Taylor Hicks Performs Song for Ford Motor Co. Advertising Campaign 6/22/06

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American Idol Taylor Hicks Performs Song From Michigan Company Harvest Music + Sound Design wrote music, lyrics for National Ford Campaign - Hicks' First Endorsement

LANSING, Mich., June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- A Lansing, Michigan, business, which calls itself "a company of possibilities," is enjoying its share of national attention thanks to a new Ford Motor Company advertising campaign featuring the spirited performance of American Idol winner Taylor Hicks.

Harvest Music + Sound Design, a 24-year producer of original music for advertising campaigns, was selected by ad agency J Walter Thompson/Detroit (JWT) and its client Ford Motor Company after it submitted music for a new national radio and television campaign, which began airing last Thursday. The song, "Possibilities," was developed by Harvest creative team members Steve Curran, Mark Miller and Julie Magsig, who wrote both the lyrics and music for the Memphis-infused "Soul Patrol" anthem.

"For us, 'Possibilities' is about embracing life head-on and with confidence, and creating a space for great things to happen," says Curran. "That's exactly what Ford is doing through the versatility of its brand and all it offers."

The theme of the new Ford campaign, "Bold Moves," was also developed on behalf of the automaker by JWT/Detroit. For the "Possibilities" television spot, Hicks is in the spotlight cutting loose and dancing with his signature style on an American Idol-like, futuristic set surrounded by giant TV screens with images of Ford vehicles.

"'Possibilities' has a great vibe, and is a blast to dance to," says Hicks. "I'm thrilled to be given a chance to perform it as part of the Ford Motor Company family."

Writer Julie Magsig says that Harvest teamed up with brothers Scott and Roger Wojahn (Wojahn Bros. Music) to create a last minute "Memphis Soul" arrangement of the song for the newly crowned Hicks. "These guys are terrific. They produce the weekly Ford spots that appear in American Idol and work with each of them for nearly 20 weeks, so they know exactly what they can do." The music was recorded at the legendary Village Recorder Studios in Los Angeles.

"It's been an exciting and fulfilling experience to work with the creative team at JWT/Detroit, and our fellow producers, production people, and musicians in Los Angeles," says Harvest co-founder Mark Miller. "Everyone was committed to making this great, and Taylor certainly delivered." Miller, who says the company is no stranger to well-known, national campaigns, adds that the song combined with Taylor's electricity made this a winning project for the entire team. "It was an uplifting, inspired experience," says Miller. "Everyone was excited about the song, and it was a blast to work with Taylor," who sang and starred in the spot.

The JWT/Detroit team includes Executive Creative Director, George Piliouras; Senior Creative Director, Mike Priebe; Senior Writer, Les Raebel; Director of Broadcast Production, Carole Gall; and Producer, Ken Dumm.

Harvest has also written other notable national work such as the current anthem, "Feel The Love" for The Bermuda Board of Tourism, Minute Maid, Lincoln-Mercury, La-Z-Boy, Gannett Newspapers (including The Detroit News), Chevrolet, Herman Miller, both film and CD projects for actor-musician Jeff Daniels, Meijer, Shoe Carnival, Nike, The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Mazda, United Way, Old Country Buffet, Audi and Big Lots.

The "Possibilities" TV spot is scheduled to run nationally through September 2006. It is available for viewing at http://www.harvestmusicandsound.com .

SOURCE Harvest Music + Sound Design

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