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6 • July 13, 2015 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com team as inside sales representative. Matthew Rada, design and digital market- ing. Graphic designer and digital marketing specialist Rada will provide digital support to Schuberth and Held dealers while also pro- ducing and managing the company's design assets. Rada most recently applied his degree in graphic design at Hurley Clothing and will work to communicate the Schuberth and Held USA brand messages. Schuberth North America vice president Randy Northrup added, "We have been fortunate to enjoy five successful years of substantial growth. With the addition of the Held brand we decided the time was right to add these regional sales managers and internal support to better serve our partner dealers. Customer service, training and dealer support is always a top priority for us, and we are excited to lend our support and resources to foster these prosperous relation- ships with our dealers." PR AGENCY WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR SLINGSHOT LAUNCH Skyya Communications, a public relations agency with offices in Minneapolis and New York City, announced it was honored with a Big Apple Award at the 26th annual Big Apple Awards ceremony held on May 28 at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City. The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New York chapter recognized Skyya in the "Marketing Consumer Products — Non- Packaged Goods" category for its outstanding launching and marketing the all-new Polaris Slingshot three-wheeled roadster on behalf of Polaris Industries, Inc. The win follows a 2014 Big Apple Award recognizing Skyya for its global PR campaign relaunching Indian Motorcycle, America's first and most iconic motorcycle. Polaris Industries celebrated its 60th anni- versary in July 2014 under the theme "60 Years of Innovation," and Skyya's launch of the radically innovative Polaris Slingshot was timed to coincide with this event. The 2015 Slingshot roared onto the global automotive scene sporting a radical three-wheeled stance and an open cockpit with no doors or roof, instantly creating a new automotive industry category. With a minimal advertising budget to support the launch, Skyya was tasked with defining this new category and generating massive media exposure and brand awareness via earned and shared media. During the six-month span following the product launch, the Skyya team secured 340 stories representing 2.3 billion impressions in virtually every major business, men's, lifestyle and automotive outlet in North America. The team also orchestrated numerous events across the country including press rides, press conferences, a highly successful NYC press tour, automotive shows and participation at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Reception from the media and consumers alike was overwhelmingly posi- tive and far exceeded client expectations to such an extent that company executives pro- claimed during their Q3 earnings call on Oct. 22 that the launch of the Slingshot was "… the most well-received launch in the com- pany's 60-year history." "We are incredibly honored to be recog- nized by the PRSA New York chapter for our work on behalf of arguably the most unique and exciting brand on the road today," said Susan Donahue, managing partner, Skyya Communications - New York. "To receive top honors in competition with some of the world's largest and most recognizable PR agencies proves yet again that strategic think- ing, passion and persistence are the keys to a game-changing public relations campaign. Following last year's award for our relaunch campaign for Indian Motorcycle, our results in launching the Slingshot further demonstrates our capacity to represent the country's leading automotive and consumer-facing brands." HISUN MOTORS CORP USA ADDS A KEY DEALER TO ITS GROWING DEALER NETWORK Hisun Motors Corp USA has added Rock- wall Honda Yamaha Hisun of Rockwall, Texas to its growing nationwide network of dealers. Hisun's full line of UTVs, sport side-by-sides and ATVs are now displayed in Rockwall's beautiful showroom conveniently located in Rockwall, Texas at 1030 East I-30. In 2002, after more than 20 years racing motorcycles professionally, owner Michael Worrell bought Rockwall Honda Yamaha Hisun with the goal of creating a customer friendly dealership within easy driving dis- tance of the Dallas Metroplex. "Hisun products complement our deal- ership's offerings. We proudly display Hisun side-by-sides and ATVs at local events and in our 15,000-square-foot showroom," Wor- rell said. "Customers recognize the value proposition in the Hisun line. The units seem to sell themselves when lined-up against the competition." "Servicing the prod- ucts we sell is also key component in our success," Worrell added. "It helps having Hisun's main assembly facility so close to our dealership. The supply of parts and techni- cal assistance from Hisun adds confidence to our entire team. We've built our dealership around family values, and I think you will find all of our team members resonate that feeling. We work well with Hisun and feel they have become a part of our team." AIMEXPO CONSUMER EDUCATION SHOWCASE ANNOUNCES CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS Rider magazine and Thunder Press are now accepting proposals for consumer education presentations from potential industry speakers at the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo), which will be held Oct. 15-18, 2015, in Orlando, Florida. The Rider's Garage at AIMExpo will offer consumer attendees a series of educa- tional seminars on an exciting and infor- mative variety of topics on Saturday and Sunday, Oct.17 and 18. EPG Media's motor- cycle consumer publications, Rider magazine and Thunder Press, will produce the con- sumer educational track. "Rider magazine and Thunder Press have a long history of educating our readers on motorcycles and the motorcycling experi- ence," said David Voll, publisher of Rider and Thunder Press. "We're excited about the opportunity to provide valuable educational opportunities in the Rider's Garage for AIMExpo's consumer attendees." In order to provide the most robust con- sumer education lineup, offering AIMExpo attendees the most value for their attendance, Rider and Thunder Press are offering all quali- fied speakers a chance to participate