Posts Tagged ‘Fiesta’

Getting Personal with American Idols’ Top 12

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Ford is adding an exciting new element to its sponsorship of the hit television series “American Idol,” giving the top 12 Idols a unique opportunity to work with Ford designers and create their own personalized 2011 Ford Fiesta.

Tonight’s episode of “American Idol,” which airs at 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET live/PT tape-delayed on FOX, will feature this new element in a video segment.

All of the Idols’ Fiestas will be on display at www.americanidol.com. From March 17 through May 21, 2010 fans 18 and older can enter the Ford Music Video Challenge weekly for a chance to win one of the vehicles and a trip to the set of a Ford Music Video shoot or the grand prize, which includes a Fiesta with their choice of one of the Top 12 designs and tickets to the finale. Official rules and entry details are available at www.americanidol.com/ford/challenge.

“Idolizing” the Ford Fiesta

Ford began the design process by giving each of the top 12 contestants a palette of nine Fiesta colors to choose from, including vibrant shades like Lime Squeeze, Blue Flame and Bright Magenta. So the design team could get to know each contestant on a more personal level, the Idols also were given a personality survey to fill out with questions like, “What are the three things you are most passionate about?” and “What do you want your car to say about you?”

Four up-and-coming Ford designers – Dillon Blanski, Gustavo Bizyk, Lesli Ann Agcaoili and Dean Carbis – reviewed the questionnaires, traveled to Hollywood to meet with the Idols, and then helped each contestant develop the concept for his or her personalized Fiesta, using color, custom body graphics, wheel treatments and other accessories to transform the vehicle into an expression of each contestant’s individuality.

Tuxedo Black was a popular color choice among the male contestants while the girls seemed to favor more vivid shades like Bright Magenta and Lime Squeeze. Some of the contestants even opted to accessorize their Fiesta with a four-piece 3dCarbon body kit.

2011 Ford Fiesta: A hit before leaving the gate

Thanks to the success of the Fiesta Movement social media initiative – which has generated more than 6.2 million YouTube views, more than 750,000 Flickr views and nearly 4 million Twitter impressions – more than 100,000 people have already expressed an interest in the 2011 Ford Fiesta.

Going on sale this summer, the all-new Fiesta features an expressive, vibrant design, sharp reflexes, and a global track record that will redefine U.S. small car customers’ expectations. With 15 class-exclusive technologies and a projected best-in-class highway fuel economy of

40 mpg, Fiesta brings efficiency and convenience together in one package.

It’s also designed to be versatile, personal and adaptable. In fact, Fiesta is expected to deliver best-in-class convenience and connectivity with the segment-exclusive SYNC® voice-activated communications system, as well as an expressive color palette and available graphics.

Ford is planning many appearance and functional accessories for the Fiesta, including a lower body kit by 3dCarbon, a large, sporty rear hatchback spoiler brought over from Europe, several different shift knobs, and innovative body-side graphics by Original Wraps. A preview of these offerings and more is available at www.fordvehicles.com/fiesta while the graphics can be explored at www.fordfiestagraphics.com. The full Fiesta accessories offering will be available to review and purchase at www.fordaccessories.com when the Fiesta launches this summer.

Already, more than 7,000 consumers have made reservations for the Ford Fiesta – half of them from non-Ford customers. Customers can begin placing their order for the new Fiesta today through their local Ford dealer.

Quotes

“Ford has been a sponsor of ‘American Idol’ since the show premiered in 2002, and each season we try to take our relationship with the show to the next level in a fun and meaningful way. This year, the Idols will get a closer experience with our vehicles as they interact with our designers and customize a Fiesta design that reflects their own personality.”

– Connie Fontaine, Manager, Ford Brand Content and Alliances

“Ford has great young designers who are bringing fresh thinking to our product lineup. We hope the design integration with ‘American Idol’ will shine a light on the remarkable talent that is working tirelessly to deliver great products to market.”

– Connie Fontaine, Manager, Ford Brand Content and Alliances

“We explained to the Idols that the graphics they design will actually be a symbol of them and their life experiences. They were really excited to work with us. Some of the Idols are familiar with graphic tuning so they wanted to get the body kit and create more of a sports tuner package.”

– Dean Carbis, Ford Designer

“Many of the Idols are obviously very music-oriented, so we talked about taking an instrument they play or the lyrics to their favorite song and somehow incorporating that into the graphics. Trying to interpret somebody else’s passion and ideas and then help them put that into graphic form is totally different from anything I’ve done before. It’s a challenge, but it’s also fun.”

