Ford has done an outstanding job with its most recent (as far as I can tell) online campaign. The company enabled its Formula D driver Vaughn Gittin by supplying a 2010 model year Mustang (with Ford Racing goodies) and sending Gittin to Japan to interact with local drivers, put the Mustang through it’s paces on original drifting courses and show off a very composed and compelling sports car. I first came in contact with the project via the automotive blog Speedhunters.com.

It is no wonder Ford is continuing to put distance between itself and its domestic brethren, even in the most dire economic times. Rather than another online community, application (see here, here and here) or lame widget (here) Ford has enabled an enthusiastic brand ambassador to tell an original and authentic story. This is the future of automotive marketing; enabling ambassadors to talk directly with enthusiasts about the vehicles they are passionate about. Bravo Ford, continue to enable your biggest advocates utilizing new means and you will reap the benefits.

Follow the project on Twitter, Gittin’s personal YouTube channel as well as an official Ford Mustang channel. Below are two of my favorite videos Gittin has posted from Japan.

Gittin discusses the modifications to his 2010 Mustang:

The locals take in the sights and sounds from the cockpit of the Mustang:

Tonight I am heading down to The Agency in Portland to check out Social Media Club PDX. If you are in the Portland area send me a Tweet or email (blaircook -at- gmail.com) if you plan to check it out.

The folks over at OTBC have put together a mini job fair. Set for this Saturday in Beaverton, Oregon the event promises to be a great one for job seekers and employers alike. So if you are in need of work, or in the position to hire be sure to head down to the Round on Saturday from 12-3pm. Hit the read link to learn more about the event. READ Upcoming Link

I was amazed this morning when I checked in on CES tweets and discovered the Boxee teams really creative way of staffing their CES presence this year. They have set up a contest among their users - the winners will receive airfare to Vegas and hotel accommodations for the week in exchange for a few hours of evangelizing a product they already use. Kudos to Boxee for finding a smart way to include their users and in the process bring fresh energy to CES.

Being a Boxee user myself I would certainly submit a video to the Boxee team if I wasn’t already traveling to CES with my own client responsibilities. Great job Boxee and I hope I can find time to stop by and say hello at CES.

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Next week I will be traveling to the Las Vegas mega-show CES for client work. This is my first time attending CES although I have watched from the internet sidelines for many years.

What do you think this year’s must see booth will be? Personally not much has come across my radar that I am really looking forward to (last year it would have been the Intel F1 car demonstration), other than the chance to see the National Championship in 3D on Thursday night. Leave me a comment if there is something interesting that I should make it a point to check out.

photo credit: Hometown Invasion Tour