• by Tanya Gazdik , December 18, 2009

Charmin has launched a Web site and a mobile application in conjunction with its annual "Enjoy the Go" restroom installation in New York's Times Square.

Since 2006, approximately 1.5 million visitors have used the 20 clean, deluxe, ADA-compliant, family-friendly and fully staffed restrooms. Stroller parking, baby changing stations and seating and family photo areas are also available. New features this year include a giant toilet for photo ops, digital graffiti wall, kids' toilet paper pit and video "can-fessional" booth.

The Web site component offers the audition tapes of the applicants who wanted to be part of the five-member "Charmin Go Team" that entertains at the restrooms. The team is also reporting on the "action" via Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube. There's also a daily blog with "posts from inside the NYC Restrooms."

The site also includes a link to the mobile application, "Sit or Squat," which allows people to search for clean public restrooms all over the country from their mobile phone. The Web site will continue after the holidays, according to a blurb on the site, which reads: "Do you enjoy going to the bathroom as much as we do? Come back after the holidays to join the conversation."

Charmin also added a charity component this year. The Procter & Gamble brand has teamed with Mario Cantone, Mario Lopez, Martina McBride and Sherri Shepherd to design toilet seat covers which are on display at the restroom installation. For each person visiting the Charmin restrooms until Dec. 31, Charmin will donate $1 to the celebrity's charity of choice, up to $50,000. The charities are: Broadway Cares; Boys & Girls Club of America; loveisrespect, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline; The Harlem Children's Zone; and Angels in Waiting.

Each of the toilet seat designs is unique and reflects the style and interests of its creator. Themes range from boxing to disco, and designs feature everything from bright, vibrant colors to embellishments such as feathers, sequins and glitter.

One level up from the restrooms, another P&G brand, Duracell, is offering a power lab where visitors can pedal specially designed Power Rovers to generate energy. It is being captured and stored in batteries to light up the numerals 2010 when the Ball drops at midnight on New Year's Eve in Times Square.

Guests also have access to an array of Duracell Smart Power products to charge their mobile electronic devices and play with the latest in gaming and charging technology.