If your ultimate dream is a new Volvo S60 R-Design, visit www.journeytothewedding.com and play to win the car and a trip to Brazil!

Check out more below.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Volvo Sends Albany Resident to “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” World Premiere in Los Angeles

Brandy Hogan, who won Volvo’s “What Would You Wear?” Facebook contest, to be among the first to see the highly anticipated film

Fans can still enter to play “Journey to the Wedding” for a chance to win a Brazilian getaway and a Volvo S60 R-Design at www.JourneytotheWedding.com

ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (Nov. 8, 2011) ­­–“The Twilight Saga” will come to life for Brandy Beaudoin-Hogan, 26, of Latham, N.Y., when she attends Summit Entertainment’s “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” world premiere in Los Angeles on November 14. Hogan was the winner of Volvo’s “What Would You Wear?” Facebook contest.

Out of almost 1,700 photo submissions, Hogan’s photo received the most votes on Volvo’s Facebook page. Hogan spent an entire day choosing the perfect outfit to wear to Edward and Bella’s wedding. She chose a purple, one shoulder ruffle dress, with silver stilettos, purple drop earrings, a silver clutch and diamond bracelet because it’s “exactly what she would wear” if she was invited to the wedding of the century. She chose purple because it invokes romance, magic and mystery.

“When I got the call that I won, I couldn’t even breathe I was so excited,” said Hogan. “I’m so thankful to Volvo and everyone involved with Twilight because attending the world premiere and having a chance to meet Rob is my ultimate dream. I am truly Rob’s biggest fan and I live, breathe and talk about Twilight 24/7. I’ve never been to L.A. and am ecstatic to be given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Hogan continued, “My husband, Dan, thinks I’m obsessed because I recite quotes from the films constantly and even wore a necklace and earrings inspired by Twilight at my wedding.”

Hogan, a medical transcriptionist at The Plastic Surgery Group in Albany, also pens a Twilight blog at www.addicted2twilight11.blogspot.com, and regularly hosts Twilight-themed parties before every premiere.

From October 15-23, individuals visited Volvo’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/VolvocarsUS) to upload a photo or drawing of what they would wear to Edward and Bella’s wedding for a chance to win tickets to the world premiere. In addition to premiere tickets, Volvo will also provide the sweepstakes winner and her younger sister, Nicolette Boston, 18, of East Greenbush, N.Y., with round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, and $500 in spending money. Hogan chose to bring her sister because she got her interested in “The Twilight Saga.”

Volvo’s ticket giveaway to the premiere is just one of the grand prizes being awarded by Volvo as part of its online promotions developed by Euro RSCG New York surrounding the fourth installment of “The Twilight Saga.”

Through November 18, participants can also register to play Volvo’s online game, “Journey to the Wedding,” for a chance to win a trip for two to Rio de Janeiro, which includes a stay in the same luxurious house where Edward and Bella spent their honeymoon. The lucky winner will also take home the actual 325-horsepower Volvo S60 R-Design that Edward drove in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1.” With a perfect marriage of style and substance, Volvo’s S60 R-Design features best-in-class acceleration, performance and fuel efficiency, making it Volvo’s most dynamic and sporty model.

How Volvo’s “Journey to the Wedding” Game Works

Players (ages 13 and up) can register at www.JourneytotheWedding.com through November 18 to play the interactive game. In the game, fans make their way to the wedding of Edward and Bella by completing a series of three challenges. The player who finishes the final challenge in the shortest amount of time will win the game. Volvo will announce the winner on or around November 28.

In addition to the game, fans will want to visit the website’s online photo gallery for photos of Edward and Bella and learn more about Edward’s Volvos, including the Volvo C30, Volvo XC60, and Volvo S60. For complete details, and to learn more about the game, fans should visit Volvo’s Facebook page and Twitter account.

Fans who don’t win the online game but still want their own Volvo S60 R-Design can visit a local Volvo retailer or go to http://www.volvocars.com/us/all-cars/volvo-s60/Pages/default.aspx to build their own. Edward’s S60 T6 R-Design is all-wheel drive with an automatic transmission and features Saville Grey metallic exterior, off-black leather interior, 18-inch diamond-cut Xion alloy wheels, sport chassis, active dual Xenon headlights, rear spoiler, climate package, multimedia package, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) and keyless drive.

