MediaCatalyst wins W3 award

The Winners of The 2008 W3 Awards have been announced by the International Academy of the Visual Arts. Honouring creative excellence on the web, our work for Canon EOS 400D picked up a silver statuette. The W3 Awards received over 3,000 entries this year.

So say the W3 folks: “We were amazed at the caliber and quality of work received this year. Our winners continue to push the envelope of internet creativity and web design, and it is gratifying to see such great work from the smallest agencies to the biggest firms” said Linda Day, the director of the IAVA. “On behalf of the The International Academy of the Visual Arts, we are honored to recognize our winners as they continue to set a high standard of excellence for Web development.”

 

Yamaha VMAX 2009 roars exclusively online

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 is poised to push the asphalt and burn rubber once again. We have created the site where visitors can experience in sound and sight the rush of Yamaha's legendary motorbike. Exceptionally, the V-MAX is available exclusively online - it's not for sale nor view in the dealerships! - and in a limited edition only.

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 VMAX, the campaign site needed to be every bit as pumped up as the powerbike itself. MediaCatalyst has transposed the adrenaline rush of riding the VMAX to anonline experience . No rich media efforts were spared: the visitors can hear the VMAX’ 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.

Since the VMAX is not physically available in dealerships, it can only be admired, scrutinized, and reserved for purchase online. Michaela Neilson remarks: “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 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. Most importantly, the site has helped far exceed expectations of all sales targets.