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For Ed Hoffman, retiring from the TV business was never going to be a true retirement. After over two decades, he was ready to pursue some other passions. One of them was his love of RV-ing in South Dakota – and around the country. Another was his passion for motorcycle safety, helmet use and social responsibility.
A Forty-Foot Idea
Hoffman has always loved motorcycles. And anyone that rides regularly has unfortunately seen an accident, or even several, in their day. Hoffman was no exception. When his friend from South Dakota Rides approached him with an idea for his new RV, he was receptive.
South Dakota Rides advocates for motorcycle riding in the state, providing maps, weather and event information. But more importantly, it is a fierce advocate organization for helmets, safety and training. Hoffman had just recently purchased the new 40-foot RV. South Dakota Rides asked if he would advocate for the organization, on his RV, and share their message around the state.
Hoffman loved the cause marketing idea and agreed to wrap his RV with safety messaging. But with it being a brand new vehicle. Hoffman had some big ideas of his own. That’s where HS Sign Shop came in.
Vinyl Wrapping from Top to Tires
It was a project several weeks in the making. HS Sign Shop was tasked with helping conceptualize what the RV design would be.
”We got together to take measurements and began kicking around ideas until something stuck. That’s usually how these big projects begin.
Jason JellisHS Sign Shop Specialist
Hoffman loves South Dakota and knew he didn’t want just another big ad on wheels. He wanted to:
- Showcase the state’s beauty
- Showcase the reasons people ride
- Have a personal message
- Make an impact wherever he stopped
- And most importantly, bring attention to the safety message
Our graphics and installation specialists proposed several ideas to Hoffman and together, they settled on a design. The passenger side featured what is essentially a stunning, driving mural of the Badlands with a pair of motorcycle riders in the foreground.
The passenger side shared a personal line from his friend Renee who had survived a terrible motorcycle accident. “On August 2nd, 2018, my helmet saved my life. — Renee” The image was shot in HenkinSchultz’s studio and features Renee holding her severely cracked helmet. She stands in the foreground of Mount Rushmore and stands as a powerful testimonial to wear a helmet.
Wrapped in vinyl from front to back, the beautiful RV also displays the South Dakota Rides logo and corresponding URLs, including Drive Safe SD. Together, it makes a “wow” statement. And wow statements promote causes.
Hoffman says the RV is already making an impact for good. “Everywhere we go we are a huge hit,” says Hoffman. “We have had many people asking if they can share photos of it on their website and social media. The answer was “yes” of course.”
Making an Impact By the Numbers
HS Sign Shop estimates over 1,000 feet of vinyl wrap went into the project. With a project this size, there are countless handles, mirrors, latches etc. to disassemble. What was reassembled was a driving work of art with a very important message on helmet safety.
It is estimated that a vehicle wrap can receive between 30,000 to 80,000 impressions per day. That adds up to around 40,000,000 impressions over the vehicle’s lifetime. And with the miles Hoffman plans on putting on, our bet is he’ll get more.
But of all these numbers, a few remain most important: Raising awareness; increasing the number of helmet riders; and lowering the number of helmet fatalities. That’s the really rewarding part about completing a job of this nature. Doing good.
Do you have a cause or a business that needs to make an impression? Talk to HS Sign Shop and we can brainstorm a solution to support your marketing program. Need some inspiration? Check out our gallery.
