s engine and transmission systems to improve fuel efficiency and vehicle performance. Currently Ford, GM, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, Paccar, Mercedes-Benz, Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel and Polaris vehicles can capitalize on the technology.

“There are many synergies between both companies, and our combined performance and fleet customers will see the direct benefits—more products for more vehicles with more features, sold in more places in the months to come,” said Rick Trudo, CEO of SCT. “With Bully Dog’s vast vehicle coverage, we can offer our customers calibration solutions for even more vehicle applications.”

For further information, visit www.sctflash.com, www.sctfleetsolutions.com and www.bullydog.com. 

SCT Holdings (SCT) recently announced the acquisition of Bully Dog, a manufacturer dedicated to automotive calibration solutions for the truck aftermarket. The combined company will now offer customers a more effective software solution to optimize their vehicles’ performance across an unprecedented number of vehicle types.

“Combining the strengths of these two leading companies will expand our vehicle coverage and accelerate our international growth in both the performance and fleet segments,” said Lisa Schule, managing director of GEF, a global firm that invested in SCT in 2013. “Bully Dog and SCT’s complementary software will be a crucial part of new technology advances in vehicles as they become more intelligent, fuel efficient and powerful.”

According to Bully Dog’s COO Daryl Klassen, “SCT’s calibrations and custom tuning software are second to none. Merging with SCT will allow us to take advantage of these strengths and take our products to the next level.”

The companies’ software solutions optimize a vehicle’s engine and transmission systems to improve fuel efficiency and vehicle performance. Currently Ford, GM, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, Paccar, Mercedes-Benz, Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel and Polaris vehicles can capitalize on the technology.

“There are many synergies between both companies, and our combined performance and fleet customers will see the direct benefits—more products for more vehicles with more features, sold in more places in the months to come,” said Rick Trudo, CEO of SCT. “With Bully Dog’s vast vehicle coverage, we can offer our customers calibration solutions for even more vehicle applications.”

For further information, visit www.sctflash.com, www.sctfleetsolutions.com and www.bullydog.com. 

SCT Holdings (SCT) recently announced the acquisition of Bully Dog, a manufacturer dedicated to automotive calibration solutions for the truck aftermarket. The combined company will now offer customers a more effective software solution to optimize their vehicles’ performance across an unprecedented number of vehicle types.

“Combining the strengths of these two leading companies will expand our vehicle coverage and accelerate our international growth in both the performance and fleet segments,” said Lisa Schule, managing director of GEF, a global firm that invested in SCT in 2013. “Bully Dog and SCT’s complementary software will be a crucial part of new technology advances in vehicles as they become more intelligent, fuel efficient and powerful.”

According to Bully Dog’s COO Daryl Klassen, “SCT’s calibrations and custom tuning software are second to none. Merging with SCT will allow us to take advantage of these strengths and take our products to the next level.”

The companies’ software solutions optimize a vehicle’s engine and transmission systems to improve fuel efficiency and vehicle performance. Currently Ford, GM, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, Paccar, Mercedes-Benz, Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel and Polaris vehicles can capitalize on the technology.

“There are many synergies between both companies, and our combined performance and fleet customers will see the direct benefits—more products for more vehicles with more features, sold in more places in the months to come,” said Rick Trudo, CEO of SCT. “With Bully Dog’s vast vehicle coverage, we can offer our customers calibration solutions for even more vehicle applications.”

For further information, visit www.sctflash.com, www.sctfleetsolutions.com and www.bullydog.com. 

SCT Holdings (SCT) recently announced the acquisition of Bully Dog, a manufacturer dedicated to automotive calibration solutions for the truck aftermarket. The combined company will now offer customers a more effective software solution to optimize their vehicles’ performance across an unprecedented number of vehicle types.

“Combining the strengths of these two leading companies will expand our vehicle coverage and accelerate our international growth in both the performance and fleet segments,” said Lisa Schule, managing director of GEF, a global firm that invested in SCT in 2013. “Bully Dog and SCT’s complementary software will be a crucial part of new technology advances in vehicles as they become more intelligent, fuel efficient and powerful.”

According to Bully Dog’s COO Daryl Klassen, “SCT’s calibrations and custom tuning software are second to none. Merging with SCT will allow us to take advantage of these strengths and take our products to the next level.”

The companies’ software solutions optimize a vehicle’s engine and transmission systems to improve fuel efficiency and vehicle performance. Currently Ford, GM, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, Paccar, Mercedes-Benz, Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel and Polaris vehicles can capitalize on the technology.