in the Rider's Garage lineup. Presentations should target topics that will enhance the riding experience of AIMExpo attendees, such as maintenance-related issues, safety, riding skills and customizing. Because of the presentations, riders will leave AIMExpo with greater knowledge on important motor- cycling topics. "Educating consumers on the latest and greatest topics that facilitate their passion for motorcycling will be a cherished opportu- nity for many presenters," said Mark Tuttle, Editor-in-Chief of Rider. "We look forward to connecting the industry and consumers in the Rider's Garage at AIMExpo." The deadline to submit a proposal is July 31. To submit a presentation proposal, email or call Rider magazine Editor-in-Chief Mark Tuttle to request an application form at mtuttle@ridermagazine.com or 805/987-5500. Now in its third year, the American Inter- national Motorcycle Expo serves as the catalyst to bring together industry, press, dealers and consumers in a single arena that creates a grand stage for motorcycling in the U.S. and North America. AIMExpo delivers an efficient and energetic market-timed expo platform for business-to-business and business-to- consumer in the motorcycle and greater pow- ersports industry. AIMExpo is the single most important show of its type in the North Ameri- can market and will have international impact within the motorcycling community. DEALERSHIP ADDS BRAND AND 2,200-SQUARE-FOOT RETAIL SHOWROOM BMW Motorrad USA has strengthened its presence in Alabama with the addition of BMW Motorcycles of Birmingham. The new BMW motorcycle dealership, located at 505 Cobb St. (at the I-65 and Oxmoor Road exit), offers a complete line of BMW motorcycles, parts, accessories, apparel and service capa- bilities in an exclusive new 2,200-square-foot retail showroom. "As Alabama's largest powersports retailer for over 43 years, we are continually focused on providing the best sales and service experi- ence for motorcyclists in our area. When we looked at expanding our inventory of pre- mium brands, BMW was a natural fit," said general manager Joey Belmont, who together with his brother Johnny, the sales manager, operates Big #1 Motorsports. To help make BMW Motorcycles of Birmingham a success, the Belmonts have assembled a team of operations, sales and ser- vice associates with extensive riding expertise, industry experience and a knowledge of the BMW brand. The service staff, which includes a master-certified BMW technician and BMW- trained service manager, will continue to expand as new BMW-certified technicians are trained each year. "This is a great area for motorcycle enthusiasts," Joey Belmont said. "We've got everything from twisty roads to mountain- ous regions, and we're just 15 minutes away from the Barber Motorsports Museum, which offers events in which we participate all year long." "The Belmont Family has a stellar reputa- tion for serving the motorcycling community in the Birmingham area, and we are confident that their commitment to customer service will be a great benefit to BMW riders," said Lou Provato, dealer development manager for BMW Motorrad USA. KAR AUCTION SERVICES EXPANDS DIGITAL SERVICES GROUP WITH INSTAVIN ACQUISITION KAR Auction Services, Inc., a provider of used vehicle auction services, announced it has expanded the company's Digital Services Group with the acquisitions of Autoniq and MobileTrac, which is doing business as instaVIN. "Dealers in-lane and online require real- time access to relevant vehicle information to make split-second decisions when buy- ing and selling inventory," said KAR Digital Services Group president Peter Kelly. "As online and mobile technologies are becoming increasingly important, tools like Autoniq and instaVIN improve outcomes for our sellers and buyers and make it easier for them to con- duct business." Autoniq provides real-time information such as vehicle pricing, history reports and market guides to dealers. Its mobile app allows used-car dealers to scan VINs on mobile devices, view auction run lists and access vehicle history reports and market value reports instantly. Autoniq offers access to valued resources such as CARFAX and AutoCheck, as well as Black Book Daily, NADAguides, Kelley Blue Book and Galves pricing guide information. It also includes a comprehensive wholesale and retail market reports for all markets in the United States. MobileTrac provides retail and wholesale car buyers with instaVIN's vehicle history reports as well as the instaLEAD and instaDEAL technology through which auto - motive dealers can attract and structure retail transactions with consumers online. "We will continue to invest in technology that adds value for our buyers and sellers," said Kelly. "As technology leaders, we are always seeking new ways to enhance the KAR portfo- lio service offering to our customers, and we are excited to welcome Autoniq and MobileTrac to KAR." RIDER INSURANCE ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF RIDER CLASSIFIEDS Rider Insurance has introduced Rider Clas- sifieds, a new community platform where riders can advertise to buy, sell or trade their motorcycles, ATVs and off-road vehicles free of charge. "Rider Insurance is dedicated to serving the needs and supporting the passions of the motorcycle community. As a specialty com- pany, we are always looking for new ways to add value for not only our customers but for all riders. Rider Classifieds does just that," said Rider Insurance marketing manager Nicole Regna. Rider Classifieds is an open community forum for all motorcycle enthusiasts. Ad sub- missions are posted as a photo on Instagram, Twitter, or Tumblr using #RiderClassifieds, or by using the direct upload feature on www.rider.com. Offers can be viewed by potentially thou- sands of users, and unlike other classified pages, Rider Classifieds is posting the submis- sions free of charge. Plus, potential buyers are only one click away from getting an insurance quote as they search. Full instructions and details can be found at http://www.rider.com/ motorcycle_community/classifieds.html. Rider Insurance has since expanded opera- tions to provide coverage to riders on the high- ways and back roads of Michigan, Delaware, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vir- ginia and West Virginia. PSB HOT NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Skyya Communications won an award for its role in the Slingshot launch.