• October 16, 2008

A casting call seeking those willing to shave their heads and be temporarily tattooed is set for Oct. 26. "A cranial billboard will turn heads and speak directly to the person behind him or her, inspiring dialog about the need for a life-changing journey to New Zealand," says the spokesperson. The airline is looking for 30 Southern California adults willing to shave their heads and be branded with a temporary henna tattoo visible for 10 days. It will read: "Need a change? Head down to New Zealand. www.airnewzealand.com."

The message reflects Air New Zealand's current "Depart a Californian. Return a Kiwi." advertising campaign communicating the potential for a life-change.

The casting call will take place on Oct. 26 from noon to 3 p.m. in Los Angeles. Each cranial billboard winner will be eligible for a cash prize of $777 or an economy roundtrip ticket to New Zealand.

Cranial billboards will be asked to go about their normal lives, attend their regular events and might be asked to fly on a major airline between Los Angeles and San Francisco, encouraging busy travelers to explore their need for change by heading down to New Zealand. Additional cranial billboard rules and regulations are posted at airnewzealand.com.

"Gas prices, the economy, the bank situation, the housing market, and the dynamic election are leaving many Californians with a need for change," says a spokesperson. "Air New Zealand encourages people to take a trip to New Zealand and have the experience of a lifetime."

The airline's "Depart a Californian. Return a Kiwi" campaign illustrates a juxtaposition of before-and-after images of life-changing journeys. Air New Zealand hopes to convey a personal message by using people to communicate one-on-one about the potential for a life-change.

"A cranial billboard will turn heads and speak directly to the person behind him or her, inspiring dialog about the need for a life-changing journey to New Zealand," says the spokesperson.

Californians can enter a sweepstakes to win a life-changing journey for two to New Zealand and/or book a journey at www.airnewzealand.com.