MEDIACATALYST RECREATES ADRENALINE RUSH OF RIDING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW YAMAHA VMAX 2009 MOTORBIKE ON RICH MEDIA CAMPAIGN SITE

AMSTERDAM, 06-08-2008 – Amsterdam-based interactive agency MediaCatalyst has created a rich media site where visitors can experience in sound and sight the rush of Yamaha’s legendary motorbike the VMAX 2009, available exclusively online in limited edition at www.new-vmax.com.

1985 saw the birth of Yamaha’s first VMAX, a beast of a muscle bike and reigning Quarter Mile King that acquired instant cult status. 2009 witnesses its rebirth: nearly a decade in the making by Yamaha’s dedicated team, the new VMAX 2009 is poised to push the asphalt and burn rubber once again.

Michaela Neilson, Online Communications Manager for Yamaha Motor Europe remarks: “Over 30 countries are benefiting from this site’s great interactivity. We really pushed the envelope having everything, from photography and video production to the development, done last minute. This really was a high adrenaline project! We couldn’t have done it without the commitment and energy of MediaCatalyst.”

The only source of all things Yamaha VMAX 2009, the campaign site needed to be every bit as pumped up as the powerbike itself. MediaCatalyst has transposed the adrenaline rush of riding the Yamaha VMAX to an online experience. No rich media efforts were spared: the visitors can hear the Yamaha VMAX 2009’s roaring engines in stereo, watch it speed off while controlling the angle of the camera, marvel at its design in 360˚, peruse its detailed tech specs and immerse themselves in its complete history.

The Yamaha VMAX 2009 will not be physically available in dealerships, but instead is available for view exclusively online. Only at www.new-vmax.com, it can be admired, scrutinized, and reserved for purchase. Michaela Neilson, Online Communications Manager for Yamaha Motor Europe says: “Only online, people can look at, but also reserve their VMAX, choose their dealer and where they would like their bike delivered. Our customers can even personalize their VMAX 2009 with a unique plate.”

As the Yamaha VMAX 2009 was kept tightly under wraps until its reveal, a teaser version of the site generated quite a buzz. The minute the fully-fledged Yamaha VMAX 2009 campaign site went live, it spread like a wildfire. The sole source for VMAX information, this campaign site turned viral indeed. To confirm its success, Yamaha New Zealand/Australia adopted the Yamaha Europe VMAX 2009 site created by MediaCatalyst.

MediaCatalyst is a full-service interactive agency with its main office in the heart of Amsterdam and branches in New York, Los Angeles, and Malta. See: www.mediacatalyst.com and blog.mediacatalyst.com.