Download Catch It If You Can: New Ford Escape Featured on First

Jul 1, 2016 | DEARBORN, Mich.
Catch It If You Can: New
Ford Escape Featured on
First-of-Its-Kind Reality
Show 'The Runner'
• Ford collaborates with Verizon’s Go90™ mobile app to
make 2017 Ford Escape an integral part of “The Runner” –
an innovative reality show that begins airing live today on
the app and on AOL.com and Xbox; show runs through July
• The lead character – the Runner – and five chasing teams
will drive new Ford Escape SUVs in live cross-country race;
daily show to give viewers a chance to interact with cast via
social media
• In addition to being driven by show contestants, new Ford
Escape and its various features and attributes – such as
®
SYNC 3, voice-activated phone call and text message
capability, foot-activated liftgate and cargo space – are
integrated into player challenges along the route
DEARBORN, Mich., July 1, 2016– It’s called “The Runner,” but
contestants are getting some help from the new 2017 Ford Escape
as they keep their eyes on a cash prize.
A first-of-its-kind reality show, “The Runner” was created by
executive producers Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. It centers on
one individual – the Runner – scrambling to make it across the
United States while five two-person teams, with the help of those
at home, give chase. Viewers can root for a particular chase team,
and use social media to provide clues as to the Runner’s location
at any given time.
™
Ford Motor Company and Verizon’s Go90 mobile app have
formed an expansive marketing collaboration that puts the 2017
Ford Escape at the center of “The Runner,” which begins airing live
today on the Go90 app – available on Apple or Android mobile
devices – as well as on AOL.com and Xbox. The show runs through
July.
Kevin Schad, Escape brand manager, says Escape’s adventurous,
unstoppable spirit fits with the mindset of the innovative new
show. “With live daily content that invites viewers to participate,
‘The Runner’ is an ideal program to showcase the innovative
technologies of the new Ford Escape,” he says. “It’s a natural fit.”
The deal makes Ford the title sponsor of the show, one of the first
Go90 programs to be distributed across AOL’s content properties.
Along with “The Runner,” users of the Go90 app can watch a
variety of other programming including exclusive originals, sports,
live events and prime-time shows from networks such as HBO,
Comedy Central and BuzzFeed.
As part of its title sponsorship, Ford is featuring the 2017
Escape through a three-pronged strategy covering brand-based
challenges, product integration, and social media partnerships
that capitalize on live, hosted daily segments of the competition.
Contestants take on challenges, and features and attributes of
®
the new Ford Escape – such as SYNC 3, voice-activated phone
call and text message capability, foot-activated liftgate and cargo
space – play an integral role in helping them overcome the
challenges.
“The Runner” is set to feature three new episodes a day
throughout the month, enabling viewers to track the participants’
cross-country progress. AOL and Go90 will distribute cobranded content across their social platforms, including YouTube,
Snapchat, Facebook and Twitter. Ford will distribute branded
content on its social media channels.
On sale now at dealerships across the United States, the 2017
Ford Escape is updated with available smart technology such as
SYNC 3 and fuel-saving Auto Start-Stop. Available driver-assist
technologies include adaptive cruise control and collision warning
with brake support, a lane-keeping system and enhanced active
park assist.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn,
Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and
services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles
and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through
Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions
in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions.
Ford employs approximately 202,000 people worldwide. For
more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor
Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
About Go90
Go90 is a free, mobile-first, social entertainment platform
that makes it easy and fun to discover, enjoy and share great
content. Available on iOS and Android, Go90 is part of the
Verizon Communications family of companies. Built for the next
generation, Go90 brings together networks, distributors, creators,
audiences and brands to deliver great experiences for the next
generation. For more, check out Go90.com.
About AOL
AOL is a media technology company with a mission to connect
consumers and creators through open marketplaces. With
over 500 million monthly global consumers, AOL uses data to
disrupt content production, distribution and monetization. The
company connects publishers with advertisers across its global,
programmatic platforms, tapping into Microsoft inventory and
original content brands like TechCrunch, The Huffington Post and
MAKERS. Within its mobile advertising network alone, AOL has
a reach of roughly 800M users. A subsidiary of Verizon, AOL is
shaping the digital future.