The following press release I wrote explains the benefits of this Web site pretty well:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 1998

Expanded Media Asia Creates Only Channel for Historic Business Event

Expanded Media Asia (XM Asia), a leading regional Internet marketing consultancy, recently launched a Web site as the only official communications channel regarding the historic multi-billion U.S. dollar joint venture between the U.S.’s General Motors and China’s Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. All press information, media research and communications with the new company, dubbed Shanghai GM, will only be carried out through this Web site < www.shanghaigm.com> until the public/media relations department is geared up in 1999 to offer traditional avenues as well.

The site, produced by XM Asia in both Chinese and English, allows interested parties to learn all about this unique corporation that will manufacture U.S.-designed Buick models in Shanghai. This is the first time in the history of the city that an industrial project, such as Shanghai GM, has been designated the Shanghai municipal government’s number one project for 1998. “In a city where it’s said to have 20,000 construction projects underway at any given time, that’s quite a statement,” said Rudolph A. Schlais, Chairman of the Board Shanghai GM, GM Vice President and President GM China.

It’s not too unusual, however, given that this venture is a direct result of China's Premier, Li Peng, and the United States Vice President, Albert Gore, Jr.’s efforts to promote the normalization in the overall U.S.-China commercial relationship. Shanghai GM is the very first tangible result of these negotiations - in the form of (U.S.) $1.57 billion in investments which will support U.S. jobs by generating almost (U.S.) $1.6 billion in exports for the United States over the next five years.

SAIC Chairman and President Chen Xiang Lin and GM Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President John F. Smith, Jr. signed the agreement in the Great Hall of the People. United States Vice President Albert Gore, Jr. and China’s Premier Li Peng witnessed the signing.

The Web site offers an archive of press releases, critical milestones, articles written about the company from around the world, details about the new Buick models being produced at the plant and the history of the Buick brand for those in China who may not be as familiar with it. There are also many methods of routing contacts to the company for information about the many job opportunities, ordering of the impressive new Buicks, becoming an official reseller, signing up on a mailing list to receive breaking news or just sending general enquiries about the company or her products.

“It’s a great honor to be entrusted with such an historic project,” commented Mr. Josh Sklar, Expanded Media Asia’s Chief Executive Officer. “Being the only ‘official’ line of communication to the media and public it is extremely important that we make the process as easy, pleasurable and comprehensive as possible. I feel we have accomplished this,” said Sklar. “I don’t believe there are too many other examples of major corporations releasing information using only new media technology, so we applaud their decision to go ahead in this vein. There was so much interest coming in about Shanghai GM, but the corporation was just forming after years of talks between the two powerhouses, so the Web has really proven to be the most efficient manner in which to disseminate information to a hungry public. We hope to see more companies taking advantage of new media in this way,” he concluded.