David Cook and Ford: The start of a beautiful friendship?
Our brothers-in-green have already covered the fact that Ford saw fit to provide new rides to the two American Idol finalists. This isn't a shocker; Ford is a major sponsor of the hit talent show on Fox. The chosen rides? Ford Escape Hybrids, which we have found to be very nice vehicles that return rather good fuel efficiency. According to The Detroit News, Cook is getting along with both his new car and Ford Motor Company in general rather swimmingly, "I love it. It's nice to have a new car. Ford has been amazing throughout the whole process. I definitely could see this as the start of something," says the rocker. Ford capitulates. "We don't have anything in the works with David yet but he is someone Ford would be proud to be associated with," according to Connie Fontaine. She should know, she manages Ford's relationship with American Idol. An American Idol tie-up has been made in the past, as past winner Kelly Clarkson sang a custom tune for Ford's last marketing campaign. [Source: The Detroit News, Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Allan 9:55AM (5/29/2008)
Tack this on the board with the Jesus Fords for reasons for me not to buy a Ford.
Not that I would anyway, but any association in American Idol just drives me further away.
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Egon 9:56AM (5/29/2008)
"...but he is someone Ford would be proud to be associated with." I wonder if anyone at the Blue Oval was thinking the same thing when they paired up with Taylor Hicks. Seeing that guy scream and gyrate in front of an Escape or Fusion was damn-near nausea-inducing.
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Avinash machado 10:14AM (5/29/2008)
Instead of wasting money on celebrity endorsements why not use the money to build better cars?
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Lauren Wolf 10:34AM (5/29/2008)
Although celebrity endorsements may generate publicity, I think that Midas' new promotion is a lot more meaningful. They are partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and donating $5 from each Midas Touch Maintenance Package directly to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The commercial and more information can be found at www.midaswish.com.
Disgruntled Goat 12:50PM (5/29/2008)
"Instead of wasting money on celebrity endorsements why not use the money to build better cars?"
Because to the general public image is more important than product. Even this board is filled with people who openly admit they wouldn't buy CarX because of the brand even though CarX is a better overall vehicle.
BlazerUnit 12:00AM (6/01/2008)
Because for what these endorsements cost, putting that money back into the cars would probably result in a negligible improvement, if at all. It's not as if they're spending boo-koo billions on Jill Wagner and the American Idol finalists.
They still need people to buy the first car before they can get you an improved one.
tanooki2003 10:53AM (5/29/2008)
Oh good grief. Gimme a break Ford. Enough with the publicity stunts and start properly allocating all available resources and ideas into fixing your train wreck of a car lineup.
You guys better start cracking the whip NOW! There is no time for you guys to waste on stupid idiotic stuff like this. You keep this up and you will be even further behind Chrysler. Right now the only thing you have over other domestics is your improved reliability. No more goofing around with exec playtime money. I want to see some changes in 2009. By time 2010 is here it will be too late because i will not wait for you guys to finally realize how serious you need to fix this atrocious car lineup.
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Bob-omb 10:56AM (5/29/2008)
I actually like David Cook a lot. He's better than all of this. First, seeing him go on a date with that obnoxious Idol has-been upset me...and now he's going to be shilling for the least respected cars in America? Come on, David!
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Disgruntled Goat 12:51PM (5/29/2008)
He's shilling for Volkswagen now too??
The Luigiian 11:05AM (5/29/2008)
Guys, this isn't that bad. Ford has been working pretty hard getting all its stuff together, this advertising is just one of many ways it's trying to reverse itself.
Reliability on most of its models is improved, they're working on the new Mustang and F-150, the Fiesta is coming soon, a new Focus is coming thereafter.
Obviously they're not done, but to tell them "STOP MAKING THESE IDIOTIC BUSINESS DECISIONS LIKE ADVERTISING YOUR CARS MAKE ME MY CAR RIGHT NOW" is crazy. They can only go as fast as their engineers can work.
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Matt DeCillis 12:17PM (5/29/2008)
Great post! I guess they think Ford should just sit back, not advertise until they come up with better cars. You Ford bashers are crazy.
I'm sure most of you bashers have never owned a Ford either, pretty funny. I've owned about 8 in the past 15 years, some Mustangs that have been beaten on, raced, modified and dynoed with not a single problem, an Explorer, Focus, Freestar, all have been PERFECT. They have never been back to the dealer other then a recall on the Cobra we have for a leaking rear seal. I will be purchasing a 2008 GT Convertible within the next few months as well.
Mal Fuller 11:24AM (5/29/2008)
The guy needs to shave.
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Mal Fuller 11:25AM (5/29/2008)
The guy needs to shave.
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nardvark 11:45AM (5/29/2008)
"David Cook: He has a fivehead, just like the grill of our SUV's."
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Brad2CV 1:00PM (5/29/2008)
If I were a carmaker I would hire a karaoke singer as my spokesman too...not. If you hire someone for image then why not a real celeb? "Hello, i'm Lindsay Lohan. I might be unstable but my Ford is rock solid and dependable."
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scooter 1:55PM (5/29/2008)
David Cook is from Kansas City. Ford Escapes are from Kansas City. Just sayin'
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empowah 1:52PM (5/29/2008)
Well, the Escape Hybrid *is* made in his hometown of Kansas City, MO...
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Mel. R 2:00PM (5/29/2008)
He looks high.
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Cam 2:47PM (5/29/2008)
"The chosen rides? Ford Escape Hybrids..." Does this imply that the finalists got to chose their own cars? Cause if it does, why in God's name would you not choose a Mustang Shelby GT or something. I mean, seriously?
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BlazerUnit 12:03AM (6/01/2008)
Gas.