Best Buy Goes Back to School With YouTube

Consumer electronics giant Best Buy, along with YouTube, this week introduced the Tech U Out Video Challenge, a contest in which college students are encouraged to post videos to YouTube.

As part of its back-to-school marketing campaign, Best Buy is offering a grand prize of $15,000 towards electronics for the winner¹s dorm room. In addition, consumers with YouTube accounts are invited to vote on their favorite videos.

The first round of the contest at Youtube.com/User/Bestbuy runs through Aug. 18, with a second round taking place the following week.

“The YouTube partnership gave us a unique opportunity to reach college students looking for customized assistance with their back-to-school technology and entertainment needs,” said Erin MacMillan, spokeswoman for Best Buy.

“This is the first time we have partnered with YouTube for a contest of this kind,” she said. “We have a history of looking at unique ways to reach students, including on-campus and online promotions.”

The introductory video on the Web site was produced by Best Buy to promote the contest.