The next chapter of “The Twilight Saga” will be released as two separate films with the first of the two – “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” – slated to be released in theatres on November 18, 2011, and the second coming to theatres on November 16, 2012. Academy Award® winner Bill Condon directed both films starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. In “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” Bella (Stewart) and Edward (Pattinson), plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage and honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of a child… which brings an unforeseen and shocking development for Jacob Black (Lautner). With more of the romance, passion, intrigue and action that made “Twilight,” “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” worldwide blockbusters, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” based on Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling book series, begins the conclusion of the tale of vampire love, boundless friendship, acceptance, and finding your true self. The project, based on the fourth novel in author Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, is written by Melissa Rosenberg with Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt and Stephenie Meyer producing.

About Volvo

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, (www.volvocars.com/us) is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden. VCNA provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees Volvo operations in Canada. For more information please refer to the VCNA media website at: http://www.volvocars-pr.com, and follow Volvo’s blog at: www.volvoblog.us.

About Summit Entertainment, LLC

Summit Entertainment, LLC is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures.  Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product.  Summit Entertainment, LLC releases on average 10 to 12 films annually.

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I doubt Bram Stoker ever thought his 1897 tale of Dracula would lead to today’s vampire obsession. But, like any good story, he took our worst fears and penned something more gruesome. Maybe he was the Stephen King of his day. Well, a good story never gets buried, destroyed with a wooden stake, killed with Holy water and garlic, or shot with a blessed bullet and a bunch of other really nasty techniques, it just keeps going with each new time period.

Have we a double neck biting contest for you (only for you folks in the U.S.).  Here’s our press release and exclusive image. May the best Vampire or Vampirette win.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Going to the Chapel…in a Volvo S60

Volvo’s “Journey to the Wedding” Online Promotions Offer Twilight Saga Fans a Chance to Win Premiere Tickets, a Brazilian Getaway or a Volvo S60 R-Design

Fans can enter Volvo’s Facebook contest for a chance to win tickets to the premiere of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” and can play the online game for the chance to win a Brazilian getaway and Edward’s Volvo S60 R-Design at www.JourneytotheWedding.com

ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (Oct. 12, 2011) ­­– Volvo is inviting Twilight Saga fans to the wedding of the century with two online promotions in conjunction with the release of Summit Entertainment’s The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, opening in theaters on November 18.

Beginning October 15, participants can register to play Volvo’s online game, “Journey to the Wedding,” for a chance to win a trip for two to Rio de Janeiro, which includes a stay in the same luxurious house where Edward and Bella spent their honeymoon. The lucky winner will also take home the actual 325 HP Volvo S60 R-Design that Edward drove in the fourth installment of the film franchise. With a perfect marriage of style and substance, Volvo’s S60 R-Design features best-in-class acceleration, performance and fuel efficiency, making it Volvo’s most dynamic and sporty model.

Also starting on October 15, fans are invited to submit photos or drawings of what they would wear to Edward and Bella’s wedding on Volvo’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/VolvocarsUS). The person who submits the entry with the most votes will win two tickets to attend the world premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 in Los Angeles on November 14. Volvo will also provide the winner with two round-trip airline tickets to Los Angeles, two nights of hotel accommodations, and $500 spending money (visit www.facebook.com/VolvocarsUS for official rules and complete details).

“It’s not often wedding guests are the ones to receive the gifts, but one lucky fan will drive away happily ever after in a Volvo S60 R-Design, just like Edward and Bella,” said John Maloney, vice president of marketing and product planning for Volvo Cars of North America. “The Volvo S60 R-Design is the most powerful Volvo ever and safe enough to protect Edward and Bella; and now one Twilight Saga fan will experience the same dynamic driving experience designed around them.”

How Volvo’s “Journey to the Wedding” Game Works

Beginning October 15, players (ages 13 and up) can register at www.JourneytotheWedding.com to play the interactive game. In the game, fans make their way to the wedding of Edward and Bella by completing a series of three challenges. The player who finishes the final challenge in the shortest amount of time will win the game. Volvo will announce the winner on or about November 28.

In addition to the game, fans will want to visit the website’s online photo gallery for photos of Edward and Bella and learn more about Edward’s Volvos, including the Volvo C30, Volvo XC60, and Volvo S60. Fans can also learn more about the game on Volvo’s Facebook page and Twitter account.

Fans who don’t win the online game but still want their own Volvo S60 R-Design can visit a local Volvo retailer or go to www.volvocars.com/us to build their own. Edward’s S60 T6 R-Design is all-wheel drive with an automatic transmission and features Saville Grey metallic exterior, off-black leather interior, 18-inch diamond-cut Xion alloy wheels, sport chassis, active dual Xenon headlights, rear spoiler, climate package, multimedia package, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) and keyless drive.

