Amid recession, Ford reaches employees on 10 platforms

From Webcasts to print, the automaker explains how the financial crisis affects employees of all stripes

Although the current recession is crippling the U.S. auto industry, Ford Motor Company is spreading a message of hope to the public and its employees.

“We want to remind employees that Ford is poised for success and tell them why at every possible moment,” Scott Monty, Ford’s global digital and multimedia communications, told Ragan.com.

Of America’s big three automakers, Ford appears best suited to survive this recession. Unlike General Motors and Chrysler, Ford is asking Congress for a line of credit that it will use only if auto sales hit new lows in 2009.

Of course, the economic news remains grim. And despite Ford’s message of hope, it hasn’t shied away from talking about the recession and its impact on the company. For instance, immediately after the automakers testified in Washington, D.C., a Ford vice president held a virtual chat with employees.

That virtual chat is just one of 10 platforms Ford communicators tap to spread the company’s message to both salaried staff and factory workers. Monty and Sara Tatchio, Ford’s head of internal communications, shared those platforms with Ragan.