This week began Toyota’s second annual Shareathon program, where customers can tweet about their plans to buy or lease a new Toyota during Toyotathon and earn a $500 prepaid debit card. The 2011 Shareathon has announced an additional reward program from last year for those who rally their followers to retweet the original message.  Each retweet increases the debit card amount by $50, up to a maximum of $500 for a total of $1,000.

From December 12 through December 21, shoppers who register online, tweet a scripted Shareathon message and then purchase or lease a new Toyota vehicle on or before January 3, 2012 will be eligible for a certificate and unique coupon code redeemable for a $500 prepaid debit card.  As an added bonus, those followers who retweet the message will be entered to win a 2011 Prius.

“This year Shareathon not only rewards shoppers for tweeting about their plans for a new Toyota, but is also a fun and unique way for us to engage their friends and followers,” said Kimberley Gardiner, national digital marketing and social media manager for Toyota.  “Last year’s Shareathon was such a huge success that we decided to add an incremental element to expand the social footprint and impact of the program.”