American Idol's Taylor Hicks makes bold move

American Idol ® winner Taylor Hicks will perform the song “Possibilities” in a new commercial to promote Ford’s “Drive on Us” year-end sales event.

“Drive on Us” includes zero percent financing on nearly all 2006 models, plus customers pay $0 for gas, E-85 or diesel through the end of the year.

Ford has been a proud sponsor of American Idol since 2002.

Fresh on the heels of his American Idol ® victory, Taylor Hicks will launch a new ad for Ford’s model year-end sales event. In the television ad, which debuts on June 15, Hicks sings and dances to a new song, “Possibilities.”

“Taylor Hicks is living the American dream and we’re excited to be a part of his journey to stardom,” said John Felice, Ford brand general marketing manager. “It’s a bold move to audition for American Idol and it takes talent, hard work and confidence to win. That’s why Taylor is such a great fit for Ford.”

“‘Possibilities’ has a great vibe, and it’s a blast to dance to,” said Hicks. “I’m thrilled to be given a chance to perform it as part of the Ford family.”

The commercial was created by JWT Detroit and directed by Michael Humboldt of Plum Productions. Print executions featuring Hicks will debut nationally in USA Today and major newsweeklies. The 60- and 30-second television and radio spots will begin airing locally and nationally on June 15.

American Idol winner Taylor Hicks will perform the song "Possibilities" in a new commercial to promote Ford's "Drive on Us" model year-end sales event.

Ford’s “Drive on Us” promotion runs through July 31, and is available in most major markets. The details are as follows:

“Drive on Us” includes zero percent financing on nearly all 2006 Ford models, plus customers pay $0 for gas, E-85 or diesel fuel through the end of the year.

As part of every sale, Ford will offer customers a pre-paid MasterCard debit card that can be used to purchase up to $1,000 of gas, E-85 or diesel – enough to drive 6,000 miles ($1,100 on select trucks and SUVs).

Alternatively, customers can choose bonus cash of $1,000 which can be taken in cash or applied to the purchase agreement.

Customer cash of $1,000 - $4,000 is available on several models in lieu of zero percent financing.

Ford’s most fuel-efficient cars, its technologically advanced Escape Hybrid and its most capable trucks and SUVs are included.
The Ford GT and the Ford Mustang GT are not included in the “Drive on Us” promotion.

During the Idol finale, Hicks and fellow finalist Katharine McPhee both received new Mustang convertibles. Ford has been a proud sponsor of American Idol since its debut season in June of 2002.

phantom330 - 6/15/2006 6:27:46 PM

+1 Boost

I'm sure that'll help Ford's image, a gray haired nerd singing about their lame products.

MercBasher - 6/16/2006 9:59:55 AM

+1 Boost

I assume that Ford has done market research and determined that this will help sell product in the short term - probably to their target markets in trailer parks - but can it really help the brand?

Then again, except for Mustang, I can't remember any recent Ford print ads, or commercials, or sponsorships. . . and Ford spends how much per year?

MercBasher - 6/16/2006 10:03:29 AM

+1 Boost

I was just looking at the print poster above again and started laughing. Taylor Hicks was the winner for the American Idel 2005/6 season and the Ford ad says "model year clearance" - I was slow but now I get the humor and I like it.

phantom330 - 6/16/2006 10:58:52 AM

+1 Boost

We appear to have different taste in automobiles :) I never minded the last gen mustang or the prior ones, I'm not a big "retro" person, so maybe that has something to do with it. I've yet to see a new mustang that I think looks good, including the GT500. The body style is horrid at best. There really isn't much to compare between American cars these days, nothing even sparks my interest, which is sad because I would rather buy American if they could get themselves inline with the foreign competition.

phantom330 - 6/16/2006 3:00:27 PM

+1 Boost

Well I would certainly rather buy American products to support our workers if the quality was there, but it's not.

phantom330 - 6/16/2006 6:10:17 PM

+1 Boost

you are 100% correct BMW530i, but point being there are thousands and thousands of Americans are employed by "the big three", and stockholders and employee family depend on those products selling to make it and avoid layoffs. Certainly no car uses 100% domestic materials. My point is that it's benefitting Americans more if we buy domestic vs. foreign. That being said, I own a BMW, so you do the math ;)

phantom330 - 6/20/2006 10:04:53 AM

+1 Boost

Actually the X3 is not made in America, only the Z4 and the X5 are. That being said, there are plenty of foreign car manufacturers that employ American workers (myself included). All things being equal though, I would rather see American car manufacturers doing well. Any way you slice it Chevy/Ford employs probably 5 times the amount of workers that foreign car manufacturers do, not to mention they are both NYSE listed and have much bigger domestic operations. My point must have been taken out of context.