BMW's Vehicle Design Visionary Reflects on Half a Century of Innovation and Imagination

BMW's Vehicle Design Visionary Reflects on Half a Century of Innovation and Imagination

Pushing the Pedal to the Metal: BMW's Iconic "Ultimate Driving Machine" Turns 50

Fifty years ago, a phrase popped up that put the BMW brand on the map, and now the man responsible for it's creation, Martin Puris, is passing the torch. This legendary saying, known as the "Ultimate Driving Machine," has been the driving force behind BMW's marketing success for decades, and it's heading to St. John's University for all to learn from.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the "Ultimate Driving Machine," Puris is generously donating the entire Ammirati & Puris catalog to St. John's University. This treasure trove of marketing genius will be accessible to SJU students, researchers, and other universities, creating a digital collection showcasing some of the agency's unforgettable campaigns for BMW, Club Med, UPS, and more. The online exhibit will be publicly available forever.

If you're wondering what all the fuss is about, let's take a detour to the mid-70s. That's when Martin Puris, a star in the advertising world, whipped up the "Ultimate Driving Machine" for the North American BMW market. Debuting in 1974 and gaining steam after BMW's victory at the 1975 Sebring 12-hour race, this slogan emphasized BMW's commitment to performance and driver delight. Over the years, it became synonymous with BMW's pursuit of excellence in engineering and design, particularly in luxury and performance vehicles.

Martin Puris, the mastermind behind this catchy tagline, played a pivotal role in shaping BMW's marketing strategy in the U.S. market. But as for the future, it looks like this iconic slogan and the fascinating work that led to its creation will be inspiring new generations of innovators and marketers. Hop in and join the ride as this legendary phrase continues to set the bar for performance and pleasure on the open road.

1. Martin Puris, the creator of BMW's iconic "Ultimate Driving Machine" slogan, is now passing the torch.
2. The slogan has been a driving force behind BMW's marketing success in the automotive industry for five decades.
3. To mark the 50th anniversary of the "Ultimate Driving Machine," Puris is donating the Ammirati & Puris catalog to St. John's University, making it available online for students, researchers, and other universities.
4. The catalog features unforgettable campaigns for various brands, including BMW, Club Med, UPS, and more.
5. Born in the mid-70s, the "Ultimate Driving Machine" slogan emphasized BMW's commitment to performance and driver delight, becoming synonymous with the brand's pursuit of excellence in engineering and design.
6. As Puris steps back, the iconic slogan and the work that led to its creation continue to inspire new generations in the finance, transportation, lifestyle, and automotive sectors.

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