LONDON, June 20, 2000 (FCN) - Ford's new Spring/Summer Ka Collection will be painting the town red this summer, thanks to Ford of Britain's support of the London Mardi Gras 2000.

Mardi Gras 2000 Paints The Town Red With Ford Ka

"Internationally, Ford has been supporting gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender events and charities for many years," said John Mendel, director of Marketing, Ford Britain. "However, with the encouragement of our Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Employee Group (GLOBE), the company believed it was time to play a much more active role in Britain, hence this year's support for Mardi Gras 2000. 

"The Ford Ka is a car which has no boundaries; it likes the city and the open road, it is about inclusion not exclusion, and most importantly it's about having fun. A sharp mover like Ford Ka is perfect to paint the town red at London Mardi Gras." 

Jason Pollock, festival director, London Mardi Gras 2000 added: "Mardi Gras is the largest festival and gathering of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in the UK, where we come together with our families, friends and supporters to celebrate the uniqueness and diversity of our community. 

"It is a unique development for a motor manufacturer to be associated with Mardi Gras, and we are delighted that Ford took that first step to be part of this special day - London Mardi Gras 2000." 

London Mardi Gras 2000 takes place at Finsbury Park, London from noon until 10 p.m. Saturday, 1 July. The Gay Pride March is on the same day and commences at 11 a.m. from Hyde Park, London. 

WARLEY, July 07, 2000 (FCN) - The recent London Mardi Gras Festival was a perfect opportunity to raise the profile of Ford's Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Employee Resource Group, otherwise known as GLOBE.

The festival is a popular one; more than 100,000 partygoers attended an event which is becoming an important part of the summer festival calendar.

Supported by the KA marketing team, GLOBE had a position at the front of the colourful parade among other leading Gay and Lesbian community groups, driving three multi-coloured rainbow KA's.

"We believe that the London Mardi Gras was the perfect opportunity to show the Lesbian and Gay community that Ford has an active Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual resource group," said Daniel Valentine, development and public affairs co-ordinator for Ford Globe. "Ford were the only such company to be represented with vehicles in the parade, and we look forward to increasing our presence next year."

Ford has always supported GLOBE but this year wanted to take a more active approach.

Apart from joining the parade, Ford flew in world famous DJ Gee from Ibiza and recreated the well-known Bora Bora beach bar. With sand and palm trees included, the revellers danced the day away, DJ Gee leaving them screaming for more when the festival finally came to a close.

Ford also built a giant inflatable KA ramp, which flung willing participants down the slope inside a giant beach ball at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. The gay community is an important customer base for Ford in Europe, and the organizers of Mardi Gras were delighted that a large company such as Ford took the first step and got involved.

"Internationally, Ford has been supporting gay, lesbian and transgender events and charities for many years," said John Mendel, marketing director for Ford of Britain. "However, Ford believed it was time play a much more active role in Britain, hence this year's support for the London Mardi Gras. The Ford Ka has been particularly successful in the gay community, and by bringing Bora Bora in Ibiza to Mardi Gras we are reflecting the Ford Ka spirit of fun and enjoyment."