Catalyst 317 Named Digital Content Agency for Andretti Autosport, Honda Off-Road Racing Team
Video: What’s in a Name? Andretti Autosport kicks off the 2019 IndyCar Series season with a powerhouse lineup of American drivers, including Marco Andretti, Alexander Rossi, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Zach Veach.
VIDEO: Watch the thrilling Catalyst 317 highlight reel from the Honda Off Road team's run in the 2018 Baja 1000.
INDIANAPOLIS (March 5, 2019) – Catalyst 317, the Indianapolis-based creative agency founded by Mike Kitchel and Christopher Cross, announced today that it has reached an agreement with Andretti Autosport and the Honda Off-Road Racing team to become their digital content provider for the 2019 race seasons. Catalyst 317 was formed in 2017 and specializes in video production, communications, graphic design, freelance writing and photography.
Andretti Autosport, owned by open-wheel racing legend Michael Andretti, has captured multiple Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series championships during its history and currently competes in multiple racing series including the NTT IndyCar Series, FIA Formula E Championship, Indy Lights, GT4 America Series and Americas Rallycross Championship.
“Digital content has become one of the largest driving forces for sponsorship ROI and fan engagement,” said Ryann Weatherford, vice president of communications. “We’ve recognized the need to grow in this space and are looking forward to working with Catalyst 317 as we move to become an industry leader in content. Mike and Chris are extremely talented, with a great vision and a proven history in motorsport. We’re excited to get started and can’t wait for fans to see what we have planned.”
The Catalyst 317 team will be embedded with Andretti for the duration of the year to cover the team’s races, appearances and other noteworthy events to tell the behind-the-scenes story of the team, its drivers and corporate partners through unique and exclusive video productions, social graphics and other engaging digital content.
VIDEO: Follow Indianapolis 500 winner and IndyCar Series superstar Alexander Rossi from the desert of Mexico to the mountains of Colorado in this sizzle video showcasing the Californian's eventful 2018 off-season.
Honda Off-Road Racing, led by drivers Jeff Proctor, Pat Dailey and navigator Evan Weller, are competing in a five-race schedule this year highlighted by the prestigious Baja 1000. The Honda Ridgeline team collected its first win of the year last month at the Parker 425 and is preparing to compete in the Mint 400 next weekend in Las Vegas. Catalyst 317 filmed the team during last year’s Baja 1000 and that one-off assignment quickly expanded into a full-time agreement.
“From the first day of pre-running for the Baja 1000, the Catalyst 317 team embedded into our Honda Off-Road crew like family,” said team principal and driver Jeff Proctor. “Their cutting-edge digital approach and drone flying skills were the solution to our need for relevant video content in real time so we can connect with our sponsors and fans.”
“We formed Catalyst 317 because we wanted the opportunity to work with dynamic brands, good people and forward-thinkers like Andretti Autosport and the Honda Off-Road Racing team,” said Kitchel. “This is a tremendous opportunity to create entertaining content around two completely different forms of racing, to showcase the personalities within each of these teams and to increase the ROI for their collective commercial partners. We’re unbelievably grateful to Michael Andretti, Jeff Proctor, J-F Thormann, Doug Bresnahan and Ryann Weatherford for this opportunity and we’re looking forward to a great relationship moving forward.”