Chevrolet and Microsoft Advertising Rev Up the Test-Drive Experience for New Chevrolet Volt

By Microsoft Corp., PRNE
Monday, June 21, 2010

Chevrolet is the first automaker to launch a multiscreen ad campaign that allows consumers to 'kick the tires' virtually using Kinect for Xbox 360.

PARIS, REDMOND, Washington and DETROIT, June 22, 2010 - Chevrolet and Microsoft Advertising demonstrated at the 2010 Cannes Lions
International Advertising Festival today an example of the first multiscreen
advertising campaign that incorporates Kinect for Xbox 360 as a way to
promote the Chevrolet Volt electric car launch later this year. Formerly
called "Project Natal," Kinect for Xbox 360 delivers a whole new way to play,
with controller-free games and entertainment. For advertisers, it provides an
innovative way to connect with consumers by enabling them to physically
explore and engage with a brand through voice and gesture.

(Photo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

(Photo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

When Kinect for Xbox 360 launches this fall, consumers will have the
opportunity to take the test-drive concept to a new level by driving a
Chevrolet Volt in "Kinect Joy Ride," the first controller-free racing game
from Microsoft Game Studios. After viewing the video advertisement in-dash on
Xbox LIVE or on the Web, consumers will be able to unlock the Chevrolet Volt
in "Kinect Joy Ride" to actually drive the car in the game.

Kinect for Xbox 360 opens a new world of controller-free games and
entertainment. A special sensor recognizes players and responds to their
movements and gestures. Kinect can also take pictures during gameplay, which
players will be able to upload to their favorite social sites when the game
ends.

"The Volt applies advanced environmental technology to give Chevrolet
drivers freedom from the gas pump, making it one of the most exciting
developments the automotive industry has seen in years," said Jim Campbell,
U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. "Our marketing campaign needs to
reflect this. Kinect allows us to bring the excitement of the showroom to the
living rooms of our customers. It's a way for us to replicate the experience
of physically engaging with a product that is essential to the customer's
purchasing decision."

The demonstration of the potential Chevrolet Volt campaign shown at the
Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival today illustrates a number of
innovative ways that brands can connect with consumers through touch and
gesture on the PC, TV and mobile device. One proof of concept being explored
involves a mobile brand experience, in which consumers can add a local
Chevrolet promotion event to their calendar to go test-drive a Volt or use
voice-enabled search on Bing to find locations near them. Chevrolet will be
the first auto marketer to incorporate a branded advertising experience for
the new Windows Phone 7.

Another proof-of-concept technology being shown is Microsoft's Pivot
technology, a feature designed to provide consumers with a quick way to
explore, organize and visualize large amounts of data and make it more
useful. It works by utilizing Deep Zoom technology (built into Microsoft
Silverlight), which manipulates a vast array of items at once, all in high
resolution, allowing consumers to zoom in and out of content on the screen.
For instance, consumers could zoom in to see a close-up of the Volt exterior
and interior features without having to flip between pages.

"Chevrolet Volt is not only offering a new way for car buyers to interact
with and learn about a vehicle before heading to the dealership," said Darren
Huston
, corporate vice president of the Global Consumer & Online group at
Microsoft. "It's enabling people to virtually test drive the Volt from the
comfort of their own living room. This campaign showcases the kind of
breakthrough digital campaigns we can deliver for marketers when we combine
great partnerships with leading-edge software innovation."

Other considerations for the final phases of the multiscreen ad campaign
are to set up Kinect kiosks at Chevrolet's promotional events and showrooms
so that car buyers can play "Kinect Joy Ride," and installing Microsoft
Surface tables at the events, which could include information on Volt and
allow potential car buyers to download photos and videos from their personal
"Kinect Joy Ride" session.

Chevrolet's multiscreen ad campaign, conceptualized with Starcom through
Microsoft Advertising, will start this summer. The first ad experiences will
be unveiled in the U.S. across MSN and MSN Autos, Xbox LIVE and a custom
Chevrolet advertising microsite followed by the mobile and Surface
integrations. Deal terms were not disclosed. Consumers can visit
advertising.microsoft.com for more information about the multiscreen
campaign and www.chevrolet.com/volt to learn more about the Chevrolet
Volt.

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is a global automotive brand, with annual sales of about 3.5
million vehicles in more than 130 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers
with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality,
expressive design, spirited performance and value. In the U.S., the Chevrolet
portfolio includes: iconic performance cars, such as Corvette and Camaro;
dependable, long lasting pickups and SUVs, such as Silverado and Suburban;
and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers, such as Malibu, Equinox and
Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions
including the Cruze Eco and Volt, both arriving in late 2010. Cruze Eco will
offer up to 40 mpg highway while the Chevrolet Volt will offer up to 40 miles
of electric, gas-free driving and an additional 300 miles of extended range
(based on GM testing; official EPA estimates not yet available). Most new
Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security, and convenience technologies
including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response, and Stolen
Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models, fuel
solutions, and OnStar availability can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About Microsoft Advertising

Microsoft Advertising provides advertisers and publishers with media,
tools and services designed to drive deep and profitable engagement with
their audiences. This includes a global media network of Microsoft properties
such as MSN, Windows Live, Xbox LIVE, and partner properties such as WSJ.com
and Verizon. The Microsoft Advertiser and Publisher Suites simplify planning
and management of campaigns and content, offering a range of services that
help advertisers and publishers untangle the complexities of digital media
and get more out of their marketing and content investments. Microsoft
Advertising makes buying and selling media simple, smart and cost-effective
across media and devices spanning 42 markets and 21 languages. Visit
advertising.microsoft.com for more information.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.

Alex Janmohamed of Microsoft, +44-7971-002-936, alex.janmohamed at microsoft.com; or Adam Denison of Chevrolet, +1-313-665-5127, adam.denison at gm.com; or Rapid Response Team of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, +1-503-443-7070, rrt at waggeneredstrom.com, for Microsoft / NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

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