[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” angled_section=”no” angled_section_position=”both” angled_section_direction=”from_left_to_right” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” padding_bottom=”20″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text el_class=”milepost-dateline”]MilePost – The Journal of the Motor Press Guild / Vol. 25, No. 1, January 2015[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”16506″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” angled_section=”no” angled_section_position=”both” angled_section_direction=”from_left_to_right” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]
Preston Lerner takes top honors at the 2014 Dean Batchelor Awards
— photos by Myles Regan
On December 9, 2014 the Motor Press Guild held the 20th Annual Dean Batchelor Awards to recognize Excellence in Automotive Journalism. Held at the new Carroll Shelby Automotive Museum in Gardena, the ceremony recognized the best work of the year in five categories: Best Article, Best Book, Best Photo, Best Podcast and Best Video (under 30 minutes).
Preston Lerner of Automobile Magazine took top honors in the Best Article category for his award-winning piece, “Bull’s Eye.” The story, which beautifully chronicles the backstory of the most successful team owner in the car racing world today, Chip Ganassi, also earned Lerner the 2014 Dean Batchelor Award (read story here).
L: Jay Leno and Ken Gross.
R: MPG President Joni Gray awards Ken Gross with the 2014 MPG Lifetime Achievement Award.
Also recognized that evening was Ken Gross, the latest recipient of MPG’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Gross, an automobile and motorcycle enthusiast since childhood, was Executive Director of the Petersen Automotive Museum for five years following a career in advertising and marketing. His car, travel, and motorcycle writing has appeared in Playboy Magazine, Robb Report, The Rodder’s Journal, Automobile Magazine, and Road & Track. Jay Leno, a long-time personal friend of Gross, attended the ceremony and gave an introduction before Gross was presented his award.
New for 2014, the Dean Batchelor Award trophy was completely redesigned this year by esteemed artist and automotive designer, Richard Pietruska. Pietruska has been teaching transportation and product design at Art Center College of Design for over 20 years and is a member of the Automotive Fine Arts Society. His work appears in many private collections around the world as well being exhibited in museums and various Concours d’Elegance events. Pictured on left: The redesigned MPG Dean Batchelor Award trophy, designed by Richard Pietruska.
L: Bob D’Olivo speaks at the 2014 DBA ceremony
R: “Back Story” by Jeff Zwart, winner of the 2014 Bob D’Olivo Award for Outstanding Photography
Also new for 2014, the Best Photo of the Year award was changed to recognize and honor legendary automotive photographer, Bob D’Olivo. D’Olivo was “the epicenter of Petersen Publishing Company’s photo department for nearly five decades and shot countless Motor Trend, Hot Rod, Car Craft, and other covers over the years” (via Motor Trend). The new Bob D’Olivo Award for Outstanding Photography was awarded to Jeff Zwart for his photograph in Porsche Panorama, “Back Story.”
The Motor Press Guild was extremely proud to award such deserving parties for their Excellence in Automotive Journalism. The complete list of 2014 winners:
- Preston Lerner, “Bull’s-Eye” (read it here)
2014 Dean Batchelor Award Winner Best Article of the Year
- Ken Gross, 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
- Art Garner, “Black Noon” (more info here)
Best Book of the Year
- Charlie Vogelheim & Shawn Myers, “Motor Trend Audio”, Episode 11: Bob Kelley (listen here)
Best Podcast of the Year
- Micah Muzio and Michael DeLano “KBB Attends Stunt Driving School”, Kelley Blue Book (watch here)
Best Video of the Year (under 30 minutes)
- Jeff Zwart “Back Story”, Porsche Panorama (click to view)
Bob D’Olivo Award for Outstanding Photography
Click here to visit the photo gallery of the evening, by Myles Regan (Regan Digital Images)
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
With the North American International Auto Show dominating the automotive landscape in early-to-mid-January, MPG luncheons will take a break. Stay tuned for an announcement for the February monthly gathering.
Remembering John Kiewicz
We are sad to report the loss of John Kiewicz, who passed away on January 6, 2015 in a motorcycle accident. Many members of our organization knew John, who was a former Associate Editor at Car Craft, Senior Editor at Motor Trend and a past Senior Press Administrator at the American Honda Motor Company, Inc. Although he left the automotive industry in 2012, he has remained well known in our community and will be greatly missed by many. Our condolences go out to John’s many friends and family members.
2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MPG is proud to announce the newest members to be elected to the Board of Directors. We welcome Russell Datz, Aaron Gold and Joni Gray and look forward to their three-year terms.
