new car launch – Mazda MX-5 RF
The UK launch of the new Mazda MX-5 RF sports car was held at The Great Barn Devon over the course of 3 days in February 2017. Around 90 journalists were flown by private jet into Exeter airport where they picked up one of the new cars. They then drove to The Great Barn for lunch as well as a presentation about the iconic Mazda MX-5.
We were incredibly proud to have been chosen by Mazda UK for such an important part of their UK press and PR campaign for the new Mazda MX-5 RF. The weather couldn’t have been better .. cold, sunny, bright, crisp days. A perfect showcase for Devon.
Four vintage Mazdas were displayed alongside the new model, all of which had been delivered by a huge juggernaut which parked up by Exeter racecourse. The cars were individually loaded onto a smaller trailer and brought down into the valley. The two big double doors at the back of the Great Barn were opened and the cars pushed in. John then did a brilliant job lighting them. Two other Mazda sports cars were parked outside next to the big front doors and when all the journalists had arrived, the courtyard was filled to the brim with amazing sports cars!
While the journalists looked at the cars, we gave them a delicious Dartmoor Kitchen lunch, coffee, cakes and fruit. They then climbed back in their cars and drove across Dartmoor, arriving at the Salcombe Harbour Hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Testimonial from PFPR Communications and Mazda UK
What a stunning venue! The Great Barn is the highest quality barn conversion I have ever seen and the personal service from John and Emma was just outstanding.
My PR and events agency, which specialises in the global automotive industry, was planning the UK media launch of the new Mazda MX-5 RF sports car, which would involve flying 30 motoring journalists a day into Exeter over three days for a test drive around Devon. We needed to find a stylish and exclusive venue for our Mazda UK client to stage a presentation each day but I never expected to find such a wonderful facility within easy reach of Exeter.
Mazda wanted a distinctive venue where they could display one of the new cars alongside five heritage models in a venue where the car company’s Managing Director could make an informal presentation and the media could have a lunch prior to their afternoon test drive.
The Great Barn was ideal and the superb lighting system enabled the cars to be displayed perfectly. The catering and service was first class too.
The Great Barn is clearly a magical venue for a wedding but we discovered that it is just as special for a memorable corporate event too. It always helps when a venue’s owners ensure they “get under the skin” of an event so that they fully understand the requirements and the objectives in order to ensure that it all works perfectly for their clients. That’s exactly what John and Emma did for our event, which was a huge success.
Peter Frater
Chairman and Founder
