Lyft Co-Founder and President John Zimmer to Keynote LA Auto Show's Connected Car Expo

Connected Car Expo^® (CCE), the auto industry’s most authoritative gathering of automotive and technology leaders, announced today that Lyft, Inc. Co-Founder and President John Zimmer will keynote the Nov. 17 auto-tech conference and exhibition held at JW Marriott L.A. Live.  CCE is part of the LA Auto Show’s Press & Trade Days at the LA Convention Center (Nov 18 & 19), where more than 50 vehicles will be unveiled to an expected 25,000 auto industry executives, including 4,500 media from around the world.

John Zimmer founded Lyft, Inc. with Logan Green in 2012 and the ridesharing platform has quickly become one of today’s fastest-growing tech companies with more than $1 billion raised from leading investors.  Lyft operates in 65 cities across the United States with more than 100,000 drivers on its platform.  In August 2014, Lyft introduced Lyft Line, a ridesharing product that utilizes its existing driver network to transport passengers going the same direction at the same time.

Zimmer was named in Forbes’ “30 Under 30: Technology” list, and both he and Green were named in Inc. Magazine’s “35 Under 35” list.  Zimmer is recognized as a pioneer and one of the foremost experts of the “on-demand” economy as Lyft has emerged as the leading rideshare company affecting positive change in the transportation business.  During the keynote, Zimmer will discuss his vision for a future with less traffic congestion and ultimately how the face of transportation will be changed around the world.

The Lyft keynote will kick off an entire day of discussions, presentations, news conferences plus exhibits from some of the top companies in the auto-tech space. More than 25 speakers will outline their vision for the dramatic changes facing the auto industry.

Highlights include:

·         Chris Valasek, director of vehicle security research, IOActive, to provide a deep dive into his Jeep hack that resulted in the world’s first automotive cybersecurity recall of 1.4 million vehicles.

·         David Strickland, partner at Venable LLC and former Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Karl Heimer, founding partner of Autoimmune and Special Adviser for Cyber Security to the State of Michigan; and Andrew Weimerskirch, associate research scientist at the University of Michigan Transportation Institute, to discuss problems and solutions surrounding auto cybersecurity.

·         Henry Newton-Dunn, Design Manager, Google, to discuss Android Auto from the inside out.

·         Ned Curic, Chief Technology Officer, Toyota Motor Sales; Nick Sugimoto, Senior Program Director, Honda Silicon Valley Lab; and Dr. Frankie James, Managing Director Advanced Technology, Silicon Valley Office, General Motors, to discuss how automotive OEMs are tapping into west coast technology.

·         RJ Mical, Director of Games, Google; Larry Rosin, President, Edison Research; and Eric Migicovsky, Founder, Pebble, to explain how consumer electronics are reshaping vehicle interiors.

·         Prof. Thomas Form, Electronics & Vehicle Research, Volkswagen, and Brian Droessler, VP of Software & Connected Solutions, Continental, to discuss the long and winding road to autonomous vehicles.

“As technology disrupts the auto industry much like it changed the rules for the music and film industries, its critical to learn from key innovators like Lyft’s John Zimmer,” said Lisa Kaz, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Auto Show and Connected Car Expo. “The future direction of the Auto Industry is being determined by a multitude of players and the LA Auto Show’s Connected Car Expo brings together this new auto industry ecosystem to responsibly map the way.”

In the coming months, CCE will be releasing additional information on more panels and participating speakers. For a full list of current panel topics and speakers please visit: ConnectedCarExpo.com/schedule.

On Nov. 17, all presentations, discussions, CCE exhibits and news conferences will be held at the JW Marriott L.A. Live, which is adjacent to the LA Convention Center.  The remaining Press & Trade Days events and news conferences (Nov 18 & 19) will take place at the LA Convention Center.  To register for CCE and LA Auto Show Press & Trade Days, please visit: LAAutoShow.com/Join.

For additional information on CCE and LA Auto Show please visit: ConnectedCarExpo.com and LAAutoShow.com.

