Lori L. Mavrigian

Managing Editor

Since joining Modern Tire Dealer in 1979, Lori Mavrigian has held several key positions leading to her current title as managing editor. In addition to handling the day-to-day operations of magazine production, Lori writes features, contributes photography and is in charge of several of the magazines departments. She also works with the magazine's National Advisory Council for the exclusive Ludwig Report surveys. She earned a B.A. in Mass Media-Communications from the University of Akron.

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Will you marry me? Great! Now where's my cell?

By: Lori L. Mavrigian

"Martin proposed to Olivia!" squealed the woman sitting next to me at the airport. She held out her cell phone so her husband could read the text message. "Wait!" the woman said. "Let me check Martin's Facebook page. It says, 'Olivia said yes!'"

And thus, two parents learned of their daughter's engagement.

"How romantic can that be?" the father mused. "They're at dinner, he proposes to her, and they immediately start sending text messages and updating their Facebook page?"

Times have certainly changed. I kept discovering that at every turn on a recent trip to Michelin North America Inc.'s tire testing facility in South Carolina.

From the paperless ticketing at the airport to the keyless room entry to the half hour it took for me to get a regular channel on my hotel room's TV (clicking through music channels, Internet hookup, e-mail service, etc.), technology advancements are front and center. 

And although I feel a phone call would have been more appropriate for these parents, it's a new world out there, and business owners have to be aware of it and take advantage of it.

Michelin certainly is. During tire testing for the company's new light truck/SUV tire -- the Michelin LTX M/S2 -- the company reported on its promotional campaign for its new products. Its advertising will include an "enhanced digital strategy" introducing the official Michelin Man Facebook page and a dedicated You Tube channel (see www.michelinman.com/the-right-tire for more information). The campaign represents the company's "initial foray into social media," says Lisa Hickey, marketing communications for Michelin.

These are elements of the company's "The Right Tire Changes Everything" global advertising campaign that uses Bibendum -- the Michelin Man -- as an ambassador of the Michelin brand.  The worldwide campaign will launch in the U.S. and be gradually deployed in 55 countries. Incredible.

Technology is changing the way we live, work -- and think. I'm not immune. What was I thinking when I overheard the woman talk about the upcoming nuptials broadcast via Twitter? That would make a good blog.

What do you think about the new technology? Let me know, I'm listening.

Related Topics: Michelin, Technology

comments

1. Neal | November 12, 2009 at 01:15PM
   Lori,
   
   Like many of us you still have a ways to go, you should have ended with: I'm listening, texting, tweetering while updating myspace & facebook as I snap a photo with my cell phone as I virtually enjoy a latte in Milan with my avatar Brunhilda.

2. Doug | November 23, 2009 at 10:08PM
   Good story, Lori, but the title could have had a double or different meaning. I was looking for someone going to a JAIL CELL after proposing and I couldn't understand what significance this story could have had to MTD.
   
   Of course after reading it I understand. Thanks for all your great writing, Lori.