MOTORATI:  Pontiac has announced they will be closing Motorati Island on December 31, 2007.  No reason for the closing was given.

Atomic Bombast, event planner for Motorati Island, indicated that the decision to close was not based on the success or lack of it of Motorati Island or of the residents.

 “We feel strongly that Motorati Island has set the bar high for how any brand, of any size, should approach Second Life and other similar platforms,” Bombast said.  “We are proud of what we have accomplished and of our fantastic residents who are the real reason why this island has been such success.”

Patty Streeter of Wonderland Cardin, a female friendly car dealership, and AskPatty Automotive Advice for Women fame (Jody DeVere in real life) hinted that Pontiac has a surprise announcement regarding SL coming up on January 20th.  No further details could be coaxed from Streeter.

“Pontiac, Campfire Media and everyone involved with Motorati Island have been so wonderful,” Streeter said.  “I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to start my SL experience on the best car culture place in Second Life, Motorati Island!  They set a really high bar for other big brands coming into SL.”

Streeter doesn’t plan to move on to other virtual worlds just yet.   “I am still getting benefits from being in Second Life and it is a big time commitment to start a new venue in another world.  I do hope to have more venues in SL and spread the wealth of automotive help, tips, advice, new cars designed by women for women and fun at AskPatty to other islands and venues in SL in 2008.”

Shiryu Musashi, owner of the Musashi-Do Fashion Shop and Musashi Motorsports housed on Motorati Island, commented about Pontiac’s decision to leave SL.  “It’s pretty normal; I don’t think it means much – just that another advertisement campaign ended.  Companies start one and then end it – it’s the world of marketing anyway.  Motorati actually had a much longer life than most ad campaigns I know.  SL campaigns can’t be expected to last longer than the press they get.  When the press ends, the campaign gets shut down.  It’s sad for the ones that were part of the community, but it’s how it works.”

Builder, designer, car show host and general jack-of-all-trades Flux Woyseck shared feelings of the closing of Motorati with SLNN as well as posting in his blog, “All Things Phreeq” (http://phreeqtheory101.blogspot.com/ ). “It [Motorati] brought together some of brightest and greatest builders in Second Life. Ideas flowed together like rivers meeting the ocean.