Ford becomes the exclusive automotive partner of the 2009 Essence Music Festival

(June 11, 2009) Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader is proud to come onboard as a first-year sponsor of the critically-acclaimed Essence Music Festival, held in New Orleans over July 4th weekend and headlined by multi-platinum selling artist Beyonce.

As a proud partner of the influential Festival, Ford has created unique programs for New Orleans, ranging from the sponsorship of the Women's Day Seminar to vehicle ride and drive opportunities with various products in the Ford portfolio, including the All-New 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, the vehicle that allows you to drive 700 miles on a single tank of gas.

The unique sponsorship will allow for Ford to continue to give back to the New Orleans community as well as celebrate their various women empowerment and multicultural initiatives during the nation's largest annual gathering of African-American music and culture.

Ford chose to team up with Essence Magazine on the 2009 Essence Music Festival because Ford has always recognized the significant contributions women have made in moving this country forward. Essence Music Festival sets itself apart from other music events around the world by including three full days of empowerment seminars. The empowerment seminars -- which are free of charge -- are open to the public on a first come, first served basis. Ford will sponsor the Women's Day Seminars on Friday, July 3, 2009.

"Ford is pleased to partner with Essence on such an important initiative," said Crystal Worthem, Multicultural Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company. "The Essence Music Festival truly is an event that empowers women while simultaneously allowing them the chance to have fun for a weekend. We are excited to be a part of this year's event."

Throughout the three day festival, Ford will invite the New Orleans community and Festival attendees to participate in various activities offered by the company, such as vehicle ride and drive opportunities, a Ford sponsored Steve Harvey Morning Show Live Broadcast and books signing, a Ford Fusion Hybrid Vehicle Giveaway as part of their Women Driving Progress Program, a Women's Day Seminar and a special Lincoln-sponsored T.D. Jakes Tribute.

Ford is inviting attendees to visit the Ford booth for a weekend full of celebrity interviews and games and prizes. Ford will also be offering a sneak peek of some of its newest product offerings including the all-new 2010 Taurus, 2010 Lincoln MKT and 2011 Ford Fiesta, ahead of the vehicles arriving in dealer showrooms.

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 automotive 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.

Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the leading media and communications company dedicated to African-American women. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online, the Essence brand is "Where Black Women Come First". The company's flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, Women Who Are Shaping the World Leadership Summit, Window on Our Women (WOW I, II & III) and Smart Beauty I, II & III consumer insights, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 39 years, ESSENCE magazine, which has a readership of 8.1 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women's lives.



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