FORD FIESTA MOVEMENT AGENTS GIVE BACK, SURPASS 800,000 MILES DURING SOCIAL ACTIVISM MONTH

IMAGES: Available at www.media.ford.com and www.flickr.com/photos/fiestamovement.

SUMMARY:

• Ford Fiesta Movement August missions had agents taking part in social activism by collecting books for troops overseas, organizing a blood drive and assisting Meals on Wheels
• Since the Fiesta Movement launched in April, agents have traveled 812,678 miles across the country
• More than 21,000 consumers have test driven a Fiesta as part of the Fiesta Movement's test drive tour, which is scheduled to visit at least 200 cities through December

CONTEXT / BACKGROUND:

Ford Fiesta Movement August mission videos are in and the agents didn't disappoint. In fact, through their missions, the agents showed off a side to themselves not yet captured in the social media world, helping out local charities and communities and raising awareness for a variety of issues. Whether collecting books, organizing a blood drive or delivering food for Meals on Wheels, agents pitched in and helped out where it really counts.

As part of the Fiesta Movement social media initiative, 100 young trendsetters are test driving and living with a European-spec Ford Fiesta for six months, traveling as agents on special missions. They then go on to relate their experiences through a variety of social media sites. Throughout the Fiesta Movement, agents have generated more than 3.7 million YouTube views, more than 460,000 Flickr views and 2.8 million-plus Twitter impressions.

DETAILS:

August missions saw Fiesta Movement agents giving back to communities and various nonprofits nationwide as a part of social activism month. Each participating organization was also given $500 to help sustain their efforts.

People are paying attention to the content the agents post on www.fiestamovement.com, with Fiesta Movement agents generating more than 3.7 million YouTube views, more than 460,000 Flickr views and 2.8 million-plus Twitter impressions.

Videos that pushed the limits of creativity include:

• "In Case of Emergency," by Earl and Courtney. Asked to work with the Blood Center of Central Texas to organize a blood drive, the Fiesta Movement agents did their part to raise awareness about the group's services.
  
  Courtney and Earl's video kicks off with a short and creative clip of an imagined scenario with a Ford Fiesta. During their visit to the Blood Center of Central Texas, they met with employees to learn more about where the donated blood goes and who is most in need. Their drive generated 30 units of collected blood, which will help save 60 lives. Check out "In Case of Emergency" at: http://www.fiestamovement.com/missions/view/470

• "Special Delivery," by agent Natasha T., who helped out Meals on Wheels, an organization that brings meals to elderly or homebound people.
  
  In her video, Natasha used lavish costumes, arresting imagery and the startling contrast between gluttony and hunger in the world to illustrate the need for Meals on Wheels. Dressed in the costumes, Natasha and some of her friends piled into her Fiesta to deliver the food to those in need. Check out "Special Delivery" at: http://www.fiestamovement.com/missions/view/391

• "Bookmobile," by agent Alison, who took charge and organized a book drive to provide overseas troops with books, something that's not easy to come by for them.
  
  Alison hit the road with her Fiesta and a friend to collect books to send to troops who don't have access to a library. After stopping at dozens of houses and gathering bags and boxes of books, Alison's Fiesta was stuffed to the brim. Once all the books were piled up in her living room, Alison could only wonder how exactly she would ship them all overseas. Check out "Bookmobile" at: http://www.fiestamovement.com/missions/view/457

September missions – adventure
With more unusual and exciting missions ahead of them for September, Fiesta Movement agents are sure to give adventure a whole new meaning. Missions like training with U.S. Navy SEALs, shadowing a stunt driver and learning to cook with bugs are only a small taste of what lies ahead. Throughout the month and after its completion, followers can keep up with agent activity on the Fiesta Movement Web site's live feed – www.fiestamovement.com.

Chance to drive a Fiesta
With a kickoff in May and running through December, five regional test drive teams representing the Fiesta Movement are traveling across the country to engage consumers with the opportunity to test drive a European-spec Ford Fiesta.

The Fiesta Movement test drive is drawing huge numbers by engaging more than 130,000 consumers, with more than 21,000 taking a Fiesta for a test drive.

The teams are visiting at least 200 cities over eight months, stopping in small towns and big cities alike, as well as making appearances at major and regional events and festivals. Information about drive stops, including monthly calendars, is available on www.fiestamovement.com under the "Test Drive" section. Site visitors also can sign up to receive test drive updates as they become available.

QUOTES:

"We love the August missions videos. Our agents are terrific personalities, and they showed us that they have great hearts and tons of passion, too."

– Connie Fontaine,
Ford brand content and alliances manager

"The numbers keep rising on our test drive tour, and we couldn't be more pleased with the results. The excitement is certainly building for the U.S. arrival of Fiesta in 2010."

– Jeff Eggen,
Ford car experiential marketing manager

Follow the Fiesta Movement:
YouTube: www.youtube.com/fiestamovement
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/fiestamovement
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fiestamovement
Twitter: www.twitter.com/fordfiesta

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 201,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

Sept. 16, 2009