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Photos: Test Drive America's Most Fuel Efficient Midsize Sedan, Earn Access To American Idol Viewing Party

Posted on: Thursday, 14 May 2009, 09:00 CDT

- On Tuesday, May 19, for the first time ever, Ford is making it possible to view the "American Idol" finale at cinemas in 10 cities nationwide through National CineMedia

- To gain access to the private cinema viewing parties, consumers must test drive a new 2010 Ford Fusion or Fusion Hybrid at select test drive events between the dates of May 7-10 and May 14-17

- Test drivers will also be entered into a drawing to win a limited edition American Idol Ford Fusion and an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the two-night "American Idol" finale on Tuesday, May 19 and Wednesday, May 20

DEARBORN, Mich., May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As "American Idol" excitement reaches a fever pitch, Ford fans across the country will get the opportunity to attend a special private showing of the first night of the two-night "American Idol" finale at cinemas nationwide on May 19. Ford is hosting the cinema events through National CineMedia in celebration of the new 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in America and the official vehicle of the hit television show.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/ford/38055/

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090514/NY16873 )

Invitations to the red carpet cinema viewing parties can be obtained simply by test driving a Ford Fusion or Fusion Hybrid at select events nationwide during the month of May.

Ford Fusion Select Events:

• May 7-9, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and May 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Boston, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Tampa, Washington, D.C.
• May 14-16, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Atlanta, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia

For more information and a complete list of test drive locations, visit www.fordrocksthecinema.com.

VIP passes for the Tuesday, May 19 private cinema viewing parties in each city will be distributed at the test drive locations on a first come, first served basis until capacity is reached. Once the VIP passes are distributed, a $10 gift card to a local major retailer will be presented to Fusion test drivers. All test drivers will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the live "American Idol" finale in Los Angeles and a limited edition 2010 "American Idol" Ford Fusion. Grand prize winners will be notified on May 17, 2009.

Designed with serious music fans in mind, the limited edition 2010 American Idol Ford Fusion Hybrid comes complete with everything needed to karaoke while on the go, including a 12-speaker Sony(R) Audio System and a karaoke kit for MP3 players with LCD monitors mounted in the headrests of the driver and front passenger seats. The vehicle also features "American Idol" embroidered floor mats and exterior badging.

Ford's new 2010 Fusion is set to shake up the midsize sedan segment, bringing an all-new hybrid that will deliver best-in-class fuel economy of any midsize sedan in America, plus class-exclusive technologies including Ford's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS(R)) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Ford SYNC(R), and proven quality and reliability that has been recognized by top consumer groups and magazines.

To help generate additional excitement for the Fusion, Ford is collaborating with House Party, a leading consumer activation and experiential marketing company. One thousand House Party hosts will invite their friends, families, neighbors and co-workers to their own house parties on the first night of the two-night "American Idol" finale. Local Ford dealers will loan new 2010 Ford Fusions to party hosts for the evening allowing guests to experience the vehicle among friends in a festive environment. One party host drawn at random also will win a new 2010 Ford Fusion and a trip to the "American Idol" finale in Los Angeles. More information can be found at www.houseparty.com/fordamericanidol.

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 205,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's 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.

About "American Idol"

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America.

About FremantleMedia North America

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative television programs for network, cable and syndicated platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon "American Idol" (FOX), "American Idol Rewind" (syndicated), "American Idol Extra" (Fox Reality), "America's Got Talent" (NBC), "Celebrity Family Feud" (NBC), "The Osbournes: Reloaded" (FOX), "Hole In The Wall" (FOX), "Farmer Wants A Wife" (The CW), "The Phone" (MTV), "Rock The Cradle" (MTV), "Can You Duet" (CMT), "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency" (Oxygen), "Family Feud" (syndicated), "Million Dollar Password" (CBS), and the longest-running game show in television history, "The Price Is Right" (CBS).

About 19 Entertainment Ltd.

Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment Ltd. is recognized as a lead creator, provider and promoter of globally successful entertainment and music brands of today. The company has attracted a unique team of exceptionally creative executives, who work together to integrate and leverage activity across television, sports, film, touring, merchandising, music publishing, recording and artist management. 19 Founder/CEO Simon Fuller has developed and managed some of the biggest entertainment properties of our time, with credits that include the creation of TV phenomenon AMERICAN IDOL and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, and the HBO series "Little Britain USA." 19's unique talent includes legendary musical icon Annie Lennox, country music sensation Carrie Underwood, the pop group sensation Spice Girls, and IDOL alumni Chris Daughtry, David Cook, supermodel Claudia Schiffer and soccer icon David Beckham.

About CKX, Inc.

CKX, Inc. is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content. To date, the Company has focused on acquiring globally recognized entertainment content and related assets, including the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, the operations of Graceland, the rights to the name, image and likeness of Muhammad Ali and proprietary rights to the IDOLS television brand, including the American Idol series in the United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS television show format which, collectively, air in more than 100 countries. For more information about CKX, Inc., visit its corporate website at www.ckx.com.

About National CineMedia

National CineMedia (NCM) LLC operates the largest digital in-theater network in North America through long-term agreements with its founding members, AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), the three largest theater operators in the U.S., and through multi-year agreements with several other theater operators. NCM LLC produces and distributes its FirstLook pre feature program; cinema, lobby and online advertising products; comprehensive meeting and event services and other entertainment programming content. NCM LLC's national network includes approximately 17,300 screens of which approximately 15,300 are part of the company's Digital Content Network (DCN). NCM LLC's network covers 176 Designated Market Areas(R) (49 of the top 50). During 2008, approximately 690 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters currently included in the network (excluding Consolidated Theatres and Star Theatres). National CineMedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: NCMI) owns a 41.5% interest in and is the managing member of NCM LLC. To learn more about National CineMedia Inc., please visit the company's website at www.ncm.com.

Go to http://media.ford.com for news releases and high-resolution photographs.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company

Source: PR Newswire

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