Lincoln Has New Celeb Endorser: Common†

Rapper Replaces Magic Johnson as Brand Eyes Younger Consumers

Advertising Age, November 13, 2007 — DETROIT (AdAge.com) — Goodbye, Magic Johnson. Hello Common.

Ford says Grammy winner Common appeals to consumers in their late 20s to mid 30s.

Lincoln has ended its three-year relationship with NBA-star-turned entrepreneur and teamed with hip-hop artist Common to reach African Americans. In a deal announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Ford Motor Co. said the celeb will mainly plug the Lincoln Navigator luxury SUV in ads across a variety of media, at events and online.

Ford Debuts Next Iteration Of 'American Dreams' For Lincoln

MediaPost Publications, October 15, 2007 — FORD'S LINCOLN DIVISION, WHICH HAS posted 12 months of sales gains, is launching the next iteration of its year-old "American Dreams" campaign with two new TV spots--one of which broke on Sunday evening on NFL broadcasts on NBC--and a raft of product-centered advertising later this fall.

One of the ads features singer and actor Harry Connick, Jr. and the other features triathlete Sarah Reinertsen. In the former, which debuted Sunday night, Connick drives a Lincoln MKX through his old neighborhood in New Orleans, on his way to a party of musicians celebrating Habitat for Humanity's Music Village housing project, in which he is involved.