Ford Targets Blacks With New Campaign

DEARBORN, MI - - Ford Motor Company is launching a new corporate advertising campaign targeting the African American community that centers on the company's strengths as it relates to quality, technology, the environment and the community.

The fully integrated marketing ALL IN campaign provides an opportunity for Ford to tell its turnaround story through the eyes of individuals who play a key role in shaping Ford Motor Company. Its goal is to reach those consumers who may be familiar with the Ford brand and its recent success stories, but might not be aware of some behind-the-scenes moments and collective efforts that took place as part of the company's turnaround plan.

"Our strategy with the ALL IN campaign was simple – we wanted to share Ford's turnaround story in a way where we could highlight the ALL IN approach that had to come into play as it relates to individuals from all areas of the business coming together to reach common goals," said Shawn Lollie, Ford multicultural marketing manager. "Through this campaign, we get the chance to tell some of those stories while also shining a spotlight on key African American executives inside Ford who helped to create the Ford of today."

CBS Sports personality James Brown a key figure in ALL IN digital execution

In addition to print ads, radio spots and event integrations, the campaign includes a digital component that features CBS Sports personality James Brown. Brown, who has partnered with Ford in the past as part of its 2010 Ford Taurus launch campaign narrates the Ford story through a series of web videos that speak to quality, technology, the community and the environment.

The videos include one-on-one conversations, with Brown as moderator and the Ford executives discussing their personal success stories and talking about the past, present and future of the company. The web videos will be on www.fordurban.com and will also be shown at major African American-sponsored events throughout the year.

Ford's Group Vice President of Global Quality, Bennie Fowler; John Viera, director of sustainable business strategies; Pamela Alexander, director of community development, Ford Motor Company Fund; and Jason Johnson, a product development engineer at Ford are all featured as part of the digital execution.

The entire advertising campaign was created by The UniWorld Group, Ford's African American advertising agency of record.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.