Comments on: How Ford Can Ramp Up It’s Social Media Turnaround Story of 2009

By: Web Success Diva

Web Success Diva — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:32:33 +0000

This is an incredibly insightful post! Thanks for sharing

By: Roxanne Darling

Roxanne Darling — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:09:20 +0000

@mpgomatic - please dm me on twitter of you can get the livestream going. If you have an iPhone, you can get the qik.com app or flixwagon.

By: mpgomatic

mpgomatic — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:30:47 +0000

@roxanne It looks like I may be at the Detroit auto show, after all. I would love to live stream if we could find the resources. My usual modus operandi is insanely time intensive … I shoot in MiniDV and edit in Final Cut.

By: Roxanne Darling

Roxanne Darling — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:32:54 +0000

@Warren Whitlock – Thank you! I certainly understand the urge to find fault – it is almost always easier than creating something successful out of nothing. Plus, I want to encourage people to do more, not give up.

I just found your comment in the spam list, so please accept my apology for the delayed posting.

By: rush_L

rush_L — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:00:14 +0000

http://reef.beachwalks.tv/video/731804:Video:4542

Okay…maybe just cut and paste then. It’s been on for a year now since before Univ. of Hawai’i Warriors were coming to the Sugar Bowl last year and I posted this as primmer for fans on what else is in Louisiana besides the French Quarter! (Okay, it was a stretch!)

“Cows and Bayous” with the silhouette of my dependable ride for several years now!

By: rush L

rush L — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:56:27 +0000

@roxanne darling Mahalo for the info and insight to what is possible...BTW I remembered I had already taken many of the reefers for a quick local ride last year in my car...remember? Find more videos like this on The Reef from: The Reef personal page... (hope this works!)

By: Roxanne Darling

Roxanne Darling — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:42:33 +0000

@rush L I think it is so interesting, this thread of family allegiances that runs with car companies. Makes total sense to me – as we use our families for a frame of reference in so many ways.

I found this press release on the Flex launch that talks about the very different approach they took for this vehicle.

The challenge all of us are facing is how to rise above the incredible noise that is generated daily – as each person now is creating media, products, and services right and left.

As far as your old cars still running, I think that would be the basis for a fun YouTube campaign – where people shoot themselves and their aging vehicles and there could be some sort of contest regarding oldest running, best looking/most beat up, etc – a way to highlight both the durability of the cars as well as engage the customer base. Tit it in with something that takes place in the dealer’s showroom, and some kind of friend referral program, and we have a number of great social media ingredients.

At the other end of the spectrum, I think the annual auto show can be used with social media too – yes it is a glitzy display. And it is also a showcase of incredible creativity. Why not live stream from there and have users on the web vote for what styles and features they find most compelling? And or suggest their own for next year’s show? Despite all the gloom of the economy, I believe people are basically looking for leadership and a positive ray of hope out of these doldrums, Handled with the appropriate mix of sensitivity, transparency and engagement, Cobo Hall could actually be the kick off for a new type of conversation between the Big 3 and their techy customers and followers.

One of the best ways to convert a skeptic is to give them a voice. Maybe in advance of this Ford could invite some people to the event who are long time owners and/or critics, and extend the olive branch. In some ways, it is right back to Emily Post, now isn’t it?

By: Warren Whitlock

Warren Whitlock — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:58:14 +0000

Great post. I love how you put the current news in a perpective about doing someting positive instead of the more common whining on one side or the other.

By: rush L

rush L — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 09:01:54 +0000

@rox…all this so interesting, pertinent, thought provoking, etc.
I was such a car/Ford fan when growing up. Current primary vehicle is a Mercury product that has usually delivered around 30 mpg for me for 6+ years. My last new car was a Ford…as the one before it! (So actually, I suppose I am the typical person at the root of the “factory’s” problem…that is to say Ford really doesn’t want to know WHEN those two cars were purchased!)

BTW how’d the promo with Craig Ferguson and the FLEX come to be? Have to say that one was “out of the box” concept but to what end?

I can say I have been among the thousands who have had chance to visit Cobo Hall 2-3 times in January to see how some of that overhead got spent in years past…was always impressed with the lavish displays and high design concept settings (esp. BMW, Mercedes Benz, etal…wonder if Congress would be as impressed if they dropped by next month to check things?

By: Roxanne Darling

Roxanne Darling — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 01:15:30 +0000

@mpgomatic There are so many car enthusiasts and a good portion of them have embraced new media technology, as you have. I hope one of these days soon we will see a blend of Ford-originated content and UGC together on a Ford-hosted site.