Shawn Lollie, Multicultural Marketing Manager for Ford was a delight to interview. Her energy was high and her passion to help the African American community was awesome. She was very excited about Ford partnering again with Tom Joyner Foundation and supporting HBCU!

ChristieOhh: What are the details of your position as Manager of Multicultural Marketing for Ford?

Ford: My main objective is to increase brand awareness in the African America community.

ChristieOhh: How do you come up with your marketing strategies for Ford?

Ford: Conducting research, attending events, asking consumers questions all these things help us determine what productswe should support.

ChristieOhh: What is Ford’s goal by partnering with Tom Joyner’s Foundation?

Ford: Our main goalis to support the African American community in education and not only to showcase our new products butto reward our consumers by giving away an all- new 2013Ford Escape along with other cool prizes.

ChristieOhh: What made Ford decide to actually go on the cruise this year?

Ford: Last year we supported the Explorer. We feel this may be the perfect opportunity to give a sneak peek of the 2013 Ford Escape and will make people aware so they can run out and test drive and buy. We will have two Escape’s on pool decks. We will have our product specialist as well to give more details and discuss features. You can learn more about it on www.blackamericaweb.com or Ford’s urban site www.fordurban.com

ChristieOhh: How important is it that Ford support Historical Black Colleges and Universities?

Ford: Our brand promise is to “Go Further” not just through our products but our communities. What a better way to support in these communities where it’s needed the most. Ford has been supporting African American communities for 100 yrs it’s a part of who we are- it’s our DNA. Ford is a big supporter of HBCU’s!

ChristieOhh: What can we look forward to from Ford on the Tom Joyner cruise this year?

Ford: We have a special relationship with a company out of Atlanta called “Play Date.” They will helpbring the party aboard the ship withgames and activities like dance commands. Everythingis centeredon the community and the all-new 2013 Ford escape. Ford will also be giving away cool prizes like an Apple iPod Touch, iPad 3 or Visa Gift Card.

To top it off we are going to give away keys to a 2013 Ford Escape on the cruise. The contest will run 3/26 thru 4/6. I will go on the Tom Joyner Morning show to launch sweepstakes for cruise giveaway. If you didn’t get the opportunity to go on the cruise you can still enter. One of Tom’s listeners or cruise attendee’s will be getting an all- new 2013 Ford Escape.

“I would like to say going on the cruise ship allows us to party with a purpose. We understand through Tom’s foundation, African Americans are being educated. What better way to help then partner and support those that need it” Shawn Lollie, Ford Manager Multicultural Marketing.