NASHVILLE, Tenn., September 7, 2006 – Ford is kicking off unprecedented fall advertising for 2007 F-Series trucks this week marking the opening of the official NFL season, the final race before the NASCAR “Chase for the Cup” and Toby Keith’s new concert tour and big-screen debut. Ford’s relationship with Keith takes center stage tonight as Ford Trucks present the Hollywood entertainer’s premiere of Paramount Classics’, CMT Films’ motion picture, Broken Bridges, alongside co-stars Kelly Preston, Willie Nelson, Burt Reynolds and Lindsey Haun.

Ford’s new ad strategy is aimed squarely at pickup truck customers’ favorite pastimes – racing, country music and outdoors activities. In addition to placing F-series advertising in heavy rotation during NFL football and NASCAR “Chase for the Cup” coverage, Ford Trucks are partnered with Toby Keith in new ads, his concert tour and the new movie.

Ford’s role in Broken Bridges expands the F-Series relationship with Keith to a larger audience of mainstream movie-goers. Ford Trucks forged a relationship with Keith – a third-generation Ford Truck owner – as an up-and-coming country superstar in 2002. The relationship blossomed with the release of Keith’s song Ford Truck Man used in Ford Trucks advertising since 2004.

“Ford and Toby Keith are both leaders in what we do and we both reach out to hard working Americans,” says Ben Poore, Ford Truck group marketing manager. “We’ve tied Ford Trucks to Toby in many unique ways because his fans understand that he is a genuine Ford Truck Man.”

Keith’s first foray into acting was a natural extension for Ford Trucks, allowing Ford to maintain a strong relationship with Keith and his core country music base while also building inroads to a more diverse crowd. Keith built up his acting resume by starring in a variety of Ford Truck ads, as well as dramatic Ford-produced videos that kick off each of his concerts.

The Broken Bridges premiere – including live performances by Keith and the newest addition to his label Show Dog Nashville, Lindsey Haun – will be broadcast live via satellite to thousands of fans in more than 100 U.S. cities and military bases on seven continents. The movie premiere’s broad audience includes Ford Truck strongholds – Texas, Southern California, Denver, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida – and many other markets along and between the coasts. Keith and Haun’s performances will feature songs from the new Broken Bridges soundtrack.

Ford Trucks will sponsor the one evening event and present VIP, red-carpet arrivals to the historical Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. in Ford F-series trucks. The special is presented via-satellite by National CineMedia in high definition exclusively to chosen Regal, United Artists, Edwards, Cinemark and Georgia Theatre Company movie theatres.

Hookin’ Up at Concerts, too
F-Series also is the presenting sponsor of Keith’s wildly successful “Hookin’ Up and Hangin’ Out Tour” in the United States which began August 11 in Cleveland, with 60 tour dates planned. Ford Truck enters its fourth straight year sponsoring Keith’s concerts, including the 2003 “Shock N’Y’All Tour” as well as the “Big Throwdown Tours” in 2004 and 2005. Ford’s tour sponsorship integration – including dramatic entrances and on-stage appearances that kick off each performance – is the product of creative collaboration between Keith and Ford.

Ford Truck launched the new “Hang With Toby” website promotion at www.HangWithToby.com. One lucky entrant will win a 2007 Ford F-150 FX4 pickup and the opportunity to meet and have lunch with Toby Keith. In the Ford Truck tradition of offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences, the winner also will earn a spot in the actual video.

Built Ford Tough: A Legacy of Leadership
As the most successful vehicle in the history of automobiles, the Ford F-Series is in a league of its own at the top of the automotive game. It’s been the best-selling truck in America for 29 consecutive years and the best-selling vehicle for 23 years in a row. In 2006, it’s on track to retain truck leadership for a 30th year. Since its debut in 1948, Ford Motor Company has sold more than 31 million F-Series trucks around the world. Ford sells one F-Series truck every 34 seconds in the U.S.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With nearly 325,000 employees and 110 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company and Hertz. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.

Toby Keith’s Hookin’ Up and Hangin’ Out” Tour Presented by Ford F-Series

Upcoming 2006 Concert Dates Include: 

 

Location	Date
Fresno, CA	September 14
Mountain View, CA	September 15
San Bernardino, CA	September 16
San Diego, CA (HOB)	September 17
Phoenix, AZ	September 22
Las Vegas, NV	September 23
Sacramento, CA	September 24
Denver, CO	September 27
St. Louis, MO	September 29
Chicago, IL	September 30
Indianapolis, IN	October 01
Cincinnati, OH	October 05
Columbus, OH	October 06
Washington, DC	October 07
Virginia Beach, VA	October 13
Raleigh, NC	October 14
Charlotte, NC	October 15

 *** More dates to be announced later at www.TobyKeith.com

Source: Ford Motor Company