Michelin's Innovative Social Media Hub Provides Real-time Access To North American International Auto Show 2012

GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Michelin launches a new digital tool to help journalists, bloggers and social media enthusiasts stay engaged with the very latest news from the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The tool, Michelin Media Live (www.live.michelinmedia.com), is an innovative communications platform designed to be an ongoing resource for media and a place for automotive enthusiasts to engage. As the sole tire maker attending the event, Michelin is uniquely positioned to offer live event coverage including exclusive content, news and information. 

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Beginning with press days at NAIAS (Jan. 9-10), Michelin Media Live will post high-resolution photographs from the show floor, 360-degree auto videos (b-roll format), real-time conversations and news. In addition, Michelin Media Live will maintain a running list of all vehicle unveilings as they occur and feature a section that looks at the show through the eyes of the Michelin Man, one of the world's most beloved brand icons.

Michelin Media Live employs YouTube, Flickr, Twitter and Facebook to publish up-to-the-moment news and information. Journalists covering NAIAS 2012 are encouraged to use the hashtag #NAIAS when posting stories and comments regarding the show on Twitter. A sampling of these tweets will be incorporated into a Twitter feed that allows the media and enthusiasts to follow the conversation and engage.

"The social media sphere is constantly evolving, so it is essential that we provide innovative ways to engage with the brand," said Edna Johnson, vice president communication and brands, Michelin North America. "With this tool, we are able to stretch beyond traditional social media capabilities and offer a comprehensive, minute-by-minute look at one of the most celebrated automotive events in the world."

Michelin Media Live is more than just a content-management system. It is a comprehensive, interactive site designed to capture news and information from one of the largest news-making events in the automotive industry. The site's tagline, "If It's Happening, It's Here" summarizes the goal to provide users with live, real-time content from NAIAS 2012 daily.

"As a proud partner of NAIAS for 24 years, we have long recognized the importance of the news and information being generated in Detroit, and now Michelin Media Live provides an innovative way for that content to be accessed and shared," added Johnson.

Michelin Media Live (www.live.michelinmedia.com), which is also optimized for mobile devices, begins coverage of NAIAS 2012 on Jan. 9 with live updates on Jan. 9 and 10. The site will remain live through the show's end on Jan. 22.

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks and motorcycles. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelinman.com) employs more than 22,200 and operates 18 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.

SOURCE Michelin