Co-Host · Automotive Advantage

Justin Cesler

Founder, Driveline Studios

Twenty-plus years in the trenches of automotive media, marketing, and strategy — from wrenching in performance shops to running a full-service agency for some of the industry's most recognized brands.

Justin Cesler — Founder of Driveline Studios and co-host of the Automotive Advantage podcast

About Justin

Justin Cesler didn't come up through a marketing program. He came up through performance shops, magazine editorial rooms, and a 2001 Trans Am that changed the direction of his career. That hands-on foundation is what makes him a different kind of marketing operator — one who understands both the product and the audience at a level most agency people never reach.

He's the founder of Driveline Studios, a full-service marketing and content agency built specifically for the automotive aftermarket. Over the past decade — and through earlier iterations going back further — Driveline has worked with Fortune 500 OEMs, global racing programs, major trade organizations, and independent performance shops alike. The through-line is always the same: serious strategy delivered by people who actually know the industry.

On Automotive Advantage, Justin brings that same perspective — asking the business questions that most automotive conversations skip over, and pushing guests to go beyond the surface story to the mechanics underneath.

Career

A path built from the ground up — shops, editorial, agency, enterprise, and back again.

Where It Started

Performance Shops

ST Performance · Carter Racing Enterprises

Before media, before agencies — Justin started in the shop. Working alongside builders and tuners gave him an understanding of how performance businesses actually operate that has informed everything since.

Editorial & Media

Associate Editor → Technical Editor

GM High Tech Performance Magazine

A job posting on LS1Tech.com led to one of the most respected publications in GM performance media. Justin covered technical builds, tested parts, and shot cars — developing a photographic eye and editorial voice that carried through to contributions at Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords, High Performance Pontiac, 5.0 Mustang, Hot Rod, and others.

Agency & Content — Round One

Founder · Driveline Studios

Early-stage marketing and content for aftermarket brands

The first iteration of Driveline focused on marketing and content creation for performance brands — including HP Tuners (as global media partner) and Vengeance Racing — alongside continued freelance editorial work for the major automotive magazines.

Enterprise Marketing

Account Manager → Account Supervisor → Senior Strategist

One10 Inc

Moved into enterprise-level agency work overseeing the Chevrolet Performance account, with additional responsibility across Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC Accessories. Built the strategic muscle for managing complex, multi-brand campaigns at scale — experience that shaped how Driveline approaches clients today.

Today

Founder · Driveline Studios

Full-service automotive marketing agency · Pontiac, MI · Est. 2020

Driveline Studios in its current form is a turn-key marketing agency designed specifically for enthusiast-based automotive brands — combining strategy, content creation, commercial photography, video production, branding, and advertising under one roof. Justin continues to work with One10 on select projects alongside Driveline's growing client roster.

Driveline Studios

Turn-Key Marketing for Automotive Brands

Strategy, content creation, commercial photography, video production, branding, and advertising — all built for the automotive aftermarket. From Fortune 500 OEMs to independent performance shops, Driveline handles the full campaign.

Visit Driveline Studios →
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Content Creation
  • Commercial Photography
  • Video Production
  • Branding & Design
  • Advertising Campaigns

Notable Clients

Vengeance Racing
Suburban Automotive Services
SEMA
PRI
HPX
Chevrolet Performance
Ford Performance
McLaren Automotive

Beyond the Work

Justin is a car person first — and that means he's into all of it. You'll find him on dirt trails, on track at HPDE events, behind the wheel of a sim rig, or deep in another project build. The breadth is real.

His current obsession is Project SALT — a 2001 Pontiac Trans Am purpose-built for standing mile racing, built by Vengeance Racing. It's the same car that got him the job at GM High-Tech Performance Magazine all those years ago, and the project that, in a lot of ways, represents the full circle of a career built around the love of the car.

He's also a speaker at the High Performance Expo (HPX) and has partnered with Macomb Community College's design program to give students real-world client experience.

🏁 Standing Mile Racing
🏔️ Off-Road & Overlanding
🏎️ HPDE Track Driving
🎮 SIM Racing
📸 Automotive Photography
🎙️ Automotive Advantage Podcast

Connect with Justin

Whether you're a listener, a brand looking for a strategic partner, or someone building something in the automotive space — Justin wants to hear from you. The whole point of the show is the conversation.