• by Laurie Sullivan  @lauriesullivan, May 6, 2008

Alltel Wireless plans to give one lucky My Circle subscriber a four-day, three-night trip to one of three U.S. destinations for some fun and sun. The package, valued at $43,420, allows the winner to take along their circle of friends.

 

The "My Circle Reunion" text-to-win sweepstakes that launched Monday and runs through May celebrates the two-year anniversary of the "My Circle" calling plan, which provides customers unlimited calling to any number on any network for no additional charge above the monthly service contract fee.

The winner, picked at random, can choose to visit either Key West, Fla.; Las Vegas; or Palm Springs, Calif. "We're trying to thank our My Circle customers and show them we appreciate their loyalty," says Lucie Pathmann, Alltel's director of marketing.

By Friday, Alltel customers in South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, northern Florida and southern Michigan will see flyers in stores describing the sweepstakes. An email campaign targeting My Circle subscribers begins May 14. The company also will rely on word-of-mouth marketing.

Promotional plans don't include TV, radio, print or online ads, but Chef Ted Allen, known for his role on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" as a food and wine connoisseur, plans to promote the sweepstakes in print and satellite media tours. As part of the prize, Allen prepares a special meal for the winner and guests.

Kelly Cavanaugh, the Alltel marketing specialist spearheading the sweepstakes, says the winner can choose from golf or spa vacation packages. Depending on the location, the choice would include water sports, where the winner and friends could snorkel, jet ski, or kayak.

To help the group keep in touch long after their getaway, the winner and "Circle of Friends" will each receive a new wireless phone and a $200 Alltel gift card.

Alltel also celebrates the anniversary by unveiling a special bonus number. All customers who have remained on My Circle for the past two years automatically receive one free number added to their current "My Circle" plan. Eligible customers who have 10 numbers on "My Circle 10" get 11 numbers on any network to call for free. "My Circle 20" customers receive the first 20 numbers free.

On each subsequent two-year anniversary for eligible "My Circle" subscribers, Alltel will add another bonus number at no additional cost. To receive the bonus number, customers can simply visit alltel.com/myaccount and insert the number of their choice.

Consumers who sign up for the My Circle program through May 31 become eligible to enter into the sweepstakes. My Circle customers on eligible plans costing $59.99 or more can enter by texting CIRCLE to 102102 or visiting alltel.com/circlereunion.