27/07/2026
Every great PR story starts before the headlines.
Before LOUIS-NICOLAS DARBON arrived in Budapest to complete the iconic Formula 1 art car for The Ritz-Carlton during the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, I wanted audiences to know the artist behind the project.
So, together with the incredibly talented News and Media Holding Slovakia brand manager Andy Kubalakova, I secured his first and only interview for the Slovak market, published in both EMMA Magazine and EMMA Digital.
At the time, very few people knew the story behind the artist who had worked for Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, and had gone on to become The Ritz-Carlton’s official Artist Partner, creating works inspired by the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team.
A few weeks later, the world watched as Louis finished painting the life-size Mercedes W14 replica in front of The Ritz-Carlton Budapest, an activation that became one of the highlights of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend and was later recognised by the Shorty Awards. The project culminated with George Russell unveiling the finished artwork alongside Louis in front of hundreds of fans.
For me, this is what PR is all about.
Not waiting for a story to become news—but recognising it early, introducing the people behind it, and helping build the anticipation before the big moment arrives.
Thank you to the amazing editorial team at EMMA Eva Blahutova and News and Media Holding Slovakia for believing in the story and making it happen.
LouisNicolasDarbon