– Dillon Blanski, Ford Designer

Tags: American Idol, Cars, Entertainment, Fiesta, Ford, Ford Motor Company

Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Fiesta - text, Ford in Entertainment - Text, Stories | No Comments »

Want More of a Good Thing?

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Marketing campaigns are kind of like popcorn movies. Blockbusters get sequels.

Take Ford’s Fiesta Movement. The social media initiative was designed to create excitement about the new Fiesta and put the new small car on the minds of thousands of people nationwide. It is now moving to its second chapter, this time enlisting 40 people to tell the story of Ford’s newest car in 16 cities across the country.

Culled form more than 1,000 applications, Fiesta Movement Chapter 2 consists of 20 teams comprised of two agents each. Their mission will be to redefine the way Fiesta is brought to market by interacting with consumers online and offline, while bringing Fiesta to their communities.

The first Fiesta Movement generated more than 6.2 million YouTube views, more than 750,000 Flickr views and nearly 4 million Twitter impressions. The Fiesta Movement also set a Guinness World Record for the most attendees at a tweetup during the Fiesta Movement Awards Celebration in West Hollywood in December. This unprecedented event brought together 1,149 Fiesta Movement agents and Twitter friends.

Telling the story, locally

Agents will complete a series of missions, where they will compete in challenges locally that leverage the best of their communities, allowing them to open the discussion about Fiesta through social media and beyond.

After completing a challenge, agents will produce and place the creative content online at www.fiestamovement.com, where followers also can keep up with their favorite agents. The best content will be recognized based on online consumer interaction and consumers’ opinions about the agents’ work, and will be amplified in local media and events as well as through a variety of national mediums.

One of the missions is called “Show the World UR Personality,” where agents will design their Fiesta wrap and work with designers to create a wrap that fits their team’s personality. Their personalized Fiesta will be delivered to the agent team, and the best wrap, as voted by the fans on www.fiestamovement.com, will later be available to consumers. Additionally, the winning wrap will be integrated into a future national Fiesta display.

Followers of Fiesta Movement Chapter 2 will play a pivotal role in this adventure, by checking in with their favorite agent team, snapping a picture of the content they saw on the streets or commenting on what the agents post to social media sites.

Agents were selected based on entrepreneurial spirit, strong, continued local connections, social vibrancy and creative vision. The agent teams are located in major markets, including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston, Denver, San Diego, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Orlando, Phoenix, Atlanta and Miami.

Fiesta has it all – and more

Going on sale this summer, the all-new Ford Fiesta features an expressive, vibrant design, sharp reflexes, and a global track record that will redefine U.S. small car customers’ expectations. With 15 class-exclusive technologies and a projected best-in-class highway fuel economy of 40 mpg, Fiesta brings efficiency and convenience together in one package.

Fiesta is designed to be versatile, personal and adaptable. In fact, Fiesta is expected to deliver best-in-class convenience and connectivity with Ford’s segment-exclusive SYNC® voice-activated communications system, as well as an expressive color palette and available graphics.

Already more than 6,000 consumers have made reservations for the Ford Fiesta – half of them from non-Ford customers – and more than 100,000 handraisers are showing an interest in the new fuel-efficient car. Customers can place their order for the new Fiesta today through their local Ford dealer.

Quotes

“This was a natural progression from the first phase of the Fiesta Movement. Chapter 2 will still be rooted in social media, but this time the content will also live offline and find its way into new mediums. Fiesta needs to clearly be the star now as the agents share their work within their communities and beyond.”

– Connie Fontaine, Ford Brand Content and Alliances Manager

“Essentially, the agents will be introducing Fiesta to their communities, with local culture driving the content they create. There will be unique opportunities for consumers to actively engage and follow along with the agent teams in their area.”

- Connie Fontaine, Ford Brand Content and Alliances Manager

Tags: Cars, Fiesta, Ford, Ford Motor Company

Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Fiesta - text | No Comments »

Live Chat: Connie Fontaine, Ford Brand Content and Alliance Manager

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Brand content and alliance manager might not tell you much about what Connie Fontaine does for Ford Motor Company. But Fiesta Movement, Fusion41, Warriors in Pink and American Idol probably ring a bell. Fontaine, has been involved with all of these, and has a story or two to tell about making them happen.

