Mar 5, 2008 6:05 AM, PROMO Xtra, By Amy Johannes

Hostess is running a contest and rebate offer tied to the "Bee Movie" DVD release.

Hostess is supporting the upcoming DVD release of DreamWorks Animation’s “Bee Movie” with a user-generated contest and rebate offer.

The Interstate Bakeries Corp. brand is searching for America’s funniest families to develop the most creative scripts and film the most hilarious videos for a chance to win a trip to New York City.

To enter, people visit the Hostess “Main Hive” at www.hostessbeefunny.com to create a script and upload a video acting out that original script through April 30. Hostess is encouraging entrants to perform their scripts in the funniest ways possible using props, family members and friends. Videos will be posted to the Web site within two days and will be ranked by a panel of comedy veterans from the “Bee Movie” production team. The top 20 scoring videos will be eligible to receive one of nine prizes.

The top winner gets a four-day trip to New York City, airfare and hotel accommodations, a tour of local attractions, $2,000 spending money and a Hostess prize package. Other prizes include HP Notebook PCs, Sony Video Camcorders, TiVo HD and Adobe movie-making software.

The contest is part of an overall promotion to support the March 11 DVD release of “Bee Movie.”

Hostess is promoting the contest on millions of packages of Hostess Twinkies and Chocolate Cupcake products, as well as on the microsite. The promotion also includes a $4 mail-in rebate on the “Bee Movie” DVD with the purchase of two family-sized packages of specially marked Hostess products.

“Partnering with such a major entertainment property generates buzz for the Hostess brand and allows us to connect with consumers in a new, exciting way,” said Barbara Clements, Consumer Promotions and Licensing Manager for Hostess, in a statement.

Hostess has supported other DVD releases with rebates and promotions, including Warner Bros.’ “Happy Feet,” Universal’s “King Kong,” and Classic Media’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

NMA Entertainment & Marketing worked with Hostess to develop packaging, execute the contest and develop the microsite.

In a separate promotion, Brach’s is running a sweepstakes offering the chance to win a DreamWorks Animation DVD collection of 15 movies. Visitors can register at www.farleysandsathers.com through March 23. Daily prizes include a “Bee Movie” DVD and 14-ounce bag of Hawaiian Punch Jelly Beans.

An FSI dropped Sunday promoting the contest, offering $1 off the purchase of two bags of Brach’s Easter candy. Online marketing also supports the promotion.

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