Yamaha Corporation is celebrating its 125th anniversary with promotions and special events planned around the world as well as a unique logo commemorating the year.
Yamaha began its celebration with the “125 Anniversary Sweepstakes,” which ran from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2012. The sweepstakes included a chance to win a trip for two to the NAMM show in Anaheim, Calif., the largest musical industry trade convention in the country, as well as VIP seating at a star-studded anniversary concert at Disney California Adventure’s Hyperion Theater.
While this year’s artists have yet to be revealed, past stars have included Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, John Legend, Jason Mraz, Vince Gill, Sara Bareilles and many more. The sweepstakes also gave away 25 noise-isolating PRO-500 headphones.
Jeff Hawley, director of the customer experience group at Yamaha, believes the anniversary encourages the company to remember its humble beginnings in Japan. “I particularly like looking back at the wide range of hand-crafted instruments and designs and how technology has been so creatively weaved in along with the hand craftsmanship,” Hawley says. “From early work on reed organs to music computers and apps, it has been quite a progression over the 125 years!”
The company has also updated its customer account system, which gives Yamaha users much easier access to Yamaha online resources, and added a new loyalty rewards program called “My Rewards.” With these additions and improvements, Yamaha offers several ways for customers to stay connected with the company and to all of the events, sweepstakes and special promotions throughout the anniversary.
Anniversary memorabilia such as hats, water bottles and bags will be available at Yamaha’s tradeshow booth and as part of the “My Rewards” program.
Looking to the future, Hawley says Yamaha is refocusing and working with the ongoing music education initiatives across the company. “I’d expect for these efforts to be very visible and valuable to the music education community and the general music-making public,” Hawley says. “Yamaha has had music education at the core of our company culture for many years and continues to invest in developing the musicians and teachers and music lovers of the future.”
For more information, visit www.yamaha.com.
