autonet.ca Archives

Getting a Bit Bolder at Work

Apr 30 2013

A little, now that I have some months under my belt.
This is one of our newsletters, the arrow is pointing to my headline.

That’s Nissan’s all-new Friend-ME, designed specifically for young men in China; here’s my Autonet article.

It’s not easy being a young guy in China, a Bālínghòu -A Chinese male born in the 80s.

They must follow a lot of rules imposed by their society, and most of them have no siblings, so time with friends is considered precious.

It’s a huge demographic, and that’s why Nissan is going after all 240 milion of them. This demographic thinks about cars in an all-new way, and will influence the way they’re built in the future.

Cool eh, especially the level of built-in internet connectivity.

I just don’t think the name translates from Mandarin so great:

Friend-ME = Mandarin Bālínghòu 八零后(simplified) or 八零後(traditional) translates directly into 80 After…. or After the 80’s.

Bā = 8
líng = 0
hòu = after/later

Still, I’m not totally comfortable talking as I do here on KeriBlog though, otherwise I’d have called it…

… the “Nissan ForeverAlone” ahaha comeON

The Forever Alone meme

An Autonet & Work Update

Apr 22 2013

I’m now up to 5 articles / week – 3 news stories, my column, and a technical review like this.

(my review of the all-new Buick Encore)

I still get the biggest kick out of seeing my words in print, like: that’s all me I wrote all that. Sure I’ve written one million words here on my blog, but to hold it in your hand is a neat feeling.

Unfortunately that’s the only review I have a hard copy of, which is sad news for my fridge collection.

This week’s column (prints Wednesday) is about pedestrians, again.

My column prints with this headshot, which is so funny to me.

I took this photo with my phone, and sunglasses on you can’t tell it’s me, which amuses me endlessly. Because finally after 5 years I finally publish my last name, and it’s accompanied with that photo ha.

My headshot online though, I feel opposite about; wow is it ever awkward. I didn’t actually look so helmety-and-awkward day of.

It’s just, I’ve never liked having my photo taken, and it really shows in the shot.

My boss Joe best sums up the photo.

I jacknifed when that came in.

But the good news is, so we’re switching again to a new content management system, so I can upload a new photo.

But the problem is, time and effort has been put into building that awkwardness into banners.

This is the best banner of all, check out my 468×60… and it’s animated

My disembodied head zooms around back and forth ahaha I’m laughing too ahard ot type…

Welcome to the Autonet newsletter, I’m Keri.

Click through on my helmet hair or weird neck, and let’s go read some car news awkwardly.

Meet Autonet Teammate – Jacques Deshaies

Apr 6 2013

On the Hyundai Santa Fe XL California trip, my driving partner was Autonet.ca teammate Jacques Deshaies.

He’s an auto journalist for 15 years, stars on the TV show “Guide de l’Auto”, and collaborates on both LCN and TVA (shows on a big Quebec TV channel).

I learned a lot about doing this job while driving with him, and my photos for the paper are better than usual (he set them up). Also, I want your time management skills, Jacques ;)

He too loves to go fast, but the difference is he’s way way better at it.

Look at that back wheel.

He has his own race team in the CTCC – Canadian Touring Car Championship, and get this, is sponsored by Mazda Canada. Good luck this season!

(Note – because the team is all freelancers, we don’t really hang out, so this is a rarity. I’ve now blogged 77% of the team, nice. Meet more of my team here)