TAOW Partners With Red Bull To Set A New Milestone In Experiental Marketing With First-Of-Its-Kind Video Experience

Visitors To Red Bull's New Surfing Web Site Experience The Thrill Of Surfing Big Waves Using Breakthrough 360-Degree Video Technology

Portland, OR (PRWEB) March 11, 2008 -- A breakthrough video technology that allows viewers to control the action, takes center stage with the launch of Red Bull's new web site dedicated to surfing. The "Inside Tahiti" online experience captures a surfer's perspective of riding the dramatic waves of Tahiti's notorious Teahupoo surf break. By putting viewers in the director's seat and giving them the ability to look in all directions, the technology creates a first-of-its-kind video experience that provides viewers the feeling of actually being part of the action.

The Red Bull video marks one of the first marketing-specific uses of the Immersive Media 360-degree spherical video camera, production and post-production platform. Developed by Immersive Media Corp. (IMC), the technology uses a specially designed camera that captures eleven separate video streams. These streams are arranged according to geodesic geometry to create a complete spherical image; a high-resolution 360 degree view of surroundings that is seamlessly stitched together.

In late 2007, Google adopted the technology for use with their Street View mapping feature. More recently, modern marketing agency TAOW partnered with Immersive Media to pioneer marketing applications for the technology. The agency, together with Immersive, worked closely with Red Bull to create the extraordinary video footage of the Tahiti surfing experience.

"Once again, Red Bull is at the forefront of experiential marketing techniques that will have a profound impact on the industry," said B. Scott Taylor, founder and president of TAOW. "Marketing today is about creating authentic experiences for your target audience - experiences that create real brand loyalty. The IMC technology greatly expands the ability for marketers to create and share these types of experiences."

The Red Bull surfing video allows viewers to control the action as they follow world-renowned surfers riding through the huge barrels of Tahiti's famous Teahupoo waves. With a simple manipulation of the computer mouse, the viewer can look to the left or right, up or down, front or back. Since the observer controls the camera angle, each viewing of the video can be a completely different and unique experience.

"We've captured a totally new perspective of riding inside the barrel - the most sacred place in surfing," said Josh Kendrick, athlete marketing manager for Red Bull. "By taking control of at the camera, viewers become participants in the action - not just observers."

Adopting the Immersive technology for use in one of the most extreme conditions possible was a major feat. The first-of-its-kind project required the concerted efforts of TAOW's, Immersive Media's and Red Bull's team of technical experts, graphic artists and world-renowned big wave surfers including Jamie O'Brien, Jamie Sterling, Raimana Van Bastolaer, and Ian Walsh. .

Over a period of five days, surfers strapped on twenty-five pounds of customized gear - including the Immersive video camera and modified computer equipment - and headed out into the water to capture their experience on the biggest waves of the year.

"I think we've made a small bit of history with this project," said professional surfer, Jamie O'Brien. "The video experience that we've captured is a first. The view that someone gets by controlling the footage is a perspective that even I've never had until now."

The Red Bull "Inside Tahiti" video experience takes center stage on Red Bull's new web site dedicated to surfing, www.redbullsurfing.com. The Red Bull team is considering other uses for the technology as well.

For more information on Red Bull's "Inside Tahiti" project visit www.redbullsurfing.com or call Crystal Garrett at (310) 460-4874.

For more information on TAOW or the Teahupoo video shoot visit www.taowproductions.com or call Brad Brenner at (503) 736-0610.

For more information on Immersive Media visit www.immersivemedia.com or contact Karen Tanaka at (503) 231-2656.

About TAOW Productions

TAOW is a modern marketing agency with global reach that leads the world's most recognized brands into a new era of experiential marketing. Setting a new standard for brand consumer relationships, TAOW has ultimately proven to be the agency of choice for some of today's largest brands. With state of the art technology and the ability to creatively leverage a vast array of resources and clients, TAOW delivers a unique approach to each project every time. Some notable clients include Red Bull Energy Drink, Diesel Jeans & 55DSL, American Express, Nike, Solstice, Pernod Ricard, and adidas.

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