DEERFIELD, Ill., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- With the game day ad frenzy
rounding the corner, Jim Beam(R) is out to prove that the funniest ads aren't
always created by the pros.
The world's number one selling bourbon is looking for funny people to
enter the Jim Beam "The Remake" Contest, its new consumer-generated video
contest, offering a grand prize of $25,000, a trip for four to Las Vegas, and
a chance to have your video showcased on JimBeam.com. Four runners-up prizes,
Sony(R) HD Digital Video Cameras, will also be awarded. Aspiring filmmakers,
actors, comedians and your "Average Jims" are encouraged to enter "The Remake"
or "Best Story" categories.
"The Remake" category challenges legal purchase age consumers to create
and upload spoofed versions of three Jim Beam commercials -- "The Girlfriend,"
which premiered in the U.S. on January 19 on sports networks like ESPN(R) and
TNT, "The Party" and "The Tragedy." The commercials are a tongue-in-cheek look
at the "Average Jim's" fantasy girlfriend, party and tragedy. There will also
be a "Best Story" winner for the most creative individual who uses humor and
imagination instead of fancy video production equipment to create a successful
commercial. The prize for "Best Story" is a Flip(TM) Mino video camera.
"We're looking for people who are talented and funny to spoof these videos
and win some great prizes," said Rory Finlay, global chief marketing officer,
Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. "Every guy has his own idea of the perfect
girlfriend, party or tragedy -- and often these ideas are wholly unrealistic
and hilarious. Jim Beam is putting a call out to consumers -- show us your
idea of 'perfect.' Bring your funniest fantasies to life, or just tell us
about them, and you could win."
Consumers have the option to use a Director's Toolbox of pre-approved
fonts, sound clips and logos to create their innovative videos. Personal
promotion buttons, embeddable content and widgets will allow both contest
viewers and participants to start their own viral campaigns for their favorite
video through social media sites.
Consumer videos will be accepted January 22, 2009, through March 21, 2009,
at which point five Finalists for "Best Remake" and one "Best Story" will be
selected. The five Finalists for "Best Remake" will be selected by a panel of
judges based on creativity (33.3%), use of humor (33.3%), and originality
(33.3%). These criteria, as well as a round of public voting on the Jim Beam
website from April 8 to May 8, will decide the grand prize winner and runners-
up. In order to determine the Grand Prize Winner, the judges will take into
consideration the score each Finalist received in the Initial Judging phase,
and the number of valid votes each Finalist received during the Public Voting
Period. The following weights will be assigned to the judging score and the
vote totals: Judging Score -- 75 percent (75%); Public Vote totals -- 25
percent (25%). On the basis thereof, the judges will declare one (1) Grand
Prize Winner. The "Best Story" winner will be selected by a panel of judges
based on humor (50%), creativity (25%), and originality (25%). There is no
public voting for "Best Story."
Contest showcases Jim Beam's social media leadership in the spirits
industry
"Jim Beam is leading the spirits industry through our use of social
media," said Kelly Doss, senior director Bourbon and Whiskeys, Beam Global
Spirits & Wine, Inc. "Leaders are expected to innovate, and the Girlfriend
commercial and Remake contest do just that. The use of user-generated content
is another big step forward for our industry."
Jim Beam is the first in the spirits industry to:
-- Use micro-blogging through Twitter(TM), attracting an estimated 20,000
viewers during the "Baja 1000" for updates on Jim Beam-sponsored racecar
driver, Robby Gordon.
-- Create a website that allowed users to comment on subject matter,
establishing Jim Beam as the first public "conversational" brand in the
industry.
-- Initiate a social media call to action through an online petition and
viral widget urging fans to "Save Our Ballpark's Name" in support of Wrigley
Field.
"Jim Beam consumers -- young men of legal purchase age -- are living much
of their lives online," says Doss. "We know how important it is relate to guys
on their own terms, in their own environment. Research shows this contest will
do just that; now it's up to the guys to decide."
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be a legal resident of the 50 United States or
D.C. (except CA) and 21 years of age or older to participate. Void where
prohibited. Subject to complete official rules, available at jimbeam.com.
Contest begins on January 22, 2009 at 12:00:01 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). Online
entries must be transmitted and received by March 21, 2009 at 11:59:59 p.m.
ET.
For more information, please visit http://www.JimBeam.com/TheRemake or
http://www.thestuffinside.com/press.
About Beam Global Spirits & Wine:
Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine,
Inc., is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners
of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam(R) Bourbon, Sauza(R)
Tequila, Canadian Club(R) Whisky, Courvoisier(R) Cognac, Maker's Mark(R)
Bourbon, Laphroaig(R) Scotch Whisky, Cruzan (R) Rum, Larios(R) Gin, Whisky
DYC(R), Teacher's(R) Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper(R) Cordials and Liqueurs, Knob
Creek(R) Bourbon and Starbucks(TM) Liqueurs. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is
part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), a leading consumer brands company
with annual sales exceeding $8 billion. For more information on Beam Global
Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility,
please visit http://www.beamglobal.com and http://www.drinksmart.com.
Jim Beam(R) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 40% Alc./Vol.
(C)2008 James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY.
SOURCE Jim Beam