BFGoodrich went live this week with its new Nation of GO website (www.NationofGO.com). Nation of Go is a new way for auto and 4x4 enthusiasts to trace the roads and trails traveled by other like-minded enthusiasts. It also offers a wealth of cool features that allow you upload your own adventures and map and plot new trips for others to follow. Check out the official release below.
BFGoodrich Tires Celebrates the Thrill of GO with an Online Community
for Auto Enthusiasts
The Nation of GO is now live at NationofGO.com-
GREENVILLE, S.C., September 16, 2009 – BFGoodrich Tires announced today an action-packed online gathering place for those who live for the thrill of the drive. The place is NationofGO.com, and its purpose is to provide an online community where people with a passion for driving can celebrate and share what they love to do best. While there are many different types of automotive enthusiasts, some who live for the trail, others who live for the road, all are driven by the same thing – a passion for GO. Created for enthusiasts by enthusiasts, BFGoodrich Tires took all of the action of auto and housed it all under one roof at NationofGO.com.
After all, GO is a lifestyle, a thirst, an addiction – it’s a passion for getting behind the wheel. The Nation of GO allows members to create driver profiles; map roads, tracks and trails; upload photos and videos; post blogs and events; start discussions on forums and follow pro drivers. It’s a community that enables members to connect with others who share a common passion.
“BFGoodrich is all about GO, so that’s how we’ve geared the site,” said Tom Jupena, brand communications manager for BFGoodrich Tires. “The Nation of GO is a social network offering innovative tools to help people ‘Drive. Connect. Share.’ It’s about doing what you love, and sharing your experiences through pictures, maps, videos and conversation. Among other innovations, the Nation of GO combines Google Maps with our own mobile mapping application to make plotting your favorite roads and trails easy. We haven’t built a site for everyone. We’ve built a site for everyone who shares this passion.”
Along with the launch of NationofGO.com, BFGoodrich Tires has embarked on a social networking initiative with the Nation of GO Tour. The tour will travel the country to drive awareness, and along the way, post pictures and videos and share stories about the journey. Nation of GO members can follow the tour online by visiting the Nation of GO site, the Nation of GO Tour blog (blog.nationofgo.com), Twitter (twitter.com/nationofgo) and YouTube (youtube.com/nationofgo).
“It’s the essence of the Nation of GO mission,” says Jupena. “We’re no longer strictly talking to the consumer in a traditional marketing sense. We’re encouraging conversations and providing a fun place for them to happen.”
Features of NationofGO.com include:
Build a Profile to Show How You GO
Each member has the ability to share their unique take on GO. They can upload photos and videos, tell the community a bit about themselves and their driving interests, create blog posts and share insights on events. Members can also follow other drivers and groups who share their interests. These groups include BFG-sponsored teams and drivers such as drift champion Samuel Hubinette, 2009 King of the Hammers winner, Jason Scherer and 2009 King of the Hammers runner up, Casey Currie.
Create and Share Drives to Show Where You GO
One of the top features of the site is the ability to recreate a drive. Users can plot drive points along the map by drawing with their mouse, inputting gpx or usr files, latitude and longitude coordinates, or uploading them straight from a mobile device. Once a drive is created, photos and videos can be placed to specific points along the drive, as well as custom notes to inform other users of suggestions or tips about the drive. This tool allows enthusiasts to track driving experiences as well as provide other drivers with the ability to discover new ones. It’s the ultimate way to find and share your GO.
Web Forums to Talk About GO
In the Nation of GO web forums, enthusiasts can discuss a range of topics from favorite racing series to the best equipment for Baja or Thunderhill. They can explore tips from friends and professional drivers, connect with members of your local community and discuss the latest in the world of automotive racing.
Nation of GO Mobile Application to Take GO Where You GO
The free Nation of GO mobile app allows members to track a drive and take geotagged photos that can be uploaded in real-time with just the click of a button, creating a seamless connection between the real world and the community. The application is available for download on the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS and the Blackberry Curve 8310 and 8330.
The Martin Agency, a Virginia-based advertising agency, led the creative and assembled a dream team for the development of the Web site. Odopod, a digital agency, led the development of the online community. Every Trail was responsible for the mapping services and iPhone application, while Pluck handled the community services.
Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 30 years, BFGoodrich Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally, and extreme rock-crawling. BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle. Visit BFGoodrich Tires online at www.bfgoodrichtires.com.