Today In Social Media: Ford Dealers & The 'Retail Movement'

It's no secret that Ford's "Fiesta Movement" campaign has been a huge success. Though some critics found it slightly cloying and trendy, the program  made great use of web resources like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to generate brand awareness. Now the company is asking dealerships to join the "Retail Movement" in advance of the Fiesta's launch next summer. Participants must commit to using social media outlets and other grassroots marketing tactics, though dealers can recoup up to 80% of their costs after completion of the project. Dealer education of this sort is a fantastic idea, and to see Ford start the campaign now -- months before the Fiesta launch -- shows that the company has its head fully in the game. [MediaPost]