Join the live chat on Friday, December 4, at 3:30 p.m. EDT to see what Connie has to say about these initiatives and more.

Connie has worked for Ford since 1985. She has held many positions within the sales organization. She has been responsible for leading the development and execution of many breakthrough ideas including the award-winning Warriors in Pink campaign and the current social-media phenomenon, Fiesta Movement. In fact, Connie was recently honored by Advertising Age magazine as a 2009 Media Maven for her extensive leadership on the Fiesta Movement project. Her team is best known for their ability to collaborate with producers and partners to create engaging consumer connections ranging from mass-media integrations and product placements to unique grassroots events.

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=e721ca13f9" >Live Chat with Connie Fontaine, Brand & Content Alliances Mgr</a>

Tags: Brand Content and Alliance, Fiesta, Fiesta Movement, Ford, Ford Motor Company, Fusion41, Warriors in Pink

Posted in Ford Fiesta - text, Ford in the Community | No Comments »

Everyone Who Is Anyone Will Be There. Will You?

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Like, wow. We’re, you know, totally stoked about the Fiesta reveal at the L.A. Auto Show. Everything else is, like, bogus and grodie. I mean, duh!

Ford’s rollout of its next generation of small cars will hit an important milestone when the new Fiesta is revealed in December at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The reveal of the North American-based Ford Fiesta will also mark the culmination of the first phase of the Fiesta Movement.

Set to arrive in dealer showrooms next summer, the Fiesta already can claim more than 50,000 potential customers thanks to the Fiesta Movement.

Fiesta Movement October missions – entertainment
Fiesta Movement agents are entering their final month of missions, and October has them having a blast with missions planned around the theme of entertainment. With 100 missions to choose from, all agents are sure to find an adventure to suit their tastes.

October missions include:

Visiting Turn10 Studio, Microsoft’s racing studio, to get a look behind closed doors at the making of the latest Forza race game featuring the 2011 Ford Fiesta. The agent will get to design his or her own Fiesta, then climb into a three-screen simulator complete with hydraulics to put the new game to the test.
A behind-the-scenes glimpse into the production of a music video with Izza Kizza. The hip-hop artist is creating his music video for the song “They’re Everywhere,” and one lucky Fiesta agent will get to be right there, front and center, for the fun.
Hanging out in the recording studio with Jukebox the Ghost. The indie pop group is recording its new album; a Fiesta agent will be checking out the band's new tunes right along with them.
Several missions for football fanatics, from checking out a Detroit Lions game with a former player, to watching a Philadelphia Eagles warm-up, to hanging out for the team's game and meeting the broadcast group for the Eagles.

During each mission and after its completion, agents upload content to the Fiesta Movement Web site or the social media platform of their choice. Using www.fiestamovement.com, visitors can follow the ride by accessing the live feed feature to keep current on what the agents have to say about Fiesta and their missions.

Spreading the word
After kicking off the Fiesta Movement and embarking on their first missions in May, agents created a big impression in the social media world, including:

More than 4.3 million video views on YouTube
More than 540,000 photo views on Flickr
More than 3 million impressions on Twitter

Fiesta sales success
Fiesta is continuing its sales momentum as Europe’s No. 2-selling car and Ford of Europe’s top-selling vehicle, helping Ford's share in Europe’s main 19 markets increase for the eighth consecutive month.

Nearly 340,000 Fiestas have been sold since the car was launched last autumn, with 21,800 delivered to customers in August. Fiesta was the best-selling foreign vehicle in August in both Italy and France.

In Europe, the Fiesta name has long been synonymous with outstanding drive quality, design and value. The all-new Ford Fiesta will bring its three-decade heritage to U.S. consumers in 2010.

Quote
“This is the perfect time to show the North American Fiesta,” said Sam De La Garza, Ford Fiesta marketing manager. “The Fiesta Movement will have wrapped up, and after hearing so much about this car leading up to the reveal, everyone will finally get to see what we are so excited about.”

Tags: Agents, Fiesta, Fiesta Movement, Ford, Ford Fiesta, Ford Motor Company, LA Auto Show, social media

Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Fiesta - text | No Comments »

WILL IT BLEND? FORD FIESTA’S ULTRA-HIGH-STRENGTH BORON STEEL BEATS YOUTUBE BLENDER TEST

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Don’t try this at home! Having decimated objects including an Apple iPhone, marbles and magnets, Blendtec®, maker of the Total Blender®, recently tried but failed to crack, cut or crush a piece of boron steel used in the Ford Fiesta on its “Will It Blend?” viral YouTube video. While boron steel won’t blend, it will help protect occupants of the Fiesta and many other Ford vehicles.

