Samsung SA’s Digital Signage puts Mercedes-Benz on the Right Track

Major refurbishment upgrades the AMG Driving Academy
at Zwartkops Raceway

When Mercedes-Benz South Africa launched a major refurbishment project to upgrade its AMG Driving Academy at Zwartkops Raceway, it wanted to be able to showcase the Mercedes-AMG vehicles in a digital format. This required the assistance of digital specialists, which led to the company bringing Samsung Electronics South Africa on board, to deliver a comprehensive Digital Signage solution.
 
According to Mike van Lier, Director of Enterprise Business Division at Samsung Electronics South Africa, the goal of Mercedes-Benz was to provide the AMG Driving Academy attendees with a premium experience that went beyond simply driving on the track in their high performance AMG vehicles.
 
“Samsung undertook the initial, detailed scope for the project in September of 2014. It included a complete understanding of their requirements and was followed by a close working relationship with the architects. Samsung was also required to start 3D designs and renderings and provide support to other contractors involved in the overall project. In this way, we ensured that every detail was taken into consideration,” van Lier says.
 
Samsung supplied the AMG Driving Academy with a Samsung Digital Signage solution that comprised of a 4×4 Video Wall display, as well as a combination of 55” and 65” stand-alone displays that are positioned throughout the Academy.
 
“Any project of this magnitude will face its share of obstacles, but these were overcome through close collaboration between Samsung, Mercedes-Benz and various other contractors involved. This cooperation ultimately resulted in the technical and aesthetic aspects being effectively translated, ensuring that the outcome surpassed the vision for the Academy,” notes van Lier.
 
“Samsung provided us with great service during this upgrade, assisting from the outset of the project with valuable advice, recommendations and is still, in fact, supporting us,” says Marcel Luis Mustelier Perez, Marketing & CRM Manager at Mercedes-Benz South Africa. “The upgrade has been extremely successful as we are now able to provide a facility that matches the expectation of the brand, as well as the quality of our product. The AMG Driving Academy has hosted various events since the upgrade and the Samsung equipment plays an important role in providing a venue of exceptional standards,” Perez adds.
 
The relationship between the two organisations has since expanded. Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Samsung have already engaged on further defining the vehicle manufacturer’s Digital Dealership strategy. Successful implementations have been completed at the Mercedes-Benz Brandcentre Bedfordview as well as at the Mercedes-Benz Century Brandcentre City in Cape Town.
 
“With our assistance and solutions Mercedes-Benz has achieved the exact goal and vision it was aiming for with the AMG Driving Academy refurbishment. Furthermore, Samsung has become the company’s trusted advisor in respect of its Digital Dealership journey,” concludes van Lier.