In a bid to provide an additional channel of communication with retailers and consumers, Maxxis Tyres (UK) has turned its attention to the social media scene. The tyre maker has set up a Facebook page to raise its profile and enable everyone associated with the company to keep up to date with latest developments, particularly in relation to its sponsorship deals and promotional activities in support of the performance/tuning market.
Kumho Tire USA says it will increase marketing efforts on major social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to reach current and future Kumho enthusiasts. The Kumho Tire page on Facebook allows fans to get updates on upcoming new products, insights on Kumho's motorsports activities and drivers, and exclusive access to contests and giveaways. "Many of our loyal fans are already active users of Facebook and other social media sites so it was just a natural extension for Kumho to join and be a member of this thriving community," commented Rick Brennan, Kumho's vice president of Marketing.
A rally is to take place at Donington Race Track on Sunday 7 March, 2010 in an attempt to secure the Castle Donington facility’s future. The Facebook group behind the rally, set up by schoolteacher and racing fan Lee Coombs, has nearly 12,000 members, meaning the rally has a good chance of a high attendance – the latest estimate being 10,000 attendees, according to Derby’s Evening Telegraph. The event will be attended by the current owner Kevin Wheatcroft, who is said to be in talks with several potential investors keen to restart racing at the venue. Wheatcroft will attend the event, a source told Tyrepress.com, at which he is expected to make an announcement about Donnington’s future.
The German based XING business network can be likened to a corporate Facebook, and over eight million members are already using the website to manage their business contacts. The service is very popular in German speaking regions, and to capitalise on this Continental AG has begun a one-year XING trial.
The top ten finalists have been selected in the 2009 Bridgestone Americas Safety Scholars video contest, and now consumers get their chance to vote. The national competition challenges 16- to 21-year-old drivers to create short videos about automotive safety or making eco-conscious decisions when operating a vehicle. The finalists were selected by a panel of judges from 817 entries received by Bridgestone Americas.
The top ten videos are now posted at safetyscholars.com for online voting until 3 August. Votes will determine the three grand prize winners who will be announced on 10 August. Finalists’ videos are also available for viewing on social networking sites including Facebook, YouTube and MySpace. The grand prize winners will receive a $5,000 scholarship and a set of new Bridgestone or Firestone tyres, and their winning videos may be used on TV stations nationwide as part of a public service announcement campaign. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continental’s redesign of its ContiSoccerWorld.com website has been completed just in time for the opening kick-off at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 in South Africa. The football site that was first launched in 2005 is now online with a new layout that offers not just background reports on South Africa and the players, teams and coaches in the worldwide qualification matches, but also statistics, attractive competitions and interactive content. Conti adds that, thanks to a content cooperation with the “sid” sport information service, the site will remain up-to-date.
The mid-June US market launch of Michelin’s Energy Saver A/S passenger car tyre range will not only be supported by traditional media campaigns – in order to take a more aggressive digital and social media communications approach, the manufacturer is launching its first Facebook application: Michelin Life Balance.
“Michelin Life Balance allows us to digitally interact with consumers by providing them an opportunity to express who they are,” said Jennifer Smith, digital communications manager at Michelin North America.
Toyo Tire USA has launched an all-new Web site – www.toyotires.com. Calling the move the “biggest facelift to date for the company’s online presence,” the revamped website is more user friendly and more complete than the previous version, Toyo stated.
The site features new graphics, more detailed information on Toyo tire products, a tyre finder feature to allow consumers to select the right tyre for their needs (either OE sizing or plus sizing), inflation pressure data for thousands of vehicles, and a comprehensive dealer locator service.
To encourage sharing of information on the website, a brand new “share this” feature is located on every page. Using it, a person can easily post a link back to a page on sites such as Facebook, Digg, Redditt, MySpace and Twitter. They can also share the link in an email, Toyo said. (Tire Review/Akron)
The population of Britain is in danger of losing skills that have long been considered vital, including sewing, DIY and changing a tyre, according to a poll conducted by the website Ask.com.
The survey says that, while particularly under-30 year olds are acquiring essential abilities such as setting up a profile on Facebook more easily than previous generations, that age demographic is also the one least likely to be able to change its cars’ rubber. The problem is not merely confined to the younger generation; only just under half of all Britons would struggle to change the tyre on a pushbike, let alone a motorised vehicle. Though the survey revealed that illegally downloading films and music would represent a comparatively small challenge for many, it did not go into how many know the correct method for sitting on a toilet seat.
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