Two online-based contests announced Monday offer winners the opportunity to participate in major music events--virtually, by becoming a Taco Bell ad character during the MTV Video Music Awards; or in
person, by getting press credentials to cover the Virgin Festival By Virgin Mobile.
Taco Bell has partnered with avatar provider Gizmoz and MTV for TV Me!, a user-generated virtual casting call that will result in animated versions of three winners debuting in a 30-second commercial during the MTV Video
Music Awards on Sept. 9.
To enter, consumers visit tacobell.com, upload a digital photograph of themselves, and use a microphone to record 15 seconds of their own voice. In less than a minute,
the site promises to automatically create a 3D lifelike head and personalized body. After submitting their audition videos, entrants can them send them to friends or post them on other Web sites.
Working with Draftfcb Irvine, Taco Bell will support the promotion with online banners, keyword search buys and a co-branded spot airing on MTV.
The Virgin Festival contest is a joint promotion
with Ticketmaster's LiveDaily music news site, the Documentary Channel, and BigString, which runs a free email service that allows senders to recall, destroy or change emails.
Anyone can submit
a self-penned, 500-words-or-less, previously unpublished music-related feature article, review of an album or concert, or interview with a musical act to LiveDaily@BigString.com. Three finalists will
have their articles published on LiveDaily.com and also receive an iPod Nano and a selection of music documentaries. And the grand prize winner will receive an all-expenses-paid, two-day assignment to
cover the Aug. 4-5 Virgin Festival in Baltimore for both LiveDaily and on Documentary Channel.com's "Sound Check" section.
BigString also promises to give each entrant a free BigString.com email account.
This year's Virgin
Festival will feature such acts as The Police, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Beastie Boys.