Pizza Hut Searches for Spokesperson Via Video Contest

Pizza Hut is giving customers a new way to earn some cash and build brand loyalty—through a video contest.

The company is asking people to submit two-minute videos that show their love for its pizza. In return, Pizza Hut will award the honorary title of vice president of pizza to one winner with a $25,000 salary, use of the company car for three months and a year's worth of free food.

Consumers can enter the America's Favorite Pizza Fan Contest at PizzaHut.com/VPofPizza through March 18. Entries will be judged based on originality, creativity and public appeal. Visitors can watch consumers' creations on the site.

“We have some of the most passionate pizza fans in the world,” said Bill Ogle, Pizza Hut chief marketing officer, in a statement. “We think a true pizza lover makes the best spokesperson for Pizza Hut—America's Favorite Pizza.”

The contest is the first of its kind for Pizza Hut, which is using the popularity of user-generated content to reach consumers.

A panel of judges will select three finalists and put the contest out to a public vote April 9-22.

Print ads in USA Today and banner ads on CareerBuilder.com and YouTube.com support the promotion. Pizza Hut has also created a profile on MySpace.com of Ted the Delivery Driver at MySpace.com/Pizzahut to generate buzz around the contest.

EPrize, Pleasant Ridge, MI, handles the contest; the Zeno Group, Princeton Junction, NJ, handles PR and IMC2 handles online components.

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