Imagination Caps Off Ford's Auto Show Season with Most Interactive ...

, Imagination's Creative Lead for Ford in The Americas.  "The synergy between what consumers engage with here and Ford's latest innovations is clearly brought to life through live experiences and interactive displays that showcase new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products and technologies."

In order to bring visitors closer to Ford's industry-leading interactive driver connect smart technology, Imagination, Ford's global auto show experience partner, has designed dozens of hands-on, interactive museum-style exhibits to engage visitors.  The innovative experiences showcase specific vehicle features and technology by allowing visitors to explore actual components of the new offerings, play games and engage in interactive demonstrations.

"Today, people want to experience a brand's qualities first-hand and judge innovations for themselves," said Matt O'Mara, General Manager of Imagination.  "Rather than simply tell visitors about how Ford vehicles outpace the competition, we focused on letting visitors experience the Ford advantages in real-time."

Each of the exhibits is designed to help visitors better understand the design, technology and construction of Ford's vehicles, as well as create experiences that allow consumers to spend time with the Ford brand in a fun and engaging way.

For instance, to highlight the automaker's personalized, interactive driver connect touch screen MyLincoln Touch technology system and the all new Lincoln MKZ hybrid and Lincoln MKX, similar touch technology is used to create the most advanced multi-touch table ever used in an auto show.  A "photo studio"-inspired environment also allows visitors to engage with the all-new 2011 Edge in an environment where they can personalize their experience of the vehicle and the technology.

Other interactive highlights at the show include:

"In keeping with our auto show strategy, we focused on providing variety that speaks to a diverse audience and varied mindset, while maintaining continuity throughout the Ford presence," said Andrew Horberry, Strategy Director for Imagination.  " New York in particular has a highly discerning audience, and it was important for us to maintain a high level of interaction and engagement throughout the environment."

Added O'Mara, "Driving traffic and sales to dealers is a critical part of our task.  With that in mind, many of the experiences at the show allow visitors to opt-in, establish a dialog and be connected to Ford and/or local dealers."  

"As the last show of the season, this is an important place for Ford to deeply engage our customers and an opportunity for us to reward visitors with entertaining and richly informative experiences," said