The next chapter of “The Twilight Saga” will be released as two separate films with the first of the two – “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” – slated to be released in theatres on November 18, 2011 and the second coming to theatres on November 16, 2012.  Academy Award® winner Bill Condon directed both films starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. In “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1”, Bella (Stewart) and Edward (Pattinson), plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage and honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of a child… which brings an unforeseen and shocking development for Jacob Black (Lautner).  With more of the romance, passion, intrigue and action that made “Twilight”, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” worldwide blockbusters, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1”, based on Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling book series, begins the conclusion of the tale of vampire love, boundless friendship, acceptance, and finding your true self.  The project, based on the fourth novel in author Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, is written by Melissa Rosenberg with Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt and Stephenie Meyer producing.

About Volvo

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, (www.volvocars.com/us) is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden. VCNA provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees Volvo operations in Canada. For more information please refer to the VCNA media website at: http://www.volvocars-pr.com, and follow Volvo’s blog at: www.volvoblog.us.

About Summit Entertainment, LLC

Summit Entertainment, LLC is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures.  Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product.  Summit Entertainment, LLC releases on average 10 to 12 films annually.

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http://www.topdogphotocontest.com/

Safe holiday weekend to you all.

dan

dan

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Volvo. Sweden. You.

Discover Volvo’s Overseas Program and Enter to Win a Dream Vacation at www.CarPlusVacation.com

ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (April 7, 2011) ­­– Volvo Cars of North America’s (VCNA) Overseas Delivery Program has become the number one European overseas delivery service by offering car buyers an opportunity to save money and an unforgettable way to pick up their new vehicle – straight from the factory in Sweden. Now, for the third year, VCNA, along with VisitSweden, Tourism in Skåne and the West Swedish Tourist Board are bringing back their www.CarPlusVacation.com sweepstakes and offering a chance for two lucky people to win a dream vacation in West Sweden and Skåne.

From April 1 through July 1, people are encouraged to visit the website and register for the sweepstakes. There, entrants can use the site’s trip planner to create their dream itinerary and explore all that West Sweden and Skåne have to offer. By submitting an itinerary, visitors are automatically entered into the sweepstakes. The lucky winner will receive a one-week trip of a lifetime for two to West Sweden, complete with free airfare provided by SAS Scandinavian Airlines, accommodations, meals, activities, and the use of a Volvo car.

In addition to the sweepstakes, the site will follow several high-profile lifestyle and travel bloggers as they document their adventures traveling through Sweden. Their experiences will live on the CarPlusVacation.com website as well as on their own blogs.

“I can’t wait to bring my readers along with me as I venture into Sweden to learn more about their food, culture and heritage,” said Julia Allison of NonSociety.com.

“Volvo was born in West Sweden, and we are still firmly rooted in the city of Gothenburg, where most of our cars are still manufactured,” said Anders Robertson, manager of VCNA’s Overseas Delivery. “Through the www.CarPlusVacation.com campaign, we give potential customers a chance to experience the place and culture where their car comes from.”

“West Sweden and Skåne are hidden gems among tourist destinations,” said Lotta Thiringer, U.S. Director of VisitSweden. “You can experience outdoor adventure, fine dining at Michelin-starred restaurants, exquisite landscapes, fascinating culture, and top notch shopping in the cities of Gothenburg and Malmo.”

To enter, visit www.CarPlusVacation.com through July 1.

Volvo Overseas Delivery Program – How it Works

Through Volvo’s Overseas Delivery Program, participants guarantee themselves a free trip to Sweden by purchasing a new Volvo car. Volvo provides two complimentary airline tickets to Gothenburg, where the customer picks up their new car directly from the Volvo factory. Then, they can head out on a European road trip, and when they’re ready to return home, they can simply drop off the car and Volvo will ship it to the United States for free.

Take advantage of overseas delivery:

1.     Visit the nearest Volvo retailer to test drive and find your perfect Volvo.

2.     Order your Volvo through the Overseas Delivery Program at your local retailer.

3.     Enjoy two complimentary airline tickets to Gothenburg from SAS Scandinavian Airlines.

4.     Pick up your new Volvo at the Gothenburg Factory Delivery Center. Your new car will be registered for your stay in Europe with insurance for 15 days and the protection of the Volvo On Call Service.

5.     Test your Volvo out on the roads of West Sweden, either with one of the program’s spectacular themed tours or on your own. Then, all of Europe is your road.