From L to R: Russell Datz, Aaron Gold, Joni Gray
The Motor Press Guild would also like to thank outgoing members Brendan Flynn and Jeff Glucker for their service on the board. Elections will be held at the January Board Meeting for the offices of President, Vice-President and Secretary.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings and Happy New Year!
Well, 2014 was a stellar year for the Motor Press Guild and I am proud to have been a part of it. Our Board of Directors, MPG Staff and Committee Chairpersons demonstrated their commitment to the over-arching goal of the guild: “To further the professionalism of automotive journalism… for mutual benefit of all parties.” Nothing came closer to achieving that goal than presenting our long-time member and colleague, Ken Gross, with the Dean Batchelor Lifetime Achievement Award in December. What a phenomenal role model he is to each journalist and a beloved member of the press to our public relations and affiliate members.
For 2015, MPG will continue moving forward. Roles will change, but the spirit will remain the same. We welcome Aaron Gold back to the board and our friend, Russell Datz will be an official member of the board this year. I have also been honored with another round of three more years on the board and I’m looking forward to making more of a contribution in specific areas that are meaningful to me. Sadly, we will be losing the even-keeled and sensible Jeff Glucker and our own personal event guru, Brendan Flynn this year and they will be sorely missed.
I am very fortunate to have led the largest organization of its kind, during a year of growth and optimism in the automotive industry. Thank you for personally encouraging and supporting me and for your willingness to pitch in and make MPG stronger and more stable than ever by participating in membership, events and voting this year. Please continue to do so this year — it’s going to be a great one!
Best,
— Joni Gray
President, Motor Press Guild
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NEW MEMBERS
Journalist
- Sean Spear, LA Car
Analyst
- Skip Streets, Ace Metrix, Vice President Strategy & Business Development
Public Relations
- Kristin Ballard, AutoTrader, Associate Manager, Public Relations
- Gary Fong, DeltaWing Technologies, Director of Communications
Affliliate
- Mike Greene, Victory Lane
ALL MEMBERS: Note that you alone are responsible for managing your profile and contact info in MPG’s database. Log-in to your account at www.motorpressguild.org: Find the “Profile” tab and then click on “Edit.” Make sure to click the “Save” button (bottom left) when you’re done. This is the data published in MPG’s annual Media Guide/Membership Roster and you are the only one that checks its accuracy.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” position=”center” thickness=”2″ width_in_percentages=”” up=”40″ down=”40″][vc_column_text]
CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR MilePost
Any member is welcome to submit items to this monthly newsletter that are of specific interest to fellow members:
- Member Chronicle stories
- Letters to the Editor
- Job Openings
Acceptance and revision are at the discretion of the Editor. MilePost does not publish general industry PR or paid ads. Member Chronicle stories can be adventures you’ve had, special talents you possess, what you drive, your first car, a car you crashed, one you lived in, epic (or not so epic) drives, etc. In other words, think freely and keep things in good taste. Shoot for 400-800 words and include some images if you have them.
Deadline is seven days before the end of the month. Send both words and pictures (small JPEGs, please) to: milepost@motorpressguild.org
NOTE: Members who wish to publicize non-MPG events or announcements may do so themselves on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/motorpressguild. And be sure to “like” our page while you’re there.
Motor Press Guild, P.O. Box 4215, Redondo Beach CA 90277 • 323-374-3674[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” position=”center” thickness=”2″ width_in_percentages=”” up=”40″ down=”40″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1431038828070{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”milepost-sidebar” css=”.vc_custom_1437765498524{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”]MilePost is the monthly online newsletter of the Motor Press Guild
CONTENTS
2014 Dean Batchelor Awards
Announcements
President’s Message
New Members
Contribute to MilePost
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jason Fogelson, President
Michael Harley, Vice President
Darryll Harrison, Treasurer
Chris Woodyard, Secretary
Mike Antich
Shad Balch
Russell Datz
Aaron Gold
Joni Gray
Deb Pollack
Doug Stokes
MPG STAFF
MPG Business Operations Manager
Pete Evanow
MPG Web/Communications Manager
Carrie Kim
Media Guide Manager
Pete Evanow
ABOUT MPG
The Motor Press Guild is the largest automotive media association in North America. This exclusive, non-profit organization is dedicated to upholding the highest ideals in automotive journalism and promoting education and information exchange within the motoring press. Members include print journalists, photographers, broadcasters and new media professionals, as well as public-relations representatives, consumer groups, and governmental bodies tied to the automotive industry. Student memberships are available as well.For more information, please visit www.motorpressguild.org.
Motor Press Guild
P.O. Box 4883
Orange, CA 92863[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]