Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2013 Ford Fusion campaign will feature 'Idol's' Ryan Seacrest]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/28/2013-ford-fusion-campaign-will-feature-idols-ryan-seacrest/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/28/2013-ford-fusion-campaign-will-feature-idols-ryan-seacrest/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/28/2013-ford-fusion-campaign-will-feature-idols-ryan-seacrest/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ryan Seacrest and Ford Fusion

Just when you thought you could get away from Ryan Seacrest...

The host of Fox's "American Idol" will be featured in an upcoming advertising campaign that will pitch the 2013 Ford Fusion.

Seacrest will help spearhead Ford's "Random Acts of Fusion," which will introduce the model to potential consumers across the country prior to its official debut. Ford will run the campaign through radio, broadcast, social media and Internet channels.

"Through this innovative approach, countless people will have an opportunity to take part in once-in-a-lifetime experiences with the Fusion before it even arrives in dealer showrooms," Ford said, and we're still trying to figure out exactly what that means, but that's the power of suggestion.

Ford has been an 'Idol' sponsor since Season 1 a decade ago, and its promos ever since have included providing the two 2008 finalists with new Ford Escape Hybrids, giving away an American Idol Edition Fusion Hybrid (complete with an in-car karaoke set-up) to a contest winner in 2009 and a 2010 promo that let Idol finalists design their own Ford Fiestas.

Last month marked the best May ever for the Fusion, which moved 26,857 units, up 8.9 percent from a year earlier. Through the first five months of the year, Ford sold more than 112,000 Fusions, making it Ford's second-most popular to its F-Series trucks.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Fusion campaign will feature 'Idol's' Ryan Seacrest

2013 Ford Fusion campaign will feature 'Idol's' Ryan Seacrest originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20132013 ford fusionadvertisingamerican idolfordfusionrandom acts of fusionryan seacrestThu, 28 Jun 2012 10:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20267682/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/28/2013-ford-fusion-campaign-will-feature-idols-ryan-seacrest/20267682/article-detail.xml 20267682 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/seacrest-ford_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/seacrest-ford.jpg <![CDATA[Ecclestone consulting the <i>American Idol</i> Simons on increasing showmanship in F1?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/03/ecclestone-consulting-the-american-idol-simons-on-increas/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/03/ecclestone-consulting-the-american-idol-simons-on-increas/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/03/ecclestone-consulting-the-american-idol-simons-on-increas/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Simon Cowell in the Red Bull Racing garage

More than anything else, Bernie Ecclestone is a businessman. And as a businessman, he's interested in increasing the spectacle in Formula One racing. To that end, reports suggest that the F1 chief is talking with Simon Cowell and Simon Fuller - the creative forces behind American Idol, among countless other reality TV shows - about how to make F1 more attractive to a broader audience.

One proposal the Simons have reportedly put forward would be a thorough reformatting of the grand prix weekend. Instead of practice, qualifying and racing over a three-day weekend, Cowell (pictured above in the Red Bull Racing garage) and Fuller have reportedly suggested cutting the schedule down to two days with two races: the actual grand prix on Sunday, preceded by a preview race on Saturday contested between the teams' test drivers. The Saturday race would count only towards the constructors' championship.

This isn't the first time that Fuller, for his part, has been connected with F1. Just recently we reported on Lewis Hamilton signing with Fuller's talent agency. Fuller was also the brains behind the lamentable MyEarthDream initiative fielded by the Honda F1 team before it pulled out of the sport.

[Source: Pitpass | Image: Andrew Hone/Getty]

Ecclestone consulting the American Idol Simons on increasing showmanship in F1? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american idolbernie ecclestonecowellecclestonef1formula 1formula onefullersimon cowellsimon fullerSun, 03 Apr 2011 17:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19901218/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/03/ecclestone-consulting-the-american-idol-simons-on-increas/19901218/article-detail.xml 19901218 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/gyi00609540781278330332082_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/gyi00609540781278330332082.jpg <![CDATA[What <i>American Idol</i> and Lewis Hamilton now have in common]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/18/what-american-idol-and-lewis-hamilton-now-have-in-common/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/18/what-american-idol-and-lewis-hamilton-now-have-in-common/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/18/what-american-idol-and-lewis-hamilton-now-have-in-common/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lewis Hamilton

It's not love of the limelight. Or propelling raw talent onto the world stage. It's not a taste for performance, either, although these are all attributes that Lewis Hamilton shares with American Idol. (And no, Hamilton hasn't signed a sponsorship deal with Ford, though McLaren has run Dearborn's engines in the past.) What binds them together in contract - as well as spirit - is the deal which the former Formula One World Champion has signed with American Idol creator Simon Fuller and his talent agency, XIX Management.

The move comes a full year after Hamilton relieved his father Anthony of his duties as his manager. Like fellow champion Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton has managed his own affairs since, taking his time to find the right representative before settling on Fuller, whose XIX Entertainment also manages soccer superstar David Beckham and tennis talent Andy Murray.