It’s Strength is Elemental

Has there ever been an element better named than boron? Antimony? That’s a Greek goddess, right? Californium? Don’t the USC Trojans play there? And isn’t Xenon an alien planet?

The chemists who named boron, on the other hand, hit the nail on the head. It actually sounds strong, hard and elemental – like iron or krypton. It’s probably some superhero’s Achilles’ heel.

Boron is used to make steel super strong, which is what Blendtec found out the hard way. The element is used to strengthen car parts, aerospace structures, even golf clubs and fishing rods. It is extremely versatile, serving an array of household and industrial uses.

Boron is used in:

Detergents
Antiseptic
Cosmetics
Insecticides
Enamel glaze
Ceramics
Glass
Pyrotechnics
Rocket fuel
Flame retardant
Nuclear reactors
Punching tools
Spades
Knives and saw blades

According to Wikipedia, boron is relatively rare, representing only 0.001 percent of the Earth’s crust. The worldwide deposits are estimated as 10 million tons, with nearly three quarters of it coming from Turkey. The element also is found in the Mojave Desert in California. Nearly all boron ore is extracted for refinement into boric acid for antiseptic, insecticide and flame retardant, or borax for detergents, cosmetics and enamel glazes.

Boron and Beyond

Ford uses boron and other ultra-high-strength lightweight steels in various structural areas on several of its current models, including the Ford Taurus, Flex, Mustang, Transit Connect, F-150 and Focus, as well as the Lincoln MKS. Boron will also be extensively used in the all-new 2011 Ford Fiesta to help protect occupants in the event of a collision.

The Fiesta uses an exceptionally high level of cold- and hot-formed high-strength steels in its body structure. More than 50 percent of the body structure is high-strength steel, including grades of very high-strength, dual-phase steel and ultra-high-strength aluminized boron steel

Yet, despite its additional strength, the all-new 2011 Fiesta body structure overall is lightweight. This means advancements in safety have been achieved in harmony with fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

Protective Reinforcements

High-strength steels are used in areas of the Ford Fiesta where structural strength and reinforcement are essential for crashworthiness. This includes the floor structure, front rails and beams, and the vehicle’s integrated body-side reinforcement to help protect against side impact.

High-strength materials are used to create a very strong B-pillar section and a strong rocker section fore and aft in crash. Impact loads are also transferred laterally to the opposite side of the car via under body crossmembers to maximize dissipation of side-impact forces. This integrated body-side reinforcement resists side intrusion in the event of a collision and helps the body structure manage the energy of other impacts effectively – be they frontal, offset or rear.

The individual high-strength elements are formed into an integrated subassembly during manufacturing before they are joined to the vehicle on the production line. This process ensures better joint strength and a more efficient body structure. .

For more information on the Ford Fiesta and the use of ultra-high-strength steel, click here.

QUOTE

“Safety is an important attribute for the new Fiesta, but achieving real weight reduction was also a key objective. High-strength steels – cold- and hot-formed – were key to delivering the lighter weight and higher strength we needed for structural efficiency. We believe the materials used on the new Fiesta are setting a new benchmark in the small car segment.”

– Bernd Liesenfelder, Body engineering manager, Ford of Europe

Tags: boron, Fiesta, Ford, Ford Motor Company, safety

Posted in Ford Fiesta - text, Ford Safety - text | No Comments »

FORD FIESTA’S FAST START

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

The new global Fiesta becomes Ford’s second-best selling vehicle in Europe behind the Focus.

Early strong sales of Ford’s stylish subcompact have helped Ford’s European operations increase market share in November. This bodes well, as the Fiesta is poised to launch in China, Australia and New Zealand in the first quarter of 2009, and in the United States in early 2010. The upscale features and trim packages are drawing a broader range of customers, of which, approximately half choose the Titanium and Ghia trim levels.

In the United Kingdom alone, the Fiesta, including the new version and outgoing model, was the top-selling vehicle in November among all automakers, capturing 6.2 percent of the total new car market. This represents the Fiesta’s highest market share in the U.K. since 1998.

