• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, April 28, 2006

Promoting the third installment of Paramount's Mission Impossible franchise, the studio announced an extensive promotional deal on Thursday with Yahoo. Ramping up for the film's May 5 release date, Yahoo has launched an exclusive M:i:III Web site, where consumers can find exclusive video of the film's world premiere in Rome and behind-the-scenes footage, as well as music and movie content.

Next week, Yahoo plans to stream live coverage of the movie's New York premiere from the perspective of Tom Cruise himself. "We've made arrangements with Paramount to give people a look at what it's like to be the biggest movie star in the world," said David Katz, head of sports and entertainment for Yahoo.

"We've never gone this far to mix content and marketing elements with any sponsor," Katz added.

Interviews with Tom Cruise and the movie's co-writer/director J.J. Abrams are available with DVD-style commentary on clips from the movie that only Yahoo can offer at present. Yahoo is also showing off its Answers service, giving fans an opportunity to test Cruise on trivia from his career with Abrams posing the users' questions.

Additionally, Yahoo Music will be home to the official M:i:III theme song performed by Kanye West. The theme is now available to stream for free from Yahoo Music's Launchcast Internet radio service.