6.     Drop off your Volvo in Gothenburg or an official drop-off location. Volvo will ship your car home and take care of all the problems that make importing a car difficult, from excise taxes to import duties.

For additional information about the Volvo Overseas Delivery Program, please visit www.volvocars.us/mybagsarepacked.

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Three winners were selected from each of the regions: Kyle Hudson of Pompano Beach, Fla., Peter Koch of Conshohocken, Pa., and Karen Stevenson of Los Angeles. Each are getting ready to pack their bags and experience the trip of a lifetime. Though it might be hard to top the adventures they will have in Sweden, they will be coming back to an all-new S60 to create their own Volvo adventures each and every day.

The S60 “Naughty Tour” ran from July 6 – Nov. 11, 2010 with two phases, included 170 stops and nearly two thousand pedestrian demos. More than 11,000 attendees experienced the S60 along the way.

Stumbling into work the other day, this C30 begged to be photographed. Tracking it down, Andrew Gallagher, one of our product guys, asked what I thought of the interior.

Some years back, probably around 1982 when we all had to wear suits, Bob Deutsch put together an “Ugly Tie Day” event for employees. I won more times than most. As Bob pointed out to me: ”As I recall, most of the time you won ugly tie day without realizing it was ugly tie day”, thanks Bob. I truly had ugly ties. But they were different, bold colors, strange patterns, just weird. So asking me an opinion on interiors is, well, a stretch. I do love this C30.

I offered Andrew this forum to see what others might think. I know there are a couple thousand out there reading this … simple yes/no and/or comments would be great.

What you are looking at is actually a seat that is currently offered only in Europe. The orange material is a fine interwoven cloth, the black surrounding it is made out of T-Tec. T-Tec is the same material that is used in surfing attire, kind of like my 5/4/3 wetsuit, only much nicer. There is an ongoing investigation for offering an Orange Flame metallic paint exterior with this two toned orange/black  seat interior.

Question 1:

If Volvo was to offer a special edition C30 with only Orange Flame metallic paint, orange cloth/T-Tec seat, Sirius Satellite, high performance sound (not Premium Sound previously branded as Dynaudio) a 17″ new rim, what are your thoughts?

Question 2:

Would you need an available automatic trans, climate package, or bi-xenons?

Don’t expect a surprise package of pickled herring for answering, just our appreciation for your taking time to comment.

dan

ps: I think around 1978 we launched one of rarest cars ever (second only to the P1900 that we made 58 of): a 244 California car. White trim, white paint, white grill, white interior. All it needed was ‘made by Amana’ on it.  Now, not wanting to repeat ourselves, here’s your chance to chime in or we just might do this again

Just found this review from 5th Gear out of the UK: (the engine she is testing is not our T5 with 227 HP and 236 lb.ft. of torque)

It will come as no surprise to most that author Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series isn’t written for or marketed toward those with a Y chromosome. As I posses this bit of human DNA, I haven’t made a tremendous effort to read these enormously successful novels. Aside from skimming the jacket covers, my knowledge of these stories mostly revolved around the fact that one of the main characters, a pale and brooding teen named Edward, drove himself around town in a Volvo.

I have to admit I love the irony Ms. Meyer wrote into Edward. Here’s a kid that’s immortal yet chooses to tool around in the safest car made. In the books, Ed drives an S60 R. So the kid is safe but also has a wild side. That’s interesting. He’s also not into pre-marital sex. As the father of a young girl who will some day be a doe-eyed Ed lover, I can respect this kid.

So I’m sure you’re wondering how I know Edward isn’t into pre-marital wrestling if I haven’t read the books. That’s because last week I attended the world premiere of Eclipse, the third movie installment in the series. I was on-hand with my colleague, Kate Rehill, to host the winner of a Volvo sweepstakes contest. Sandy Deuel-Weiks, 57, of Howard City, Mich., and her sister, Sharon Ary of Rockford, Mich., were the lucky winners of a trip to Los Angeles, a couple of nights at a swanky Beverly Hills hotel, two tickets to the premiere and a parking spot along the black carpet (it was a vampire thing, I suppose).

Sandy was interviewed by her hometown TV station – WZZM-TV out of Grand Rapids, Michigan – who was there to cover the phenomenon. Check out the link below.

http://www.wzzm13.com/life/programming/local/take_five/take_five_story.aspx?storyid=123193&catid=205

To be honest, I wasn’t holding out a lot of hope for a great night. What do I care about smoldering teen passions, computer generated werewolves and 2,000 screaming “Twi-hards?” I was curious, however, to see Ed racing around in an XC60 – the S60 R was out of production by the time filming began of the first movie so the brooder was relegated to a C30, then the XC60 for the second and third movies.

