Ford and House Party Host 1,000 American Idol Finale Parties Across the Country

Ford and House Party Host 1,000 American Idol Finale Parties Across the Country

IRVINGTON, N.Y. and DETROIT, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- House Party, a leading consumer activation and experiential marketing company, is partnering with Ford Motor Company to encourage thousands of consumers to watch the first night of the American Idol finale shows on Tuesday, May 19 while obtaining an exclusive look at the 2010 Ford Fusion, the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America. More than 15,000 consumers across the United States are anticipated to be at the parties.

House Party's word-of-mouth marketing platform specializes in engaging thousands of qualified consumer advocates to host in-home parties where a brand or product is at the center of the party. Hosts invite their friends into their homes to hold a fun, authentic party. Each event is tracked and monitored by a custom-branded micro-site, launched to gather, galvanize and manage the party community and track the powerful and carefully engineered outcomes of each House Party event.

"By adding House Party to our marketing mix, we are able to extend our message and create meaningful grassroots engagements by encouraging consumers to experience our product line-up in a fun environment with their friends," said Connie Fontaine, Ford's Brand Content and Alliance Manager.

Hosts of the Ford American Idol House Party will also be given the opportunity to have a new 2010 Ford Fusion or Fusion Hybrid at their house on the evening of their party so their guests can experience the car first-hand. A Ford American Idol House Party representative will be contacting hosts to arrange the delivery of the vehicle.

In addition, one lucky host will be chosen to drive off with a new 2010 limited edition American Idol inspired Ford Fusion and a trip for two to the two-day finale of American Idol. However, the host will be selected based on the amount of votes they receive, similar to the American Idol voting process. Each host will set up their own voting page and encourage friends and guests to vote for them. The more votes a host receives the more entries into the sweepstakes for a chance to win.

The Ford American Idol House Party hosts will be supplied with a party pack, which will include:

   --  Tote bags   --  Napkins, coasters, plates and cups with the Ford logo   --  Cookie Cutters - oval and car shaped   --  Slingbags   --  Blue and white balloons with the Ford logo   --  Notepads   --  American Idol pens   --  Ford Fusion banners    --  Special content DVD with a Former American Idol contestant and       information about the Ford Fusion    

"Ford is leveraging a major television event to encourage consumers to gather their friends and families in their homes," said Kitty Kolding, CEO of House Party. "It will be a great opportunity for Ford to inform these consumers about its new Fusion."

Providing an exclusive, hands-on brand experience, House Party activates brand engagement through peer-to-peer endorsement and a viral online community where consumer advocates build transactions and excitement for the brand. As a result, the Ford American Idol House Parties will build buzz before, during and after the event through a customized online community space. The hosts are asked to recount their party through photo and video downloads on the House Party website at www.HouseParty.com, as well as by posting detailed blog entries.

About House Party

Founded in 2005, House Party is a leading consumer activation and experiential marketing services company that engages thousands of qualified consumer advocates who host in-home parties featuring a brand, product or element of entertainment programming. Managed via a proprietary, customized online community space for each brand event, consumers engage both in home and online to explore and promote brands they love. Headquartered in Irvington, NY, House Party works with such industries as consumer packaged goods, food & beverage, television, theatrical releases, consumer electronics, pharmaceutical, toys & games and automotive. Current clients include Sargento, NBC, Disney, Ford, Microsoft and P&G.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's wholly owned brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

   CONTACT:   Terese A. Kelly              Director of Public Relations              Office:  914-250-2056              Cell:  973-722-2482              terese.kelly@houseparty.com               Alan Hall              Communications Manager              Ford Motor Company              Office:  313-594-3744              Ahall32@ford.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: House Party

CONTACT: Terese A. Kelly, Director of Public Relations, Office:
+1-914-250-2056, Cell: +1-973-722-2482, terese.kelly@houseparty.com; or Alan
Hall, Communications Manager of Ford Motor Company, +1-313-594-3744,
Ahall32@ford.com

Web Site: http://www.houseparty.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment