Ford Brazil is the First Automaker to Sponsor Campus Party, South America’s Largest Technology Event

Scott Monty, Ford’s global digital and multimedia communications manager.

SAO PAULO, Brazil, Feb. 1, 2013 – Ford Brazil will unite technology and cars as it will sponsor Campus Party Brazil, the country’s largest event combining innovation, creativity and digital culture. This is the first time that a Brazilian automaker is one of the event’s sponsors.

Ford, which is one of Brazil’s most innovative automakers, is holding several events to show the latest technology in its cars and to discuss how social media is being integrated into company’s business.

To discuss that topic, Scott Monty, Ford’s global digital and multimedia communications manager, came to Brazil to present the company’s social media strategy in a keynote speech on Jan. 30. Monty was recently named as one of the world’s top online influencers by Forbes magazine.

In his lecture, Monty highlighted how Ford is expanding the ways to communicate with consumers and the Ford enthusiasts through social networking. He shared global cases, lessons learned, and best practices, from the client and agency point of view.

Monty discussed the Open Innovation concept, which aims to stimulate innovation, which is one of Ford’s main focuses. The executive explained Ford’s innovative stance in becoming the world’s first automaker to launch an open developer program, which enables software developers to directly interface with the vehicle and create apps that will enhance the driving experience.

Monty met with key technology journalists and online influencers to promote Ford’s presence at Campus Party. The result has been outstanding as more than 70 articles (view Update or Die video and Brainstorm9 interview) have been published so far.

On Feb. 1, João Marcos Ramos, Chief Designer at Ford South America, also presented a lecture on the evolution of a car’s design -- from the first sketches to the final product. Ramos and his team designed the all-new EcoSport, Ford’s first global car developed in Brazil, and he shared his experience of working with a global team with the crowd.

Being green, which is one of Ford’s brand pillars, was also a focus at Campus Party. Ford offered electronic equipment recycling where campuseiros could drop off electronic scrap and fill up the cargo bed of an all-new Ranger.

Ford is also promoting a Facebook contest where campuseiros can win prizes, including iPads, iPhone 5s and an all-new EcoSport. Throughout each day of the event, participants visit the Ford Brasil Facebook page, where five numbers will be randomly posted. The person who figures out the proper five-number sequence which will open the driver door’s keypad of an all-new Fusion wins the daily prize. The EcoSport is the largest prize ever offered in Campus Party Brazil’s history.

“We’re here not just to promote the Ford brand, but to establish permanent connection with the public,” said Adriane Rocha, Ford Brazil Corporate Communications Manager.

About 160,000 people are expected to attend the event, which is in its sixth year. Over 8,000 campuseiros (hackers, developers, gamers and geeks) will camp out at Anhembi Convention Center during the entire event.