The move has sparked speculation that Hamilton could switch teams next year if McLaren doesn't up its game. Lewis has been a McLaren driver through and through from the start, fostered by the team in his ascension up the racing ladder, making his grand prix debut in the chrome car in 2007 (and nearly winning the Championship in his first season) and clinching the title the following year. In the seasons since, Hamilton has landed fifth and fourth in the standings respectively, and has been struggling in pre-season tests so far. Follow the jump for the official announcement.

[Source: Lewis Hamilton]

Continue reading What American Idol and Lewis Hamilton now have in common

What American Idol and Lewis Hamilton now have in common originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american idolf1formula 1formula onehamiltonlewis hamiltonsimon fullerxix managementFri, 18 Mar 2011 16:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19881389/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/18/what-american-idol-and-lewis-hamilton-now-have-in-common/19881389/article-detail.xml 19881389 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/lewis128ir2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/lewis128ir2.jpg <![CDATA[American Idol finalists team with Ford designers to create their own Fiestas]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/17/american-idol-finalists-team-with-ford-designers-to-create-own-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/17/american-idol-finalists-team-with-ford-designers-to-create-own-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/17/american-idol-finalists-team-with-ford-designers-to-create-own-f/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aaron Kelly's Ford Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery of all Top 12 American Idol Contestant designs

In case you hadn't noticed, Fox's hit show American Idol is back in full swing, and this is the first week that the competition has been narrowed down to the top 12 finalists. As you might expect, then, it's high time that the annual Ford sponsorship of AI goes into high gear as well.

Each of the Top 12 Idolists teamed up with four of Ford's brightest up-and-coming designers to come up with their own unique take on the Blue Oval's well-regarded Fiesta hatchback. Fans of the show (or fans of the car, we suppose) can enter the Ford Music Video Challenge once per week from March 17 through May 21, 2010, for a chance to win one of the vehicles you see here and a trip to the set of a Ford Music Video shoot. The grand prize winner gets a package that includes a Fiesta with their choice of one of the Top 12 designs and tickets to the AI finale.

We've gallerized a front-three-quarter shot of each contestant's Ford Fiesta design below. You know, each one of them is just so.... unique... that we can't quite goad ourselves into picking a winner. Therefore, we've just placed them in alphabetical order by the Idolists' first names. Feel free to rank them yourselves in the Comments. Full details on the Ford Music Video Challenge can be found here, and you can find the official press release after the jump.


Gallery: American Idol Ford Fiesta designs

Aaron Kelly's Ford FiestaAndrew Garcia's Ford FiestaCasey James' Ford FiestaCrystal Bowersox's Ford FiestaDidi Benami's Ford Fiesta

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading American Idol finalists team with Ford designers to create their own Fiestas

American Idol finalists team with Ford designers to create their own Fiestas originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron kellyAaronKellyAIamerican idolamerican idol fiestaamerican idol fordAmericanIdolAmericanIdolFiestaAmericanIdolFordAndrew GarciaAndrewGarciaCasey JamesCaseyJamescrystal bowersoxCrystalBowersoxDidi BenamiDidiBenamiellenellen degeneresEllenDegeneresfiestafordFord Fiestaford fiesta american idolford music video challengeFordFiestaFordFiestaAmericanIdolFordMusicVideoChallengefoxFox networkfox televisionfox tvFoxNetworkFoxTelevisionFoxTvKara dioguardiKaraDioguardiKatie StevensKatieStevensLacey BrownLaceyBrownLee DewyzeLeeDewyzeMichael LyncheMichaelLynchemusic video challengeMusicVideoChallengePaige MilesPaigeMilesrandy jacksonRandyJacksonSimon CowellSimonCowellSiobhan MagnusSiobhanMagnusTim UrbanTimUrbanWed, 17 Mar 2010 22:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19404178/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/03/17/american-idol-finalists-team-with-ford-designers-to-create-own-f/19404178/article-detail.xml 19404178 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/ai-aaron-fiesta_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/ai-aaron-fiesta.jpg <![CDATA[Ford teams up with American Idol on one-off, karaoke-equipped, special edition Fusion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/02/ford-teams-up-with-american-idol-on-one-off-karaoke-equipped-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/02/ford-teams-up-with-american-idol-on-one-off-karaoke-equipped-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/02/ford-teams-up-with-american-idol-on-one-off-karaoke-equipped-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a hi-res gallery of the American Idol Edition Ford Fusion Hybrid

Some of use here at Autoblog gave up on American Idol a long time ago, but we're obviously the exception, because the talent show still pulls down monster ratings on a weekly basis. In this regard, AI's been a better showcase for Ford (whose involvement dates back to season 1) than say... Knight Rider.

