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Chicago Auto Show Partners With Word of Mouth Marketing Association for a Fifth Year to Present the 2017 Driving Engagement Award

For a fifth consecutive year, the Chicago Auto Show has partnered with Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) to present the Driving Engagement Award to an auto manufacturer with the most outstanding social media campaign of the year. The Chicago Auto Show and WOMMA are encouraging auto brands and their agencies to submit contest entries via the Chicago Auto Show's website. Following the submission deadline of Jan. 20, a WOMMA panel of judges will review the entries and select three finalists. These three finalists will then be invited to participate in the Driving Engagement Award ceremony during the Chicago Auto Show's Media Preview.

"The intent of the Driving Engagement Award is to recognize and applaud auto manufacturers for harnessing the power of social media and, over the five-year partnership, the award process and ceremony has really become a staple of the Chicago Auto Show's Social Media Preview," said Chicago Auto Show Chairman Mike McGrath. "With Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Snapchat channels, Chicago is home to the nation's most socially connected auto show and we understand and value the impact that has in terms of leveraging a massive consumer audience. Our strategic partnership with WOMMA allows us to spread the word far and wide on how automakers successfully connect with their customers on their terms."

"By acknowledging excellence in how leading automotive brands 'drive engagement' with their consumers, we aim to celebrate the most creative and effective social media and word of mouth marketing campaigns of the past year," said Executive Vice President of WOMMA Harvey Morris. "Ultimately, we wish to inspire all automotive brands to put into practice credible, ethical and effective best-in-class word of mouth marketing initiatives that engages consumers even further."

Honda won the inaugural award in 2013 for its Monsters Calling Home YouTube campaign. In 2014, Hyundai took home the award for the Walking Dead Chop Show campaign where its purpose was to expand the conversation around Hyundai vehicles with a young and passionate audience. Honda was on top again in 2015 for its campaign titled April Fools' Fit Kit which poked fun at the maker community on April Fools' Day with the first DIY vehicle people can build at home. Last year, Toyota won with its Family Trails campaign that aimed to empower families to learn together through exploration and adventure.

Social media campaigns can be submitted now via https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/media/2017-womma-award through Jan. 20. The three finalists will be notified shortly after the submission deadline, and the winning automaker will be invited to prepare a brief presentation regarding the campaign strategy and measurable success during the Driving Engagement Award ceremony during the Chicago Auto Show's Media Preview.

For more information on the 2017 Chicago Auto Show, please visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.

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