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Ford Warriors in Pink Good Days Project

Ford Motor Company, through its Warriors in Pink campaign, launched The Good Day Project – a powerful call to action to bring more good days to those living with breast cancer.

For more than two decades, Ford Warriors in Pink has been committed to the fight and continues to inspire women to be proactive about their breast health. The Good Day Project takes the program a step further – encouraging people to step up and help those who are battling the disease.

“Most breast cancer patients characterize their days by ‘good days’ and ‘bad days,’” said Tracy Magee, Ford Warriors in Pink brand manager. “While many people want to help, most are unsure of the best way to show their support. We want to change this. “Warriors in Pink is about driving awareness, and about motivating people to help in the battle against breast cancer,” added Magee. “With The Good Day Project, we hope to empower people to take real action and help provide more good days to those living with the disease.”

At the heart of the project are partnerships with Meal Train and Lyft to provide support services and resources that benefit those dealing with breast cancer and help make their day-to-day life easier.

The nationwide partnership with Meal Train – an online platform for organizing family and friends to bring meals to loved ones fighting breast cancer – allows users to gain free access to the premium service Meal Train Plus. The service not only helps organize meal deliveries, but other household needs such as errand services and childcare.

“We are thrilled to be joining forces with Ford Warriors in Pink to simplify the giving process,” said Michael Laramee, cofounder, Meal Train. “Our goal is to give users practical solutions that help provide the services they need on the days that are most helpful. Through this partnership, we hope to inspire more people to join the fight and grant small acts of kindness that lessen the burden for those living with the disease.”

Alongside the support services made available through Meal Train, Warriors in Pink will work with Lyft to offer rides to and from appointments for select patients undergoing treatment. The ride-sharing service will be made available starting in June, and will roll out across 17 cities through select treatment centers. 

“Reliable transportation to and from treatment is a common challenge for patients,” said Kira Wampler, chief marketing officer, Lyft. “We are honored to be partnering with Ford Warriors in Pink to bring a dependable option to the many women seeking treatment this year.

“Together with Ford and Meal Train, we’ll help bring awareness to the small things people can do to support women fighting this disease,” added Wampler. “In the coming days, we’ll share details on how to donate a free Lyft ride to a patient in need – simply by showing your support.” 

In addition to the partnerships with Meal Train and Lyft, Ford Warriors in Pink has created new ideas, tips and tools as part of The Good Day Project to help people carry out simple acts that bring about more good days.

Additional details and resources can be found at www.fordcares.com. 

These include:

• A free postcard mailing service launching in June; visitors can customize a message that Warriors in Pink will send to their loved ones
• A list of books of encouragement selected by those who have had experience with breast cancer
• Spotify playlist with songs of encouragement and empowerment
• Advice from Warriors in Pink Models of Courage members on how to get through the hard days of treatment, along with inspiring ways to celebrate the good days  
• Health and financial information from the four charity partners of Ford Warriors in Pink – The Pink Fund, Susan G. Komen, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and Young Survival Coalition
• An opportunity to win various “good day” experiences – from flowers to relaxing spa treatments and even a grand prize of an all-new Ford Mustang

Supporting The Good Day Project is singer and songwriter Andy Grammer, whose mother died from breast cancer six years ago. Grammer recently joined Warriors in Pink in a visit to The Margie Petersen Breast Center in Los Angeles, surprising more than 50 cancer patients with a touching performance.

“We learned of my mother’s breast cancer very late, and because of that I feel it’s important to be a part of the awareness movement,” said Grammer. “I want people to know that it does not have to be all bad. You are reminded that it only takes a moment to show someone how much you love them, and these small moments can help influence their outlook.”

For more than 20 years, Ford Motor Company has worked to advance the conversation around breast cancer – inspiring the next generation of warriors in the fight, while continuing to fuel the spirit of those living with the disease. To date, Ford has contributed more than $128 million to the cause.

For more on Ford Warriors in Pink and to view the full 2015 accessories and apparel collection, please visit www.fordcares.com.

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