It’s no secret that Ford Motor Co. has had a long-standing relationship with the Fox show American Idol. The automaker’s sponsorship includes banner ads, TV commercials starring Idol contestants, and now a sweepstakes with a bunch of 2011 Ford Fiestas as the grand prize. According to Ford, each of the show’s top 12 contestants got the opportunity to design his or her own customized 2011 Fiesta, using colors, body graphics and wheel treatments that reflect their personality. Talk about brand exposure! Ford’s logo is everywhere you look on the Idol site. It seems the strategy is working, because if you asked me to name one brand that comes to mind in association with American Idol, I’d say Ford.
—Posted by Elena Malykhina