Ford's sponsorship now includes a sweepstakes that will ultimately net someone a new car. Each week, the Idols are featured in some cringe-inducingly terrible music video that makes one long for the understated sophistication that was The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. Anyhow, these videos are posted on the American Idol website, where visitors can register to enter the Ford Music Video Challenge for a shot at the grand prize of a trip to the show's finale and a one-off American Idol Edition Ford Fusion Hybrid fitted with headrest-mounted backseat video screens, an in-car karaoke rig, AI floormats, and an AI trunk decal that would fall victim to a heat gun if it were up to us.

You can watch this week's video here if you dare. It's briefly encouraging in that it momentarily seems as if a Fusion Hybrid is going to mow down the intensely earnest and annoying final five Idols like black-clad bowling pins, but it swerves at the last minute to turn desert into grass, with pink trees sprouting in its multicolored electrical wake. You probably think that we're kidding, but no.


Gallery: 2010 Ford Fusion American Idol Edition



[Source: American Idol / Ford]

Ford teams up with American Idol on one-off, karaoke-equipped, special edition Fusion originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 May 2009 14:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Ford2010FordAmerican IdolAmericanIdolBlue OvalBlueOvalFord FusionFordFusionFox NetworkFoxNetworkidolKara DioGuardiKaraDioguardiPaula AbdulPaulaAbdulRandy JacksonRandyJacksonRyan SeacrestRyanSeacrestSimon CowellSimonCowellSat, 02 May 2009 14:37:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1533330/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/02/ford-teams-up-with-american-idol-on-one-off-karaoke-equipped-s/1533330/article-detail.xml 1533330 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/american-idol-ford-fusion-1_580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/american-idol-ford-fusion-1_580.jpg <![CDATA[David Cook and Ford: The start of a beautiful friendship?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/29/david-cook-and-ford-the-start-of-a-beautiful-friendship/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/29/david-cook-and-ford-the-start-of-a-beautiful-friendship/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/29/david-cook-and-ford-the-start-of-a-beautiful-friendship/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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]

David Cook and Ford: The start of a beautiful friendship? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 May 2008 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american idolamerican-idolAmericanIdoldavid cookdavid-cookDavidCookescapeescape hybridescape-hybridEscapeHybridfordThu, 29 May 2008 09:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1206332/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/05/29/david-cook-and-ford-the-start-of-a-beautiful-friendship/1206332/article-detail.xml 1206332 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/05/81197374_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/05/81197374_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford airing two new Edge commercials tonight directed by David Mamet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/17/ford-airing-two-new-edge-commercials-tonight-directed-by-david-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/17/ford-airing-two-new-edge-commercials-tonight-directed-by-david-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/17/ford-airing-two-new-edge-commercials-tonight-directed-by-david-m/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Ford has commissioned writer and director David Mamet to produce two new commercials for the Edge CUV that will make their TV debut during tonight's episode of American Idol Their real debut is right here, however, where we've included both commercials for your viewing enjoyment.

Mamet is best known for the screenplays he's written, which include Ronin, The Edge, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Wag the Dog, among many others. He's also written and directed many episodes on TV for shows like "The Unit" and "The Shield". His two spots for the Edge highlight how Ford's CUV stack up against more expensive competition, specifically the BMW X5 and Lexus RS350. The commercials will inform viewers that it's faster than the former and quieter than the latter. We find the characters in the commercials a bit annoying, although it's clear their witty dialogue is what we're supposed to be paying attention to.

Check out the second commercial after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford airing two new Edge commercials tonight directed by David Mamet

Ford airing two new Edge commercials tonight directed by David Mamet originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adamerican idolAmericanIdolcommercialdavid mametDavidMametford edgeFordEdgespotTue, 17 Apr 2007 14:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/876367/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/04/17/ford-airing-two-new-edge-commercials-tonight-directed-by-david-m/876367/article-detail.xml 876367 <![CDATA[Ford pitching reality show concept to networks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/ford-pitching-reality-show-concept-to-networks/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/ford-pitching-reality-show-concept-to-networks/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/ford-pitching-reality-show-concept-to-networks/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ford Motor Company, one of the main sponsors of "American Idol," told dealers yesterday that it is circulating a tape around various TV networks to bolster interest in a new reality TV series starring Ford and a yet-to-be-designed vehicle. The concept behind the series is that participants will work with Ford designers to develop their dream concept car.

Now all the automaker needs is a network to pick it up. Our bet is on A&E. If the Arts & Entertainment network will air this, then surely Ford has a future home on cable.

Ford pitching reality show concept to networks originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Apr 2006 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american idolAmericanIdolconcept carConceptCardesignerfordreality tvRealityTvFri, 28 Apr 2006 17:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/612771/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/04/28/ford-pitching-reality-show-concept-to-networks/612771/article-detail.xml 612771 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/tv-set-hidden-camera_default_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/tv-set-hidden-camera_default.jpg -1 2