Recently, in my
Automaker Social Mind Over Matter post, I talked about how 1.5% of stories/topics received most of the attention and accounted for 70% of the conversation on Social Bookmarking sites. For Ford a dozen or so bookmarked stories on Reddit and Digg made it into the 1.5% group. A few people have asked for some example stories that represent the 1.5%, so here are a couple:
The Secrets of Microsoft's Sync, story from Buisness Week"Microsoft has really changed the game with this product," says iSuppli's Robinson. "Most people aren't willing to pay $700 or $800 to put Bluetooth in their cars, and frankly in most cases it's not very good. This is a $400 system that connects to iPods and phones, and it works. It's going to have other manufacturers scratching their heads for a while."
The article received plenty of Microsoft bashing. It also received plenty of comments from fans who openly discussed how much they like the sync features. Overall this was a positive article for Ford with positive reaction from community.
Amazing Ford KA Commercial, TV commercial on YouTubeThis funny Spanish commercial demonstrating that the Ford KA car is very spacious, since it can hold so many people (okay food, you’ll have to watch it). Some mixed responses from people focused on the food. Looking at all the reactions it looks like they made a memorable ad campaign. An overall positive reaction to this funny/weird commercial.
Ford Fiesta Three Door Pictures And Details - To Be Called Fiesta For US Market, blog entry on Jalopnik (Gawker Media)Comments like “the quicker North America gets out of its 'big is better' phase the better.” and “If only Ford USA could apply the Euro or even Aussie styling to their hideous US line” are common and show a real passion for the designs. Almost all negative comments have been debated and overruled by the community. A few mentions of past recall issues with past models of the Fiesta. Overall a very positive reaction to the positive article.
Car owners are pirates if they distribute pictures of their own cars, blog entry on BoingBoing“You're a pirates if you distribute pics of your car… The folks at BMC (Black Mustang Club) automotive forum wanted to put together a calendar featuring members' cars, and print it through CafePress. Photos were submitted, the layout was set, and... CafePress notifies the site admin that pictures of Ford cars cannot be printed....
Trademark law is a tough nut to deal with, and this article stirred up lots of bad feelings towards Ford. This article is negative towards Ford and has a lot of people agreeing with it, so basically bad press for Ford.
