Ford, 2009 SNCR Brand of the Year

American manufacturer Ford was chosen by the Society for New Communications Research (SNCR, a global non-profit research and education foundation) as the Brand of the Year 2009, largely thanks to the way the carmaker used social media to improve their relationship with both their stakeholders and their current and future customers.

"We are honored and humbled that SCNR and its fellows have chosen us for this prestigious award. The last year has been a tumultuous one for the global automotive industry, and we've managed to demonstrate how Ford is different in our strong business plan and our great products. We aim to make the world a better place." Scott Monty, Ford Global Digital and Multimedia Communications manager said in a release.

"We are integrating social media into our marketing and communications efforts, and humanizing the company at every turn."

Ford is currently using several platforms to promote their ideas and vehicles, including TheFordStory.com and social networks like Tweeter. The speak-for-itself example is the way in which the launch of the Fiesta on the North American market is being promoted. So far, the program called the Fiesta Movement managed to raise some 50,000 possible customers, over 95 percent of which are not currently Ford buyers.

"We realize that our success is not only about how and where we tell our story, but how we listen and engage with our communities. Our customers will decide if our efforts and our products resonate with them, and we've already begun to see the forward momentum," Monty concluded.