We chatted with Faruk Heplevent in Hamburg, Germany, a creative leader in the exciting world of automotive marketing. Faruk joined us to discuss CGI-driven strategies in advertising and marketing. Computer-Generated Imagery is often viewed as the “old school” (pre-AI) way of generating graphics and photorealism in industries such as fashion and automotive. These industries have taken the lead in this field, thanks to sizable budgets and a large amount of creativity. But Faruk believes that now even marketers in SMB can try it out.
CGI tools have become more approachable and less expensive thanks to software providers such as Adobe Substance 3D or Turbo Squid (owned by Getty Images). He suggests we use CGI to create digital twins and to rapidly prototype in product development. You may also be surprised to hear why Faruk encourages us to rediscover our 5-year-old selves.
Faruk highlights three tips for customer service:
- CGI provides product development teams the privacy and secrecy they need to create advertising before product launch.
- The visual benchmarks of the Millennial, Gen X, and Alpha generations make them comfortable with the blend of artificial and realistic content provided by blending AI + CGI.
- Legislation and industry controls will be necessary to protect consumer privacy, and avoid deep fakes and other misuse in the future.
About our Guest
Faruk Heplevent
Founder & CEO at The Scope
Faruk Heplevent is a creative force in the automotive marketing industry.
In 1990, he began assisting professional photographers, first with still life and then advancing to advertising and car photography. By 1999, Faruk was working for major car brands, creating stunning visuals to capture the public’s imagination.
In 2007, he founded The Scope—an innovative company that uses cutting-edge CGI technology to create incredible images for vehicle launches and advertisements. Not only did he coin the term CG photography (using computer software to take pictures), but his team recently published Scope City in 2022: a fully computer-generated city-building tool intended to deliver top-notch work on time.
Working for brands like Audi, BMW, Tesla, Li Auto, Nio, Chrysler, Lincoln, Hyundai Genesis VW Renault & Toyota—and earning awards like Cannes Lions along the way—Faruk is an undisputed leader in this field.
When he’s not busy bringing his incredible visions into reality, Faruk loves spending time with his wife and four sons in Hamburg, Germany while making beautiful memories together.
Meet the Hosts
Cyndi W. Greenglass is a founding partner and president at Livingston Strategies, a data-informed, strategic consulting firm that helps clients develop, execute, and measure their customer communications with a close focus on results. Cyndi has razor-sharp strategic skills matched by impeccable on-the-ground savvy and tactical abilities. She is an Adjunct Instructor in the Data Marketing Communications online master's degree program from West Virginia University.
Greenglass has twice been named into the Top 100 Influential BTB Marketers by Crain’s BtoB Magazine and was the 2012 CADM Chicago Direct Marketer of the Year. She is a member of the Board of Advisors for BRAND United and has taught, trained and presented at over 50 conferences throughout the world.
Ruth P. Stevens consults on customer acquisition and retention, for business-to-business clients. Ruth serves on the boards of directors of the HIMMS Media Group, and the Business Information Industry Association. She is a trustee of Princeton-In-Asia, past chair of the Business-to-Business Council of the DMA, and past president of the Direct Marketing Club of New York.
Ruth was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Business Marketing by Crain’s BtoB magazine, and one of 20 Women to Watch by the Sales Lead Management Association. She serves as a mentor to fledgling companies at the ERA business accelerator in New York City.
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