Lincoln Donates $100,000 to Red Cross as Vonage Wins 'Smartest Company in America'

Lincoln, the luxury automotive brand, will donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross Jersey Coast Chapter on behalf of Vonage

Results based on reasoning exercises and group challenges; participants had the opportunity to drive the Lincoln MKS full-size sedan, MKX midsize crossover and MKT three-row crossover

DEARBORN, MI--Feb. 21, 2013: Lincoln has named Vonage the "Smartest Company in America" after it won the "Lincoln Intelligence Project."

The luxury automotive brand will donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross Jersey Coast Chapter on behalf of Vonage, a leading provider of communications services bringing people together through cloud-connected devices worldwide.

The "Lincoln Intelligence Project" searched nationwide for the most technologically and socially savvy company. More than 20 companies competed in games to showcase their intelligence and knowledge of Lincoln, earning points toward winning the contest and benefiting the winning company's charity of choice.

"The activities included reasoning exercises, intuition, puzzle-solving, memory and computation," said Dave Rivers, Lincoln U.S. Marketing Communications Manager. "Touchscreen tablets with software designed exclusively for the 'Lincoln Intelligence Project' measured individual and group challenges and promoted teamwork."

Over the past three years, Lincoln has donated $300,000 to various charitable organizations on behalf of "Lincoln Intelligence Project" winners to encourage community involvement and create brand awareness through interactive intelligence games.

"We are excited to be named 'Smartest Company in America' by Lincoln, and thrilled that our activities have resulted in funds that will make a difference to those in need in New Jersey, especially following Hurricane Sandy," said Graham McGonigal, Vonage's senior vice president of Network Operations and a board member of the American Red Cross Jersey Coast Chapter. "This honor not only demonstrates just how smart Vonage employees are, but also reinforces their dedication to helping those in our community."

Participants experienced the smart technology of the 2013 Lincoln MKS --a full-size luxury sedan that makes driving easier and more enjoyable. SYNC with MyLincoln Touch, for example, provides detailed turn-by-turn directions via voice and on-screen graphics, and allows drivers to use voice command to program a destination. Information is managed in whatever way is most convenient for the customer --voice control, touch screen or five-way controllers on the steering wheel.

"Thousands of employees all over the country had the opportunity to experience the 2013 MKS, which helped change opinion, promoted test drives, engaged participants with the brand, and allowed them to opt in to receive more information from Lincoln, all while competing for their favorite charities," said Rivers.

Vonage, headquartered in Holmdel, N.J., won with nearly 195 test drives during the "Lincoln Intelligence Project."

The 2013 three-row premium utility, the MKT, and the midsize luxury crossover, the MKX, also were available for test drives.

"The American Red Cross Jersey Coast Chapter is honored to receive such a generous gift from Vonage through the 'Lincoln Intelligence Project,'" said Nancy Orlando, Regional Executive Director. "We congratulate Vonage on winning the contest and thank them for selecting the Jersey Coast Chapter to receive the award. This gift from Vonage will support our vital community programs and services, including Disaster Relief, Services to Armed Forces, Blood Services and Health and Safety Training."