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Zynga Helps Ford Reveal All-New Escape Through World’s Largest ‘Words With Friends’ Game

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  • Ford and Zynga, the world’s largest social game developer, are joining forces to create the world’s largest “Words With Friends” game on Nov. 15
  • Fans around the U.S. can compete against actress Jenny McCarthy as they help reveal aspects of the Ford Escape throughout the game; this is the first time Ford has revealed a vehicle through a social game
  • The all-new Ford Escape will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 16
 
DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 14, 2011 – Fans of the popular mobile and online social game, “Words With Friends,” will be able to participate in a bigger version of the game on Tuesday,
Nov. 15. Actress Jenny McCarthy will compete against the entire country in the world’s largest Words With Friends game, and in the process reveal the all-new 2013 Ford Escape.
 
Ford and Zynga, the world’s largest social game developer, are collaborating to reveal the all-new Escape in a novel integration of social platforms and mobile gaming. The use of mobile devices has grown, with nearly 33 percent of Americans owning smartphones and one out of three mobile phone users playing mobile games on their devices.
 
“By revealing the new Escape through a popular social game like Words With Friends, Ford is able to expand its reach beyond traditional social channels to mobile platforms that engage a broader audience,” said Matt VanDyke, director, U.S. Marketing Communications for Ford. “This will be the first of a series of social gaming initiatives that are integrated into the launch of the Escape next year.”
 
This partnership with Zynga marks the first time an automotive company has revealed a vehicle through a social game.
 
“We’re always looking for fun ways to celebrate and give back to our players,” said Paul Bettner, general manager for Zynga With Friends, the studio that created Words With Friends. “Creating a huge, live game, and pitting our players against Jenny on a single day is going to be a lot of fun, and we’re excited Ford has helped put our game up in lights.”
 
Words With Friends kicks off the first of a series of social gaming initiatives that will be launched as part of Escape Routes. Escape Routes is a new online, interactive reality series featuring the all-new Ford Escape that continues into 2012. The team-based competition will include virtual and real-world challenges.
 
Play in L.A., play anywhere
Fans in the Los Angeles area can also play a role in revealing the all-new Ford Escape. The game will take place at Hollywood and Highland in the Los Angeles area, and will also be live-streamed at www.Facebook.com/fordescape and www.livestream.com/ford so fans at home can play along.
 
During the game, which will take place from 8 to 9 p.m. PST on Tuesday, players can submit their word suggestions through the live-stream chat.
 
About the Ford Escape
The all-new Ford Escape goes on sale next spring, building on the success of Ford’s highly popular small SUV. First introduced in 2000, nearly 2 million Escapes have been sold.
 
In addition to being a technological leader, the all-new Ford Escape will be a fuel economy leader, too. The vehicle will be offered with three fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines, including 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter versions of Ford’s popular EcoBoost® engines.
 
The all-new Ford Escape will be built at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky.
 
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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 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

 

About Zynga

Zynga Inc. is the world’s leading social game developer with more than 230 million monthly active users playing its games which include CityVille, FarmVille, Empires & Allies, FrontierVille, Words With Friends, Mafia Wars 1 and 2, Zynga Poker, Cafe World, and Treasure Isle. Zynga Inc games are available on a number of global platforms including Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo, the iPad, the iPhone and Android devices. Through Zynga.org, Zynga players have raised more than $10 million for world social causes. Zynga Inc. is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.zynga.com or www.zynga.org. 

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