Hip-Hop Superstar Nelly Set to Sign AutogRaphs And Show Off His Customized Ford Flex During Ford Fan Experience
• Celebrity Customizer Funkmaster Flex will unveil a tricked out 2010 Fusion Sport at the 2009 CIAA.
• Hip-Hop Superstar Nelly makes his first trip to the CIAA and will sign autogRaphs and show off his 2009 “Nelly-Flex” within the Ford booth on Saturday, February 28.
• Ford set to give away the keys to an all-new 2010 Fusion Sport to one CIAA fan in addition to providing scholarships during the Men’s Championship Game on Saturday, February 28
CHARLOTTE, Feb. 24, 2009–Ford is heading into the 2009 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Basketball Tournament with customized cars, superstars and a weekend full of fun. For the first time since its relationship began with the CIAA, Ford is unveiling a custom vehicle at the tournament in addition to providing an opportunity for CIAA fans to meet Hip-Hop Superstar Nelly who will be making his first trip to the CIAA.
The customized 2010 Ford Fusion Sport is the latest design interpretation by Funkmaster Flex who since 2005 has been lending his creative muscle to Ford on such vehicles as the 2009 Ford Flex, 2009 Ford Focus, 2008 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition and most recently a 2009 Ford Flex customized for Hip-Hop Heavyweight Nelly.
The two-tone, tricked out vehicle will be unveiled to CIAA Fans for the first time on Friday, February 27 at 10:30 a.m. inside the Charlotte Convention Center. Nephew Tommy of The Steve Harvey Morning Show will be a part of the reveal with Funkmaster Flex.
In addition, CIAA fans will have the chance to meet Hip-Hop Superstar Nelly during the Ford Fan Experience on Saturday, February 28 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. During this time, Nelly will be signing autogRaphs and Ford will also be raffling off tickets to Nelly’s exclusive CIAA After-Party.
As part of the weekend fun, six lucky CIAA fans will have a crack at unlocking the doors to a hot new 2010 Fusion Sport during halftime of the Ford Men’s Finals on Saturday, February 28. During Ford’s Finals Night, each of the contestants will take their turn at unlocking the vehicle in the Concourse of the Time Warner Cable Arena as part of Ford’s Fusion Fantastic Giveaway. Each contestant will randomly pull one key from a set of six keys to see which has the winning key that will start the Fusion Sport. Funkmaster Flex and Nelly will both be on-hand for the giveaway.
As part of Ford’s 8th year of support of the CIAA, the company will continue to play an instrumental role in improving the academic outlook for CIAA students by awarding over $100,000 in scholarships and providing a chance to win this hot new vehicle that gets 41 miles to the gallon.
“Providing opportunity is at the root of Ford’s DNA,” said Crystal Worthem, Ford & Lincoln Sponsorships & Diverse Markets Manager. “Ford continues to provide scholarships and supports the CIAA each year because of the role that the association plays in increasing the chances for educational improvement and opportunity within the African American community. By partnering with the CIAA, Ford is continuing to play its part in ensuring that students receive a quality education and we’re excited about being able to team up with the CIAA on this effort again this year.”
Furthermore, to be able to bring Nelly down to the CIAA and show off his customized Ford Flex is something that we are extremely excited about said Worthem. “The “Nelly-Flex” caused quite a bit of buzz when we unveiled it last November at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.”This is truly one of those head-turning vehicles and we’re excited to be able to have it and Nelly with us at the CIAA.
Ford’s activities will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center on Feb. 26-28 at the free CIAA Ford Fan Experience. Ford will have on display some of its hottest products including the new 2010 Fusion Hybrid, 2010 Fusion Sport Customized by Funkmaster Flex, 2009 Ford Flex and 2009 Ford Flex customized for Nelly. In addition, Ford will treat fans to various activities like the interactive games, opportunities to win tickets to Nelly’s exclusive After-Party and the chance to meet Nephew Tommy of the Steve Harvey Morning Show. Ford will also be bringing R&B Superstar Robin Thicke and Hip-Hop‘s own Mims to the Ford booth for autogRaph signings. Also, for the first time, Funkmaster Flex will be kicking off his 2009 Custom Car & Bike Show Tour that will include some of Flex’s custom car collection in addition to custom cars from local residents. The show will conclude with the car show being judged by Funkmaster Flex.
“For us, it’s about bringing an experience to town that will be remembered for years to come,” said Worthem. “The cars, the interactive displays, the chance to win a vehicle and the excitement from the fans are part of what makes this event such a home run. You have fans, families and friends from all over coming together for such a huge event. It’s definitely about the fun of it all said Worthem. “We at Ford hope we’re bringing that message of fun to Charlotte. We have cars that are fun to drive, giveaways that are fun to receive and interactive displays that are fun. At the end of the day, it’s about the fun,” said Worthem.”
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