On April 4th (local time), Hyundai Group won two awards at Newsweek’s ‘2023 Great Disruptive Innovators of the Automotive Industry’ ceremony held at the World Trade Center in New York City.
Hyundai Group’s Chief Creative Officer (CCO) Luke Donkerbolke received the ‘Designer of the Year’ award, while the Genesis House, an integrated brand hub for Genesis, was honored with the ‘Marketing Strategy of the Year’ award.
The renowned global news weekly, Newsweek, selected and awarded individuals or organizations that have driven groundbreaking and creative changes in the automotive industry across nine categories during this event.
Luke Donkerbolke has been leading Hyundai Group’s design-based brand communication, earning praise for presenting a new vision for the automotive industry.
He has previously received acclaim for the ‘X Concept’ series, which outlines the design direction of the Genesis brand amid the transition to the electric vehicle era, as well as for the design of the Genesis flagship sedan ‘G90,’ which has garnered numerous awards at major automotive award ceremonies worldwide.
Luke Donkerbolke expressed, “There is nothing better than doing what you love and receiving such an honorable award.” He added, “I feel it is a great honor to be recognized as a ‘disruptor’ by Newsweek.” He also stated, “I strive to continuously draw inspiration, innovate, and not rest on my laurels, and all of this is thanks to the trust of my dedicated team members and leaders.”
The Genesis House, which won the ‘Marketing Strategy of the Year’ award, is a hybrid brand hub located in Manhattan’s cultural and arts center, the Meatpacking District. It features not only a vehicle exhibition showroom but also fine dining restaurants, performance venues, and various cultural experiences that embody Genesis’s unique brand identity.
Since its opening in 2021, Genesis House has been utilized for various experiences, including fashion shows, musical performances, installation art, and concept car launches. Additionally, the Genesis House restaurant presents dishes inspired by royal cuisine from the Joseon Dynasty, in collaboration with ‘Onji Eum,’ a Michelin-starred restaurant in Seoul.
Genesis North America COO Claudia Marquez expressed gratitude for the recognition of their innovative marketing collaborations conducted at Genesis House, stating, “Our goal is to share the Genesis House experience with everyone interested in Genesis and we look forward to continuing to host even more diverse events and activities in the future.”
By Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr