The Ford F-150 Platinum Truck Drop from Bartlesville’s Frank Lloyd Wright Price Tower

The phone’s been ringing off the hook. If you live in Northern Oklahoma, chances are you know why. A few days ago we announced that we would be dropping our F-150 off of Bartlesville’s Price Tower to demonstrate how tough Ford Trucks are. Seems the folks around these parts agree…they’re worried about about what one of our trucks would do to the Frank Lloyd Wright tower, and as a Price Tower Board Member, I don’t blame them. I thought I would take a few minutes and explain how this promotion will work, and why I believe it’s “safe”.

Here’s our components:

The Product: A 2009 Ford F150 Platinum Edition with a standard equipment package that would impress Frank Lloyd Wright. The all new F-150 has too many standard features to list here. This is a Ford workhorse pick-up with a plethora of  luxurious appointments.

The Blueprint Location: Price Tower in Bartlesville Oklahoma. Visible from no less than 10 miles on the Northeast Oklahoma open prairie.

The Price Tower is a nineteen story, 221 foot high tower in Bartlesville, that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is the only realized skyscraper by Wright, and is one of only two vertically-oriented Wright structures extant (the other is the S.C. Johnson Wax Research Tower in Racine, Wisconsin).

Bartlesville’s Price Tower a National Landmark

The Price Tower was commissioned by Harold C. Price of the H. C. Price Company, a local oil pipeline and chemical firm. It opened to the public in February 1956. Price Tower was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1974 and was designated a National Landmark in 2007.

The Price Tower Arts Center is the art complex at Price Tower. It is a civic art museum, and with a keen focus on art, architecture and design. Features includes a museum, tours of the historic tower, and a hotel that is unique.

Flawless Execution:  “How the Heck are You Going to Do That?”

This promotion was first discussed after I ran the story on my Grandfather, Bill Doenges on April 26. “Doenges Celebrates their 68th year in Bartlesville”. That story prompted a lot of local conversation. One of those conversations took place at Price Tower, which is a hop, skip and a jump from  Doenges Ford, Lincoln, Mercury & Toyota.

Wait a minute….Eggs and a Ford F150…I don’t get it?

That conversation was centered on an event at Price Tower that is called the “Eggstravaganza”. This is a wonderful event hosted by the Price Tower which challenges both youth and adults to drop an egg in a container – designed by the participant – from the ninth floor of the Price Tower. While this event is always well attended, I was discussing it with Price Tower Executive Director Tim Boruff on how we might be able to make this years event even bigger. On my drive back to the dealership…”Bam!!” it hit me…it was a little off the wall…but what the heck.

Call me Crazy!

I challenged Chris Oldroyd, our Advertising and Marketing guy, to come up with a promotion that would include Price Tower while positioning our brand. The idea was to compare the durability of a Ford truck to the fragile eggs which are to be dropped on July 18th at the “Eggstravaganza” event. After a few weeks, Chris brought his presentation to me. With the assistance of several structural engineers, architects, and a team of others I was left to choose Plan A, Plan B or Plan C.

Is it Door # 1, Door #2 or Door # 3?

Plan A: Was radical and that is an understatement. Chris and his team assured me that they could pull this off.  Although very creative, and it would be memorable for years to come I nixed the Plan. It just had too many what if’s?

Plan B: Had all of the elements of Plan A without the risk.

Plan C: Was creative but would not be memorable.

I choose Plan B…….Soooo what is Plan B?

If I revealed the mechanics of the promotion it would ruin your curiosity, fun and excitement of this event. It reminds me of a sign I saw a in a retail Magic Tricks store. The sign read: “Once the Trick is Sold the Secret is Told” therefore No Refunds. I will let your imagination fill in any gaps. Better yet just show up. This event will start at 6:30PM sharp on Friday July 10th, rain or shine. I don’t really know what all the hub-bub is about… surely we can’t be the first people to drop a truck from a building, can we?

By the way, click here for a sneak peek at Plan B

If you can’t make it to the event I will post a recap over the July 11th -12th weekend.

P.S. My grandfather believed that giving back and being a active participant in the community was the civically responsible thing to do. It was essential for the survival of the local car dealership. The Price Tower is a cause that is close to my heart and one that I take a particular interest and active involvement in. This promotion will retain the integrity of Price Tower and give us a chance to give back to the community….and provide fun and entertainment for all.

For more information please contact Brad Doenges of Doenges Ford Lincoln Mercury Toyota in Bartlesville Oklahoma at (918) 333-0900.

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