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Zulu's Harley-Davidson Cafe: Where Americana Meets Americano


Toronto creative agency Zulu Alpha Kilo has just launched a really cool project for it's newest client Harley-Davidson. Instead of doing a campaign that only lasts for a few weeks, they created an immersive brand experience for Harley-Davidson that will last into the fall.

Harley-Davidson is known for making motorcycles but now they’re becoming known for making something else: Coffee.

The brand has launched 1903: A Harley-Davidson Café®. The full-service coffee shop serves as an ode to the brand’s rich history. ‘1903’ being the year the legendary manufacturer was founded. The connection between motorcycles and coffee dates back to 1960s café racer culture. When groups of riders would get together and race simple, stripped down motorcycles from one café to another.

Inside the café, every inch of its design pays homage to Harley’s heritage of old world craftsmanship and quality while maintaining a modern asthetic. Adorning the space are collections of archival photography, tools, restored classic bikes, as well as new bikes that visitors are welcome to hop on for a photo op. Or to get a closer look at a motorcycle they’re interested in purchasing without having to leave the downtown core. Currently, dealerships only exist outside the city, making it difficult for a younger, urban consumer to experience the brand.

1903 was promoted through social media as well as a series of wild postings that were hung in the surrounding neighbourhood. The posters were printed with a specially crafted ink made from the actual coffee served inside the café, giving them the texture and scent of real coffee.
1903: A Harley-Davidson Café® is open now through to the end of September.


Creative Credits:
Agency: Zulu Alpha Kilo
Client (Company): Harley-Davidson Canada
Chief Creative Officer: Zak Mroueh
Executive Creative Director: Allen Oke
Art Director/ACD: Noel Fenn
Writer/ACD: Andrew Caie
Design Director: Ryan Booth
Social: Curtis Denomme, George Ault, Joel Felker
Clients: Anoop Prakash, Jo Figueiredo, Karen Mayberry, Vesa Mikkola, Marco Di Giantomasso, Jayden Rioux, Catherine O’Brien, Daniel Kerr
Studio Artists: Greg Hepinstall, Brandon Dyson, Ashleigh O'Brien, Andrew Martin, Amanda Braun
Agency Producers: Kari Macknight Dearborn, Laura Dubcovsky, Pam Portsmouth
Account Team: Kerry McKibbin, Maya Adler
Strategy: Heidi Philip, Jamie Cuthbertson, Sam Kamiel (Social)
Photographer: Michael Headford, Jason Baker, Goldmond Fong, Laura Friedmann, Patrick Nichols, Dan Lim
Sound Recording: Ian Reynolds
Media Agency: Jan Kelley
Media Team: Stephanie Spinney
PR Agency: Weber Shandwick
PR Team: Melissa Graham, Sophie Shin, Dana Frank
Event Company: Construction and fabrication provided by The Mint Agency
Construction, Interior design and Fabrication: The Mint Agency Mint Project Management: Andrew Gayle, Jennifer Landgen, Jon Davine
Mint Interior Design: Adam Elijah
Lead Fabricator: Humberto Garcia
Coffee Ink Producer: Toronto Ink Company / Jason Logan