GSN, the network for games, is on the hunt for LINGO contestants and is rolling out the effort with a five-market search.

The LINGO contestant search kicks off today at Boylston Plaza near the Prudential Center in Boston. During each event, participants must take a LINGO word test and answer specific questions for an on-camera interview. LINGO co-host Shandi Finnessey, who will interview participants, will send two consumers from each market to Los Angeles for a chance to become contestants on the show's sixth season.

Other search locations include the Westfield Galleria Mall at Roseville in Sacramento on April 22, the King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia on April 29, the Summit Mall in Akron on May 6 and Stonebriar Centre in Dallas on May 13.

As part of the event, consumers will receive samples of Purina Friskies Dry Cat Food and coupons for the product. Friskies, a sponsor of the LINGO contestant search, plans to distribute about 7,000 samples and 7,000 coupons at the events.

"It's such a natural thing for us to do," Joel Chiodi, VP-marketing and promotions for GSN, said of the promotion. "It's one more way that we can [engage viewers]."

The promotion, in part, is designed in part to boost viewership of the show, which airs weekdays at 7:30 p.m. ET on GSN.

In addition, GSN is giving LINGO fans a second chance to become a contestant on the show. The network has launched a national online tournament that will send eight weekly top scorers to Los Angeles for a chance to compete on the show' next season. To play, consumers log on to the LINGO Tournament micro site, GNS.com/lingo. The online tournament runs through May 28.on LINGO,

Online materials, TV spots, e-mail blasts support. Promotions Group West, Venice, CA, handles.

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