- The new 2009 Ford Flex hits the high seas as part of Ford's sponsorship of the 2008 Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage Cruise which sets sail from Miami May 18-25.
- One lucky winner aboard the ship will win the keys to the 2009 Ford Flex as part of the Fantastic Voyage Vehicle Giveaway.
- Class-leading space and comfort, upscale details and features, and clever flexibility combine to give Flex a luxurious interior environment under the available multi-panel Vista Roof™.
- The Flex is the new "upstyle" vehicle from Ford.
MIAMI, May 9, 2008 - Ahoy, Ahoy, Ahoy; Attendees of the Ninth Annual Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage Cruise will find more than lounge chairs and an Olympic size swimming pool aboard the cruise's ship. In fact, they'll find the new 2009 Ford Flex parked in the pool deck area of this luxurious cruise ship. This marks Flex's world debut aboard a cruise and will also be the first time that most attendees will get a chance to get intimate with Ford's newest vehicle.
Ford, who has been a sponsor of the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage since 2005 will give away the keys to the Flex as part of an onboard giveaway before the ship docks back into Miami on May 25. This marks the second year that Ford has given away a vehicle as part of their partnership with Tom Joyner.
Joyner will present the keys to one of four lucky contestants who will take a shot at unlocking the doors to the Flex. In addition to giving away a vehicle, Ford also provided an opportunity for two lucky listeners of the Tom Joyner Morning Show to win an all-expense paid trip aboard the cruise. Carla Niedert of Pennsylvania and Danielle Tyler of North Carolina were the two on-air sweepstakes winners.
"I was very excited and still am when I found out that I won," said Tyler. "This was a worldwide sweepstakes and it's unbelievable that I was chosen, it's surreal to me. I've heard about this cruise on the radio and always wanted to go but never thought that I would actually get a chance to go—and go as a winner of Ford's sweepstakes. Having an opportunity to win a car just adds to the excitement."
"Being able to partner with Tom Joyner and the Foundation on a cause that has proven year-over-year to have such an impact within the African American community continues to be exciting for us," said Crystal Greene, Sponsorships & Diverse Markets Manager for Ford.
"We not only have a chance to play a role in raising funds to benefit educational pursuits but we also get an opportunity to bring one of the most stylish, upscale and attention-grabbing vehicles from Ford aboard this ship for seven days. This is truly a thrilling opportunity for us."
The Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage raises more than $1 million each year to keep students in school at Black Colleges and Universities. The "Ultimate Party with a Purpose" will feature non-stop entertainment, events and activities, all benefiting the Tom Joyner Foundation® and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Fantastic Voyage will sail Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas sailing to a number of Caribbean islands. Last year over 4000 attendees took part in the cruise.
"We have had such a great relationship with Ford over the years," said Tom Joyner. "They value the African American community and share our vision to help keep students in HBCU's. This year Ford is taking that vision to a whole new level by not only sponsoring the Tom Joyner Foundation's Fantastic Voyage to benefit these students, but they are also giving one of our passengers the opportunity to drive home in a new 2009 Ford Flex. The fact that this vehicle is going aboard the ship is exciting."
For more information on the 2009 Ford Flex visit www.fordvehicles.com/flex
The 2009 Ford Flex
- The distinctive design of the new 2009 Ford Flex provokes and turns heads. With its signature side grooves, all-black greenhouse and distinct roof, it's like no other vehicle on the road.
- Flex is full of class-leading technologies, including the latest Ford SYNCTM, voice-activated navigation with SIRIUS Travel LinkTM, new premium sound from Sony and innovative, surprise-and-delight features like a refrigerated console.
- Class-leading space and comfort, upscale details and features, and clever flexibility combine to give Flex a contemporary interior environment under the available multi-panel Vista RoofTM.
About the Tom Joyner Morning Show
The nation’s # 1 syndicated urban morning show, which airs in over 115 markets reaching nearly 8 million listeners, has distinguished itself over the years as continuously giving back to its audience with quality programming, highly popular promotions, special events and philanthropy. Since 2004, Joyner has awarded millions to nearly 2,000 contest winners and his Foundation has raised more than $55 million to help keep students in historically black colleges and universities. The Morning Show with co-hosts Sybil Wilkes and J. Anthony Brown also features news analysis with Jacque Reid, the Celebrity Snitch Huggy Lowdown, political commentary by Tavis Smiley, and celebrity news with Jawn Murray, as well as comedic observations and lifestyle tips from Sheryl Underwood, D.L. Hughley, and Adele Givens. Joyner’s website, BlackAmericaWeb.com, has more than 1.5 million registered users and features news with special reports by award winning journalists and exclusive political coverage as well as interactive elements with on demand audio.
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 244,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Mazda, and until completion of their sale, Jaguar Land Rover. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.