I’d like to say I remained cool and aloof, even brooding. But I fell victim to the hysteria of the evening. You just can’t help but get swept up in it all when the stars begin pouring out of their Escalades and limousines. The fans, erupting into high-pitched wails a Valkyrie would be envious to emulate, nearly broke down the barriers when the brooder effortlessly slithered from the dark confines of his hearse-like ride. Ed was generous with his time, stopping every few feet to sign something or kiss a hand or cause some poor girl to all but faint.

It was about this time I heard a man screaming. He sounded a lot like a teenaged girl, but with an unsettling baritone voice.

“Oh my God! Oh my God! It’s….it’s….it’s Ron Artest!”

It was then that I realized I was the unsettling sounding man. But can you blame me? Not more than five feet away stood an NBA champion.

I stood there pointing at Ron, my mouth agape. I stumbled over the velvet rope and nearly accosted the poor man. “Can I get a picture? Can I get a picture? Please, Mr. Artest. Just one!” The pleading in my voice sounded pathetic. But I couldn’t stop myself. Fortunately, Ron was cool. He shook my hand and put his arm on my shoulder and I stood there acting like a fool. He thanked me for being a fan and moved on down the line of reporters.

At that moment I became a huge Twilight fan.

An hour later I was sitting in row ZZZ of the cavernous Nokia Theater with 9,000 other folks who were somehow involved in Eclipse. Ed brooded and sulked and was always a gentleman to Bella as he zipped around Forks in his XC60. I have to say, the Volvo looked pretty damn hot.

James

dan

Teachers are special people. I think they chose their career because it is their way of helping people, they certainly didn’t chose teaching to get rich. We all have one special teacher that changed something in us, turned on a switch into something wonderful, and hopefully helped us in our life journey.

Congratulations to Volvo of Charleston for recognizing just such a person. Here is her story:

Volvo of Charleston is maximizing a way to acknowledge outstanding citizens in its community – and is doing so in a manner consistent with Volvo’s commitment to caring, conscience and character.

For nine years, Volvo of Charleston has donated a one-year lease to the Charleston County School District Teacher of the Year. For 2010, a C30 will be driven to school each day by Maisha Rounds, a teacher who also happened to grow up in the school district.

Rounds was inspired to teach after her high school Teacher Cadet class visited students with profound mental disabilities. She earned a bachelor’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in community counseling from Winthrop College. Her classroom lessons are arts-infused and multi-sensory. She is often found engaging her students by playing her keyboard to teach new skills and concepts while her students dance and create art. She has coauthored several books, addressing issues that come with special needs, abuse and illiteracy, and she strives to improve the teaching profession by serving as a mentor and professional development trainer for teachers and administrators in the district.

“We got involved several years ago as a way to serve our community and reward our teachers for all that they do,” said Sheila Sines Thomasson, who oversees marketing and business development at Volvo of Charleston. “We also host a get-together for the finalists each year at Volvo of Charleston and we attend the awards banquet.”

It’s evident that Volvo of Charleston understands how civic involvement can have long-term rewards for its community and its business.

Teacher of the Year

Because the economy is as unpredictable as weather, there are conflicting reports as to whether Americans are traveling more or less this summer for vacation.

But typically, Americans are more apt to reach their vacation destinations by car than air during down times. And, be honest, aren’t your favorite vacations the ones taken by car? Skimming down the interstates or blue highways – toward the beach, Disneyland or a national park – with a cooler of sandwiches in the trunk, singing along with the radio and cracking jokes with your family? Ok, a little corny but you get the idea.

Our trips are ones of eating. I like ‘hole in the wall’ places, my wife cringes and okay’s my choices, sometimes. We both like off freeway/turnpike/toll road vacations. We took a motor home up over “Oh My God” road just outside Idaho Springs, CO (not my video but you’ll get the idea – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhyoyr1L1tc ) It wasn’t built for a 27′ motor home.

You have some good roads to share? Love to hear from you all. Heck, even if in another country.

Generally speaking, are summer road trips with your friends and family fun, exhausting, or both? What tips can you share to help ensure your summer trips by car are enjoyable and memorable?

As a little incentive, the best summer road trip story and/or tips will win this picnic basket:

Happy driving!

dan