Influencing brand perception – Ford
Full Disclosure: I wrote this post on the topic of ‘Ford in 2010‘ in hopes of being selected to participate in the Ford 2010 Model Year Drive Event.
Prior to being contacted about test driving a Ford Fusion Hybrid, I did not have much of an opinion on Ford. My parents owned a Ford van when I was a child, and all that I can recall is that they did not really like it…but who knows, maybe it was a problem with the dealer and not the product?
Regardless of what it was, things like that stick with you, and as a result, I probably would have not considered buying a Ford when looking for a new car (as I just did recently), but when I was contacted about this opportunity, I was intrigued.
I had heard of the Fiesta Movement and was beginning to think that maybe Ford was making good use of social media. A representative of the brand had reached out to me to make a personal connection. Ford had created a community – and a network (they’re different) – where the members controlled the content and the discussion, and the brand had perhaps unintentionally, perhaps intentionally, put a human face on its social media, Scott Monty.
After being quite impressed by the Fusion Hybrid and Ford’s social media program in general, I am convinced that Ford is turning a corner. The company is making very fuel efficient vehicles, AND it is creating a community. Now, what it needs for the rest of the year and 2010 is to ensure that this program is scalable.
In the next year, consumers will increasingly want to know that the makers of the products they buy both listen to them and value them by being willing to have a conversation. Ford is well on the way, and if it continues this way, I can’t wait what to see what develops.
Do you see other large companies doing this? Or, do I just have a rosy view of this because I got to drive one of their cars?
Tags: ford in 2010, fordtestdrive, fusion hybrid, model year drive event
July 15th, 2009 at 12:42 am
[...] This post was Twitted by reputmgmt [...]
July 15th, 2009 at 5:25 am
You are so right about Ford's direction for 2010. The community and network they've developed are second to none. I love that they answer questions promptly and their social media folk actually interact with the community!
July 15th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
You are so right about Ford's direction for 2010. The community and network they've developed are second to none. I love that they answer questions promptly and their social media folk actually interact with the community!