Currently on sale in Europe and South Africa, Ford has sold more than 42,200 new Fiestas in its first two months on sale, despite soft overall industry sales. In total, Ford of Europe sold 95,700 vehicles in November across its 19 European markets. This was down 21.4 percent versus November 2007, but the company again outperformed the industry by increasing its market share to 8.8 percent, up 0.5 percentage points. Ford is now firmly established as the No. 2 brand in Europe’s main 19 markets behind only Volkswagen.

Quotes

“After only two months since its introduction, the Fiesta is already our second-best selling model behind the Focus. In the U.K., the Fiesta’s market share for November was the highest since January 1998 for the nameplate, and the new Fiesta attracted 1,000 more retail British buyers than the previous model in November 2007. This is a promising start for our all-new global model.”
- Ingvar Sviggum, Ford of Europe Marketing, Sales and Service Vice President

Tags: Fiesta, Ford Fiesta, global small car

Posted in Ford Fiesta - text | No Comments »

CONCEPT BECOMES REALITY

Friday, February 15th, 2008

Ford confirms Fiesta as global name for small car.

Ford’s new-generation global small car to be previewed at 2008 Geneva Motor Show. Its worldwide name is confirmed – Ford Fiesta.

The new Ford Fiesta brings the Verve Concept exterior and interior styling to production reality, demonstrating that small cars can be stylish, sophisticated and emotional. It rejects the notion that an affordable small car has to be a commodity.

Designed and developed in Europe for customers in Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia and the Americas between 2008 and 2010, the new Fiesta is the first major product of Ford’s new global product development process.

In Europe, the new Fiesta will debut first in production guise at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show in March and will go on sale in fall 2008 in three and five-door hatchback body styles. By 2010, the new Fiesta will be on sale in markets across Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia and North America in a variety of regionally tailored models derived from a common platform.

Tags: 2008 Geneva Motor Show, Fiesta, Ford Fiesta, global small car, Verve concept

Posted in Ford Fiesta - text | No Comments »

FIESTA FOREVER

Friday, February 15th, 2008

12 Ford Fiesta Facts:

The worldwide name is confirmed – Ford Fiesta

Next generation, all-new global small car signals fresh chapter in Ford Fiesta story

Stylish 'kinetic design' and dynamic flair combines with traditional Ford strengths to deliver confident, contemporary, fun-to-drive package

Fiesta brings a host of big-car features to the small car segment for the first time

Fiesta stays compact but is lighter and stronger. Ultra high-strength steels and a comprehensive safety package that includes a driver's knee airbag

Exciting three-door body remains true to Verve Concept

Futuristic interior from Verve Concept becomes production reality, including integrated HMI center stack inspired by mobile phones

113 HP (115 PS) Duratec 1.6-liter Ti-VCT gasoline engine joins Fiesta range; one of five fuel efficient and clean engines

Fiesta will expand Ford ECOnetic ultra-low CO2 range, delivering optimized reduction in CO2 emissions.

New Fiesta is the first product of Ford’s new global product development process, with versions due for launch in Europe in 2008, and in Asia and the Americas between 2008 and 2010

5 Efficient Powertrain Choices at launch from 68 PS Duratorq TDCi diesel to new Duratec 1.6-liter Ti-VCT petrol engine which delivers low emissions.

New technology highlights include keyless vehicle technology, 'Ford Power' engine start button, Ford Easyfuel capless refueling, USB connectivity and ambient interior lighting

Tags: 2008 Geneva Motor Show, Fiesta, Ford Fiesta, global small car, Verve concept

Posted in Ford Fiesta - text | No Comments »

Recent updates

Posts Tagged ‘Fiesta’

Getting Personal with American Idols’ Top 12

Want More of a Good Thing?

Live Chat: Connie Fontaine, Ford Brand Content and Alliance Manager

WILL IT BLEND? FORD FIESTA’S ULTRA-HIGH-STRENGTH BORON STEEL BEATS YOUTUBE BLENDER TEST

FORD FIESTA’S FAST START

The new global Fiesta becomes Ford’s second-best selling vehicle in Europe behind the Focus.

CONCEPT BECOMES REALITY

Ford confirms Fiesta as global name for small car.

FIESTA FOREVER

12 Ford Fiesta Facts:

Ford Social Networks

Ford Products

Ford Vehicles

Ford Corporate

Ford Community

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