In 2007, Daimler set up a team to develop new business ventures for the Mercedes-Benz brand within 10 months. Working with Wolff Olins, the team launched 10 new pilot businesses, including Kinderclass in January 2009 which offers elegant solutions for family mobility. In June 2009, Mercedes-Benz Drive Academy was launched as the first advanced driving school of its kind. These new ventures help protect and leverage the Mercedes-Benz brand while attracting new customers and building sustainability credentials to generate over 20% return on sales.

1. MERCEDES-BENZ: Growing a
global icon
In 2007, Daimler set up a team of senior executives to develop new
10 MONTHS, 3 NEW brand as one of the most important assets to leverage, the Business
BUSINESSES Innovation team approached Wolff Olins to help develop appropriate
putting one of the world’s most iconic brands at risk.
From ideas Wolff Olins developed a brand-led innovation framework that ensures
to reality that each venture protects the Mercedes-Benz brand, leverages
what is tangibly special about it (e.g. German engineering), gives the
brand new relevance in the world (for example attracting younger
customers and building new sustainability credentials) and makes
money (with a return on sales of 20% or more). Working with Daimler’s
Business Innovation team and the leaders of the business in UK,
US, China and Japan, we developed 10 new businesses to pilot.
In January 2009 (10 months after the start of the project), Daimler
launched Kinderclass - elegant solutions for family mobility - at
Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey UK. June 2009 marked the launch
kind in the world. Later in 2009, an exclusive travel service will be
launched in China.
A platform
for growth child safety accessories and continues to attract younger families
to the Mercedes-Benz brand. The Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy
was received enthusiastically, gaining over 500 customers within
eight weeks. The Times credited the brand for ‘highlighting a huge
Wolff Olins and long ignored problem.’ The Academy aims to have 1,000
franchises by 2015 and by August 2009 has already received 200
+44 20 7713 7733 franchise applicants.
+1 212 505 7337
+9 7144 01 9581
www.wolffolins.com © 2009 Wolff Olins Limited. All rights reserved.