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The first day of PlaidNation could really not have been better. We kicked off the day at the Ford Test Track. For real. We were escorted through top secret areas with camouflaged cars and tented buildings where the future is being invented. We were assigned two race car drivers - Jerry and Dale. (We assume that to be a test driver for Ford, you also need to sport a race car driver-like name.) And then we were given exclusive access to one of the Ford test tracks to shoot unbelievable footage of the PlaidNation tour vehicle.

If that wasn't enough fun, we met some of Ford's communications team, including world famous @ScottMonty. We even ran into @CatchUpLady in the Ford cafeteria, shot some really fun photos of both of them, and did some cool video interviews.

The entire experience was as easy as pie. Chocolate Pie with whip cream on top. In our business, we shoot footage and photos at a lot of companies across all industries, all over the country. It's rare that things go this smoothly, or that all departments are seamlessly welcoming.

Everyone we met, everywhere we went, we were greeted with Ford awesomeness. Smiles, pride and a care for what they're doing. Not a single "we can't do that" or "this won't be possible." In fact it was nothing but "how can we make this great?"

That's inspiring, refreshing and energizing to see at a company of Ford's size. It's no wonder that they're coming out on top in Detroit - their people are clearly making a difference.

Thanks Ford, for a wonderful sendoff and the most luxurious PlaidNation tour vehicle ever!

Labels: detroit, flex, ford

posted by darryl ohrt at 4:34 PM 1 Comments

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This is the third Plaid tour vehicle, and with every tour we learn a little more about creating the sweetest car graphics. We thought it would be cool to get the perspective from a guy with over 20 years in the business.

Meet Russ, a pro installer for Competition graphics, and the dude who made what @MattHunsberger designed for the Plaid Ford Flex look absolutely awesome on the install. Russ shares a couple of tips and insights for marketers considering their own vehicle graphics.

Thanks Russ, for making Plaid's Flex the hottest tour machine ever!

Labels: detroit, flex, ford, matt

posted by darryl ohrt at 9:45 AM 0 Comments

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Today we began the process of applying graphics to the Ford Flex. Designed by our own @matthunsberger, these are the sweetest Plaid vehicle graphics ever.

The process is slow and tedious, and requires a great deal of talent from the installation company. Most people just drop their car off and pick it up the next day, but we hung around to document the process. Hanging with our installer Russ was pretty cool, as it gave us an appreciation of the detail involved.

There were a couple of spots that didn't match up just perfectly, but Russ was able to piece together some Plaid magic so that you'll never know.

They completed the bulk of the graphics today, and tomorrow we'll install the rear, roof and finishing details. You can see the entire process (so far) on our PlaidNation Flickr page.

Tomorrow: graphics are completed, and cameras installed!

Labels: detroit, flex, ford

posted by darryl ohrt at 9:27 PM 0 Comments

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What a fantastic first day for the pre-tour prep squad. Yesterday Scott Monty, the best dressed man in social media and general rock star at Ford Motors handed us the keys to the sweetest Ford Flex that you've ever seen.

Surprisingly, getting the keys didn't require wrestling Scott Monty to the ground. He just handed over the keys to a bunch of renegade creatives who will transform this car into a rolling social media machine.

Our Ford Flex a pre-production model - which Ford manufactures especially for press reviews and media coverage before the model is released to the public. Our model is a six passenger rolling luxury machine.

Comfy leather seats will greet the Plaid tour crew, with a Sony sound system that kicks ass, built in GPS, iPod/iPhone integration, Sync technology (you tell the car what you want it to do and it listens), a REAL outlet (that will power some of the laptops, cameras and gear), LED lighting and so much more. Oh...and there's a FRIDGE on board. For real.

Over the next few days, this Flex will be transformed into social media awesomeness. We'll have it wrapped in sweet graphics. Install webcams. And Plaid air fresheners. And power it up with five laptops, five creatives and then we'll hit the road to New Orleans.

Thanks, Scott!

Labels: flex, ford

posted by darryl ohrt at 7:50 AM 0 Comments

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PlaidNation is featured on The Ford Story, as one of the In the Spotlight stories!

The Ford Story is one of Ford's most awesome sites (even more awesome now), and serves as sort of a hub that shares the hot stories and conversations all about Ford, their products, their technologies and history. And now they're showing their Plaid love.

We're sure that before the tour is complete, we'll be featured on the front page of every Ford site, quoted by the CEO, and have a car designed after us. But perhaps we're getting just a step ahead of ourselves...in the meantime, send the link to everyone you know and tell your friends that Plaid says Ford is HOT.

Labels: flex, ford

posted by darryl ohrt at 7:01 PM 1 Comments

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This year's Plaid tour will be bigger and better than ever before. Starting with the Plaid ride. Thanks to the Ford Motor Company, we'll be riding in a sweet Ford Flex from Detroit to New Orleans!

Ford Motors has agreed to become the official vehicle sponsor for the PlaidNation tour. That means comfy seating. Ford Sync technology. Built in GPS. And countless other luxuries that the Plaid crew don't typically deserve.

While in Austin attending the SXSW Conference, Ford's own Scott Monty took Dave and Darryl on a nice test drive, while previewing some of the car's awesome features. We're already dreaming up super hot vehicle graphics, and thinking this will be the most Awesome Plaid ride, ever.

Labels: detroit, ford, tour route

posted by darryl ohrt at 6:50 PM 0 Comments