• by Karl Greenberg , September 16, 2009

B.F. Goodrich Tires has launched a rich-media social-networking site that behaves like a cross between Google Maps and Facebook. NationofGO.com, designed for motorists and auto buffs, lets users create driver profiles; map roads, tracks and trails; upload photos and videos; post blogs and events; follow pro drivers, and engage in forums.

The site's central feature is an interactive, topographically enhanced map of the U.S., which users can modify and link to their profiles: If one takes a road trip, for instance, one's version of the map can include the route taken, with photos and video hotspots detailing it. One can also recreate a drive by plotting drive points on the map with a mouse and by uploading "geo-tagged" photos from a GPS-enabled mobile device. The free application is for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS and the BlackBerry Curve.

Each member gets a profile for blogs, uploading photos and videos and for following drivers and interest groups within the community.

To promote the site, the Greenville, S.C.-based company has launched a "Nation of GO" road show that will travel the country and upload content along the way to the site. Nation of GO members can follow the tour online by visiting the site, a blog at blog.nationofgo.com, the program's Twitter site at twitter.com/nationofgo and on YouTube at youtube.com/nationofgo.

The effort, via lead agency Richmond, Va.-based The Martin Agency as well as digital firms Odopod, Every Trail and community-services firm Pluck, also lets members follow such groups as those by BFG-sponsored teams and drivers such as drift champion Samuel Hubinette.