“There are many synergies between both companies, and our combined performance and fleet customers will see the direct benefits—more products for more vehicles with more features, sold in more places in the months to come,” said Rick Trudo, CEO of SCT. “With Bully Dog’s vast vehicle coverage, we can offer our customers calibration solutions for even more vehicle applications.”

For further information, visit www.sctflash.com, www.sctfleetsolutions.com and www.bullydog.com. 

By Monika Earle

Many editors say that the Media Center bins and New Products Showcase are among their top resources for information.

Editors love press releases. An effective press release allows editors to quickly and easily fill their publications (whether print or digital) with relevant content. Like many businesses, media outlets are often understaffed and editors are challenged with having to do a lot of work in a short amount of time. An effective press release is one that makes it easy for editors to use your content. Here are some best practices when it comes to drafting and submitting your press materials for SEMA Show coverage:

• Target your message. If your product is geared toward musclecars, don’t target truck magazines and expect media coverage. Editors may tag your e-mail address as spam if they get irrelevant releases from you.

• Personalize your message. While you don’t have to individualize each release you send out, avoid putting multiple contact names in the “to” line of an e-mail. Aside from looking bad, editors want to know that you put some time and thought into sending a release in which they would be interested.

• Highlight the benefit. Use a strong, concise headline to grab the attention of your reader, and don’t make the editor search for the news (who, what, where, when, why).

• Write like an editor. Most publications follow Associated Press (AP) format. Be familiar with and follow the writing style of the publication you are targeting.

• Do not send sell sheets. Doing so will require that the editor piece the story together.

• Allow editors to copy and paste. Send Word files rather than PDFs. If they can quickly copy and paste your text, you will have much more success in getting them to run your news.

• Include a usable photo. Editors typically like to run photos with their news stories. If they have to choose between two releases and only one has a photo, they are much more likely to run the release with a photo. JPEGs are preferred over TIF, EPS or PNG files, and print publications will insist on a high-res image.

• Time your release. Know the news cycle of the publication you are targeting. Many print publications have two-month lead times, so plan accordingly.

• Include your contact information. Always include the name and contact information for a media contact in case the editor has questions.

• Develop a relationship. Take the time to get to know those editors who are relevant to your market. Send them notes on articles they have written, and connect with them at industry events whenever possible.

Following these tips will ensure that you will have the greatest success in receiving media pickup of your press materials and increase your chances of publicity for your products or other corporate announcements.  

By Monika Earle

Many editors say that the Media Center bins and New Products Showcase are among their top resources for information.

Editors love press releases. An effective press release allows editors to quickly and easily fill their publications (whether print or digital) with relevant content. Like many businesses, media outlets are often understaffed and editors are challenged with having to do a lot of work in a short amount of time. An effective press release is one that makes it easy for editors to use your content. Here are some best practices when it comes to drafting and submitting your press materials for SEMA Show coverage:

• Target your message. If your product is geared toward musclecars, don’t target truck magazines and expect media coverage. Editors may tag your e-mail address as spam if they get irrelevant releases from you.

• Personalize your message. While you don’t have to individualize each release you send out, avoid putting multiple contact names in the “to” line of an e-mail. Aside from looking bad, editors want to know that you put some time and thought into sending a release in which they would be interested.

• Highlight the benefit. Use a strong, concise headline to grab the attention of your reader, and don’t make the editor search for the news (who, what, where, when, why).

• Write like an editor. Most publications follow Associated Press (AP) format. Be familiar with and follow the writing style of the publication you are targeting.

• Do not send sell sheets. Doing so will require that the editor piece the story together.

• Allow editors to copy and paste. Send Word files rather than PDFs. If they can quickly copy and paste your text, you will have much more success in getting them to run your news.

• Include a usable photo. Editors typically like to run photos with their news stories. If they have to choose between two releases and only one has a photo, they are much more likely to run the release with a photo. JPEGs are preferred over TIF, EPS or PNG files, and print publications will insist on a high-res image.

• Time your release. Know the news cycle of the publication you are targeting. Many print publications have two-month lead times, so plan accordingly.

• Include your contact information. Always include the name and contact information for a media contact in case the editor has questions.

• Develop a relationship. Take the time to get to know those editors who are relevant to your market. Send them notes on articles they have written, and connect with them at industry events whenever possible.

Following these tips will ensure that you will have the greatest success in receiving media pickup of your press materials and increase your chances of publicity for your products or other corporate announcements.