The deadline to enter your submission for the 2014 Wrap Like a King Challenge is September 15. Entries will be narrowed down by the judges to 32 finalists for the Fan Favorite Award based on creative use of wrap products, inspiration behind the design, uniqueness of the design, perceived difficulty and skill level of the install, and overall look/public appeal. On September 19, the Top 32 submissions will be announced.
In addition to choosing the Top 32 finalists for the Fan Favorite Award, the panel of judges will also choose the winner of the Judges’ Choice Award. All six judges from the 2013 Challenge returned to the panel this year, and an additional judge was added. The seven judges, Ryan Friedlinghaus, Kevin Putnam, Dan Marx, Paul Roba, Justin Pate, Ruggs Kochevar and Frank Defeo, will use the same criteria to choose the winner of their award.
Ryan Friedlinghaus is the founder and CEO of West Coast Customs and has been in the custom automobile industry for over 20 years. In the 2014 Challenge, Ryan is looking forward submissions that push the boundaries of traditional car wraps. He wants to see more than just a simple color change.
Paul Roba is Avery Dennison’s North American technical manager. He works directly with Avery Dennison customers to make sure they’re getting the most out of our products. He also manages the car wrap training, certification and warranty programs for Avery Dennison. For 2014, Paul challenges installers to wrap their vehicles completely, including all portions of the vehicle, including the doorjambs and recesses.
Dan Marx is another returning Wrap Like a King judge. Dan is the vice president of markets and technologies for SGIA, and the managing director of PDAA. Along with Ryan and Paul Roba, Dan has over 20 years of experience in the installation industry. In 2014, submissions that are a total vehicle transformation will win Dan’s vote. He’s looking forward to seeing the real artistry of this year’s competitors.
Kevin Putnam is the lead designer and social media manager for West Coast Customs. As a returning judge for the Wrap Like a King Challenge, Kevin is looking forward to see brand new designs and innovative uses of Avery Dennison materials.
James “Ruggs” Kochevar is the publisher of Sign & Digital Graphics and WRAPS magazines. He is looking forward to viewing the before and after shots and mandatory videos in the 2014 Wrap Like a King Challenge. Ruggs can’t wait to see the changes the vehicles go through. The crazier the change, the more likely the submission will receive his vote for the Judges’ Choice Award.
Justin Pate is also a returning judge for this year’s Challenge. Justin is an expert car wrap instructor and installer. He works closely with Avery Dennison at wrap certification workshops and trade shows. Justin is also the creator of UGIS: Universal Graphic Installation System, and The Wrap Institute. To receive Justin’s vote, competitors need to take their wraps to the next level and go above and beyond anything they’ve ever done before.
The seventh and final judge in this year’s Challenge is Frank Defeo of CroftgateUSA. Frank is the global sales and marketing director and new to this year’s judging panel. Frank was with last year’s winner at SEMA and got a first hand look at what it really means to be crowned the “King of the Wraps.” He’s looking forward to the before and after shots of the 2014 submissions and seeing the full process that goes into a vehicle wrap.
To learn more about the judges in this year’s Wrap Like a King Challenge, visit http://bit.ly/WrapLikeaKingJudges. You can also find more information about the Fan Favorite and Judges’ Choice awards and how to submit your entry on the competition's site.