From Jaguar’s rebrand to Monet customization, auto-enthusiasts talk marketing

The luxury industry has shifted gears, and the intersection of high-end branding and the automotive world has never been more dynamic. That’s why Jing Daily has teamed up with automotive platform Cart Dept to launch Cars & Culture, a fortnightly newsletter dedicated to keeping you in the fast-paced loop of automotive news in cultural marketing. From the latest industry innovations and high-fashion collaborations to the evolving role of cars in viral campaigns, Cars & Culture is your fast-track to understanding the role cars are playing across the creative industries. And who better to break all of that down than the industry’s most passionate followers? Every Cars & Culture issue will feature interviews with content creators and experts. Providing a snapshot of the past five issues, here is what our car enthusiasts think everyone should know about car branding. Callum Mullin, content creator @callummullin (170,000 followers), @callumscars (210,000 followers) “Don’t judge a car brand by its cover. Take Jaguar’s rebrand, for example — it’s interesting but debatable from a marketing standpoint. If they had continued on their original trajectory, they probably would have kept losing money. The concept cars they put out are intriguing, but who knows what the final production models will actually look like? It’s a reminder that branding alone doesn’t make a car great — it has to be backed up with real innovation.” Michael Bodell, COO at Peteresen Automotive Museum “Cars are unique as a product because of their ability to mobilize the masses and give their owners freedom. Cars are also very emotional purchases because of their cost and representation of their driver. To me, the fact would be to know your audience.” Zach Levitan, bespoke automotive designer and curator @curatedbyzach (399,000 followers) “At its core, car branding is storytelling. The most successful brands don’t just build cars — they create an identity. The best branding connects a car to something bigger, whether it’s history, culture, or emotion. For me, in my posts, I work hard to build these connections — whether it’s doing a matcha-inspired spec, a cotton candy-themed build, or incorporating a Monet piece in the background that perfectly complements the car. It’s about tying the car to something meaningful, creating a visual and emotional story that resonates. That’s what makes a car more than just a machine — that’s what builds a lasting connection.” Aurora Straus racecar driver, consultant, and musician @aurorastraus (65,800 followers) “More of a ‘lesson’ than a ‘fact,’ but — you don’t get to tell the customers what they want; they tell you! Cadillac is the perfect example. I wrote my thesis about how Cadillac built its name on exclusivity, and for decades, tried not to sell its cars to Black consumers, even though these consumers were willing to pay a premium just to get their hands on one. Eventually, Black buyers made Cadillac their own, turning it into a symbol of economic power, success, and even civil rights. The company eventually realized they were a massive part of what kept the brand alive.” James Howson, founder of automotive agency Ralle @jymboplays (19,300 followers) “Jaguar messed up with the new brand and car launch. From the outside, yes it was awful. But it got eyes on an otherwise idling brand.”

Cars and Culture guests talk automotive dos and don’ts

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Cars and Culture guests talk automotive dos and don’ts