The ‘Ford Events’ contract to provide company and dealer event support for Ford has been awarded to the Automotive Management Services (AMS) business of Exel. Building on the work AMS currently manages for Ford within its fleet programme, the contract will include show support for major UK events both indoor and outdoor.
AMS will support the Ford Retail & Event Marketing Team providing event concepts and planning, project management, venue research and booking, equipment management and setup as well as on site resource to ensure a successful event is delivered. Ford dealers will be able to approach a dedicated ‘Ford Events’ team operated by Exel for support at their open days, customer events and county shows, offering a truly one-stop-shop to ensure the Ford brand is consistently communicated.
Colin Stokes, General Manager, Ford Marketing Programmes at Exel explains; It is essential that the Ford brand is always presented to customers and employees in the best possible light. By working in close collaboration, Ford and Exel will be able to ensure that the brand values are strengthened. As Exel works with different areas of the Ford business around the globe, including the fleet programme in the UK, we have a thorough understanding of the business and its requirements.
In addition, AMS is also co-ordinating the vehicle logistics support requirements for the Ford Brand Management Team. This includes vehicle preparation and delivery of vehicles to photo shoots, product launch events and drive appraisals, plus providing personnel to ensure vehicles are presented immaculately. The majority of this work will be managed from a new, purpose built site, specially designed to support the requirements of the new business, close to Ford’s offices at Brentwood.
Andy Nicholson, Manager of Retail & Event Marketing for Ford, concludes Ford is developing a strong relationship with Exel in the UK. We chose Exel to operate the ‘Ford Events’ programme, because of synergies with existing vehicle management services provided by Exel enabling us to create a cost effective one-stop-shop for exhibition activity and also because of the track record for quality service which Exel has established through other Ford programmes.
