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Audi
Tours the World with Seal |
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May 14, 2007 |
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When two of the most successful in their field get
together, the result is a partnership of a special kind.
Besides giving concerts all around the world, the
British soul singer Seal tours the world as an Audi
ambassador, representing the brand with the four rings.
"His amazing career is an unparalleled success story,
characterised by extraordinary ambition, creativity and
fantastic music. I am particularly pleased that Seal
approached us with the proposal of entering into a
partnership." Ralph Weyler, Board Member for Marketing
and Sales at AUDI AG, can hardly hide his excitement
about working alongside the exceptional English musician
who has such an impressive record. Seal has sold more
than 15 million albums since he launched his career in
1990. In the same period, Audi has sold more than 10
million cars – successful statistics from a successful
duo, statistics to be proud of.
But success is not only the only thing that Seal shares
with Audi. An enthusiastic photographer, he studied
architecture and is also a technology enthusiast and a
fan of flawless design. Sporty, sophisticated cars have
a special attractiveness for the artist, a
self-confessed engineering aficionado. The singer with
the unmistakable, soulful voice has already made two
appearances at Audi events so far this year. At the
Detroit Motor Show on 7 January 2007, Seal helped to
liven up the atmosphere with his hit "Crazy". At the
same time, a world first was presented: the Audi Q7 V12
TDI is the first car to have a twelve-cylinder diesel
engine fitted as standard. When Seal discovered the 500
bhp SUV, one thing was clear to him: "I have been
driving an Audi Q7 with a petrol engine for one and a
half years, and I use it almost every day. Yet my first
thought when I saw the V12 TDI was: When can I get that
car?"
Seal's Audi fleet already has one new addition. At his
appearance in Las Vegas on 15 January during the
presentation of the Audi R8, he took a seat in the brand
new mid-engined sports car, and declared: "I want one!"
Just a few weeks later, Seal was the proud owner of the
first Audi R8 cars in the USA.
Superstar Seal is also meeting the latest member of the
Audi model range, the Audi A5, in an exclusive setting –
at its market launch in Germany. Under the motto “Talk
of the Town”, special events are being held from 9 to 14
June in Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, Berlin and Hamburg.
To make these events even more exclusive, Seal himself
will be rounding off the formal presentation of the A5
with a live performance. Only the very best for this
highly emotional coupé, which Audi chief designer Walter
de’Silva created and has very proudly described as “the
most beautiful car I have ever designed”.
Moreover, Seal maintains close contact with Ingolstadt.
Being married to German supermodel Heidi Klum is not
Seal's only connection with Germany – he also has close
artistic links. Last year Seal made an appearance at the
Audi Summer Concerts in Ingolstadt. His last album "Seal
1V" was an international best seller and received the
"Bambi", Germany's principal media award, in 2004.
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adelo Samuel was born in
London in 1963, the son of Brazilian and Nigerian
immigrants. At the age of eleven, he made his first
stage appearance. Four years later he set off on a
journey around the world. Seal took on various minor
jobs, keeping his head above water working as an
electronics engineer and designer of leather clothing.
No wonder that Seal is fascinated by technically refined
cars with sophisticated, sporty design. On the side, he
intensively pursued his musical career, finally
achieving a breakthrough in 1990 with the song "Killer",
which promptly hit Number 1 in the UK charts.
Since then, the Audi brand ambassador has been a major
influence on the international music scene. Seal has won
a number of the most prestigious awards in the music
business. In 1992, the soulful singer won three Brit
Awards. In 1994, his song "Kiss from a Rose" made him a
star around the world, and two years later it brought
him three Grammys. This makes Seal one of the most
successful solo artists of our time.
"It was like cracking a code, opening a valve. I am in
the middle of the most creative period of my life, and I
think you can hear that on my albums," says Seal about
the development in his music, a unique blend of soul,
pop and rock characterised by the velvety voice of the
man with the imposing presence.
Audi music sponsorship
"Musical development is a creative process which goes
hand in hand with Audi's philosophy – promoting
innovations, setting trends. Audi not only takes up
technical and economical challenges, it also assumes a
pioneering role when it comes to cultural issues.
Creative examination of the world of music is
particularly important for our employees. It enables
them to be inspired and motivated by artistic
performances. Our objective remains to collaborate with
people like Seal, who share our very high quality
standards," explains Ralph Weyler, Board Member for
Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG, about Audi's musical
activities.
Sponsoring modern music is a permanent fixture of Audi's
corporate personality. For many years AUDI AG has been
supporting big names in the music business and has
played its part in making top musical performances
possible.
Audi has already enjoyed more than five years of
partnership with one of Seal's most famous compatriots,
Sir Elton John. The aim of this partnership is to raise
funds for the fight against AIDS. To this end, a charity
auction is held every year as part of Elton John's Oscar
Viewing Party. On 25 February 2007, an Audi R8 and a TT
Roadster were auctioned, raising $ 290,000, every cent
of which will go towards AIDS prevention and research.
Besides Elton John, many more famous names in the music
industry place their trust in the Audi VIP Shuttle
Service, for example Nelly Furtado, Macy Gray, James
Blunt and Bryan Ferry.
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