Canadian native Joel Zimmerman, better known as Deadmau5, is a common topic within the EDM industry when it comes to the use of social media. More recently, the critically acclaimed music producer/performer took to social media, as always, to express his feelings. This time around, it was about a case involving Ferrari North America and Zimmerman’s particular 458 Italia.
While many were caught up in the drama and bantering on the Internet, Nissan decides to join in and enlighten the situation in a clever way.
A Little Back Story...
Canadian electronic music producer Deadmau5 wrapped his 2013 Ferrari 458 Italia with an eye widening tribute to the YouTube video turned Internet meme, Nyan Cat - opens in new window or tab., in light of participating in the Gumball 3000 rally. It was dubbed the “Purrari - opens in new window or tab.,” and even came complete with custom floor mats and emblems that replaced Ferrari’s horse emblems with a prancing cat - opens in new window or tab..
He showed the newly personalized 458 - opens in new window or tab. to social media, participated in the 2014 Gumball 3000 - opens in new window or tab., and then made an addition to his Coffee Run series on YouTube that featured embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford - opens in new window or tab..
Out of the many around the world who welcomed the Purrari theme and its newfound character, Ferrari certainly wasn’t one of them. Zimmerman received a cease-and-desist letter - opens in new window or tab. from Ferrari North America demanding the theme be removed due to logo infringement - opens in new window or tab.; officially claiming the Purrari’s bespoke nameplates weren’t appropriate trademarks. Apparently the Italians aren’t partial to Pop-Tart infused flying cats that stream rainbows in their wake.
Since then, the Purrari has been transformed back to its original “vanilla-white” state - opens in new window or tab. and sold off. Zimmerman replaced the Purrari with a new McLaren 650S Spider.
A Bit of Enlightenment from the Competition
Nissan caught wind of Zimmerman’s situation and capitalized on an opportunity amidst the controversy. Nissan tweeted pictures of a GT-R equipped with a similar Nyan Cat theme, captioned “Hey @deadmau5, heard what happened to your car. Good news? We found a replacement, ready right meow. #GTR.” They even added a great touch to their "Spec V” badge to accommodate the Mau5 himself.
One word for Nissan: awesome. Although the images of the GT-R are photoshopped, it did a lot of good. Nissan found an opportunity to one-up the competition, making it clear that they won’t come after you for making your car how you want it. And to top it all off, Nissan’s supercar is, without a doubt, the best bang for the buck when it comes to supercars. Zimmerman knows this, too - opens in new window or tab..
In between all of the commotion, Zimmerman has acquired a new toy to replace his beloved Purrari—a McLaren 650S Spider—that has been appropriately named the “Meowclaren - opens in new window or tab..”
The GT-R is not out of the picture, though. Zimmerman seemed to like the idea - opens in new window or tab., and kept in touch with Nissan - opens in new window or tab. during his most recent trip - opens in new window or tab. to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who knows, maybe his time with the GT-R - opens in new window or tab. will put a plan into motion and we could see the next phase of the Nyan Cat car chronicles. Regardless, hats off to Nissan for being a supercar manufacturer with a great sense of humor. It could be the beginning of a great relationship with another high profile customer.
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