Thursday, October 29, 2015

Mazda Announces NBCUniversal Partnership for 2015 Nonprofit Contest One Charity Will Win $30,000 In-Kind Contribution to Support Their Special Cause


Do you know of an organization or individual that is helping their community and could benefit from increased awareness and a donation to help boost their efforts? Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) and NBCUniversal have again partnered for the 2015 Mazda Drive for Good® program to help one lucky nonprofit with an in-kind contribution in the form of goods and services valued at $30,000 in other marketing materials. All Viewers can nominate others involved in nonprofits[1] for this year’s Mazda Drive for Good community charity contest beginning October 14 and ending October 28, 2015, and submit their story via http://www.nbc.com/christmas-in-rockefeller-center/mazda-drive-4-good.
“We build cars the way we do because we believe driving matters. We developed Mazda Drive for Good because we believe giving back to our local communities matters,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. “The continued partnership with NBCUniversal gives Mazda Drive for Good a louder voice. Together, we hope to make a positive impact on more people.”
"Our longstanding partnership with Mazda around their Drive for Good initiative shines a light on important local philanthropic initiatives nationwide, and we’re excited to empower communities to tell their stories just like we do every day,” said Alison Tarrant, Executive Vice President, Client Solutions Group, NBCUniversal. "Together with Mazda, we are harnessing the power of branded content to reach our viewers throughout the holiday season to highlight this important cause."
The partnership will span across NBCUniversal’s broadcast, cable and digital networks with calls for nominations featuring actress, Academy Award® nominee and philanthropist, Minnie Driver. Viewers will be encouraged to nominate themselves through an online contest where they can tell their story and why their community needs assistance. Click here to learn about last year’s recipient 3B Braeden's Brown Bags.
The selected organization representative will be notified of the award by Driver through a surprise in-person appearance.  The organization representatives will attend NBC’s annual Rockefeller Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center on December 2 to be recognized for their award and good deeds.
“Mazda Drive for Good isn’t just about giving monetarily or volunteering,” added O’Sullivan. ”One of the most impactful ways we contribute to our charity partners is growing awareness through great partnerships like the one we have with NBCUniversal.”
The Mazda Drive for Good winter event is in its third year of fundraising and in 2015 Mazda will continue its donation of $150 per new Mazda sold or leased between November 23, 2015 and January 4, 2016. Over the last two years, Mazda has donated more than $7.9M to charity. While monetary giving is always important, Mazda believes its biggest contribution is its volunteering. Every test drive of a new Mazda taken throughout the same time period triggers a pledge by Mazda of one hour of charitable service to be paid back in 2016. Over the last two years, Mazda has helped local charities by donating over 120,000 volunteer hours through its corporate, dealer and partner employees.
Mazda is committed to helping this community through monetary donation and volunteer service, and again will work with four national charities and more than 40 local charities, all of which will be announced at a later date. Follow the conversation at #MazdaDrive4Good or InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Drive4Good.


[1] All entries must include a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (“Charity”). Employees of a Charity are eligible to be nominated.
Contact:        
Nick Beard, Mazda North American Operations, (949) 727-6567
Eric Booth, Mazda North American Operations, (949) 727-6144
Ally Federbush, NBCUniversal, (212) 664-2865

Monday, October 26, 2015

Mazda Announces 2015 Mazda Road to 24 Shootout Finalists Nine Racers Seeking $100,000 Mazda Scholarship for 2016 MX-5 Cup


IRVINE, Calif. (October 20, 2015) – Finalists have been announced for the 2015 Mazda Road to 24 Shootout. This is the single-largest prize in grassroots motorsports. Launched in 2006 as the Mazda Club Racer shootout, the Mazda Road to 24 Shootout has annually promoted one talented club racer into the professional ranks. The $100,000 scholarship package supports a drive in the 2016 Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup. For 2016, this will be in the all-new Global MX-5 Cup car, which  went on sale on October 1.  

John Doonan, director of Mazda Motorsports, noted: “The nine finalists in this shootout are all highly competitive. The fact that the judges identified nine outstanding racers, from the 23 eligible, shows the tremendous depth of talent we are working with today. Mazda is so proud to offer this prize to our grassroots racers and customers; there is simply nothing like it in the world.”
The shootout will take place at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC, on November 8-10. The racers will be tested on the track for their driving skills, and in the garage for their technical understanding of the sport.
The aspiring professional racer who wins the prize will have the best range of skills required to succeed. These skills include speed, consistency, race craft, technical feedback and off-track business, marketing and PR skills.
Additional information about the Mazda Road to 24 shootout, and 2016 MX-5 Cup race car, can be found at www.mazdamotorsports.com Mazda Motorsports will be providing live social updates from the Carolina Motorsports Park event on Twitter at @mazdaracing and with hashtag  #MRT24.
Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers.  Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.  For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.
Contact:
Dean Case, Mazda Motorsports (310) 318-4582    Mazdaspeed@MazdaUSA.com
Jade Gurss, Mazda Motorsports (317) 517-4121    MazdaMotorsports@icloud.com

Thursday, October 22, 2015

National Teen Driver Safety Week October 18-24, 2015



Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 14-18 year olds in the US. In fact, in 2013, there were 2,614 teen (15-19 year old) passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes and an estimated 130,000 were injured. Yet, a recent survey shows that only 25% of parents have had a serious talk with their kids about the key components of driving. Parents need to take the time to talk with their kids about the many dangers of driving. Those dangers include alcohol, seat belts, texting, speeding, and extra passengers.
Even if you think they don't hear you, they do. Remember, the "5 to Drive" – Set the Rules Before They Hit the Road. 

  1. Distracted Driving 
  2. Extra Passengers
  3. Speeding
  4. Alcohol
  5. Seat Belts
Teen Driving
Your teen sees a driver's license as a step toward freedom, but you might not be sure your teen is ready for the road. One thing is certain: teens aren't ready to have the same level of driving responsibility as older adults. Teen drivers have more fatal crashes, mainly because of their immaturity and lack of experience. They speed, they make mistakes, and they get distracted easily - especially if their friends are in the car. To help your teen stay safe behind the wheel, 46 States and the District of Columbia now have graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs that limit high-risk driving situations for new drivers. These programs can reduce your teen's crash risk by as much as 50 percent.

What Can You Do? 

Learn about your State's GDL program, if there is one. Know the restrictions placed on your teen's license and enforce those limits. Even if your state doesn't have an official program, you can lay some important ground rules for your teen driver. Restrict night driving and passengers, prohibit driving while on the phone, and require seat belt use at all times.
Be a good role model. Remember that your child looks to you as a driver, so practice safe driving yourself. Set aside time to take your teen on practice driving sessions. It can be a great way to spend time together and to allow your teen to improve some basic driving skills. Your teen's learning starts at home.
Don't rely solely on a driver's education class to teach your teen to drive. Remember that driver's education should be used as just part of a GDL program.
Bottom Line:

You have more influence on your teen than you may think.
Get Involved

NHTSA and its many highway safety partners across the country are encouraging you to get the facts and start the conversations-this week and every week-to talk it out with your teens and help keep them safe behind the wheel.

Check out our materials to help you talk it out with your teens and Set the Rules Before They Hit the Road.