Best Western Launches Online Video Contest

PHOENIX (Blue MauMau) - Best Western International becomes one of the first hotel chains to jump in on the advertising trend of having consumers design corporate ads. "Freelance advertising" first came into force in the 2007 Superbowl commercial of a Doritos corn chips (see television commercial below).

From now until June 24, the hotel franchisor, in conjunction with family travel expert Emily Kaufman, aka "The Travel Mom", has launched a competition through YouTube in which viewers submit a 30-second video to the Best Western Group site describing why they are in dire need of a vacation. Visitors will be able to vote for the Top 10 Finalists. Then a Best Western panel of judges will determine the best video the week of July 23.

The Grand Prize winner will receive a seven-day vacation anywhere in the U.S. or Canada for a family of up to four, with help from The Travel Mom. The package also includes a video camera to record that once-in-a-lifetime trip, along with a one-year membership to AAA/CAA and $1,000 (USD) in spending money. The nine runner-up contestants will each receive a $250 (USD) Best Western Travel Card, which can be used to pay for accommodations and related incidentals at Best Western hotels worldwide.