Picture a car

For Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield, meeting sales goals in the luxury car market in a dicey economic climate requires creativity.

Mercedes has partnered with Venture Portrait Studios, a high-end photography studio with locations in Westport and Greenwich, to put the gas pedal to the process.

“From a joint luxury brand like Mercedes and Venture we”™re hitting that demographic of a customer that”™s our brand their brand,” said Randall Seymore, Penske Automotive group area vice president for Connecticut. “Ultimately it”™s a benefit for the customer; at a minimum it”™s a goodwill gesture to give to the customer.”

Seymore said the partnership is intended to heighten awareness of summer as prime time for purchasing a new automobile.

“Our partnership with Venture Portraits enables us to offer an exciting and very different opportunity to customers,” said Seymore. “We have consistently created co-branded events in our stores that add to the overall car-buying atmosphere and experience, generating increased sales for all parties involved.”

Venture Portraits Studios gave an $865 gift certificate to any customers who purchased a new or used Mercedes-Benz during a three-day period recently.

The studio package included a 75-minute photography session, followed by an hour of creative design consultation and a keepsake image framed in wood.

Venture Portraits has its latest portraits on display at the Mercedes dealership and has provided gift bags to all guests who registered at the three-day event.

Also present at the Mercedes event was Viale Ristorante of Bridgeport which served food from their summer menu and contributed to the gift bags.

Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield is located at 165 Commerce Drive in Fairfield.

In the past, Mercedes of Fairfield has taken to creative promotions partnering with Blue Water Spa, Lenox Jewelers, Albe Furs and a variety of other businesses.

“We find it to be very successful and hope to partner with Venture again soon,” said Seymore.