Kawasaki Names O'Leary and Partners as New Advertising Agency

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 6, 2004 -- Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) today announced a change in its advertising agency relationship by naming Irvine's O'Leary and Partners to succeed FCB Worldwide.

The new arrangement, effective immediately, will cover all products marketed by the company, including motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, personal watercraft, utility vehicles, and associated accessories.

"Kawasaki is looking forward to working with O'Leary and Partners as we bring a tighter focus to the strategic components of our ongoing communications efforts," said Tom Orbe, vice president, sales and marketing. "We've enjoyed the fruitful relationship that we've had for many years with FCB, and we are anticipating a great deal of excitement in our outreach activities moving forward."

KMC recently launched a new look in its communications with the introduction of the tagline, "The leading edge of power / performance / exhilaration," to accompany the well-known "Let the good times roll.(TM)" The message is intended to instill the core characteristics of the brand in an increasingly broader purchasing audience.

Orbe indicated that KMC will continue its relationships with The Falls Agency, Minneapolis, which handles dealer promotional advertising, and with Freeman/McCue, Santa Ana, the company's public relations firm.

O'Leary and Partners is a $75 million independent advertising and public relations agency providing marketing communications services to a broad range of clients. O'Leary's major clients include In-N-Out Burger, Ingram Micro, Fantastic Sams, The National Association of Realtors, and Drive Time Automotive. The agency is a member of Worldwide Partners, a global network of independent agencies in 120 markets.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. markets and sells at wholesale Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft, utility vehicles, power products and general-purpose engines.

Kawasaki's tagline, "Let the good times roll.(TM)," is recognized worldwide and the brand is aggressively carrying its heritage of power, performance, leading-edge design and exhilaration into the 21st century. Information about Kawasaki's complete line of recreational products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.