Heinz Names Winner of Consumer Generated Ad Contest

A film student won the top prize in the Heinz "Top This TV Challenge Take Two."

A Chicago man was named the top winner in the H.J. Heinz Co. user-generated commercial contest.

Matt Cozza, a 25-year-old graduate of film and video production at Northwestern University, beat 2,000 other entrants to receive the grand prize of $57,000 for his ad. The 30-second spot, called “Now We Can Eat,” shows a couple at a restaurant who are upset when they find there is no Heinz Ketchup on the table. They search for a replacement until a server swings by with a bottle.

Cozza’s 30-second spot and four runner-up spots will air on the Food Network, the Fine Living Network and on closed-circuit television at Six Flags theme parks. The runners-up will also each receive $5,700.

“The winning ad visually represents America's love of the thick, rich taste of Heinz Ketchup, and shows that no table is complete without it,” David Ciesinski, vice president for Heinz Ketchup, said in a statement.

The winning ad is available at http://www.topthistv.com.

More than 40,000 votes were cast in the final voting period. Visitors to http://www.TopThisTV.com watched the finalists videos and chose their favorite this month.
(Promo Xtra, April 14, 2008).

People submitted the commercials via YouTube.com between December and March.