Calling all "hot dogs" with a taste for Hollywood! It's icon meets Idol as the Oscar Mayer brand today announced its official partnership with FremantleMedia for sponsorship of American Idol Season 7. America's favorite hot dog company will amplify the partnership to support their "Sing the Jingle, Be a Star" promotion via broadcast and online advertising, on-pack, and online at http://www.singthejingle.com/.
Now in its second year, the Oscar Mayer Sing the Jingle, Be a Star contest invites eager songsters to see if they can cut the mustard by singing their own unique rendition of one of the popular Oscar Mayer jingles. Whether rapped, yodeled or sung in three-part harmony, interested hopefuls are encouraged to put their own relish on the Oscar Mayer Wiener Jingle, the Bologna Song, or an Oscar Mayer Spanish Jingle. Solo artists and -- new this year -- duos and groups of up to five people -- can enter from May 24 to October 31, 2007. As part of the promotion, the American Idol name and imagery will be featured on 250 million packs of Oscar Mayer lunch meats, hot dogs, corn dogs and bacon.
"The Oscar Mayer jingles have collectively delighted people for more than a century so what better way to celebrate our iconic melodies than by harmonizing with America's biggest singing competition," says Oscar Mayer Marketing Director Heather Fries. "We're looking forward to hearing this year's entries and can't wait to hit the road this summer!"
Michele Welch, Director of Integrated Marketing FremantleMedia added, "American Idol is the ultimate talent search so it only makes sense to partner with the Oscar Mayer brand for this promotion. We know that there are so many talented people across the country; we just hope that this campaign discovers more."
Lyrical Launch
AMERICAN IDOL Season 5 finalist Elliott Yamin will help the Oscar Mayer team kick-off the search for the next jingle stars on June 13 in the Central Courtyard at the Hollywood & Highland Center, just steps away from the Kodak Theatre where the season finale of AMERICAN IDOL took place. Elliott will assist the Hotdoggers, official drivers of the WIENERMOBILE vehicles, as eager entrants sing their hearts out at the first open casting call of the hot dog season.
Hittin' the Road
The search will continue throughout the summer, as the WIENERMOBILE vehicles cruise the country hosting open casting calls to give Oscar Mayer fans the opportunity to enter the contest. Contestants ages six and up may enter at official WIENERMOBILE vehicle stops, where their entry will be videotaped, or mail-in a VHS videotape or DVD along with an official entry form, available on http://www.singthejingle.com/. They may also upload their entry videos at the contest website http://www.singthejingle.com/. Mailed entries should be sent to: Sing the Jingle Entries, P.O. Box 5600, Blair, NE 68009-5600. All entries must be received by October 31, 2007.
OH, I WISH...I were an Oscar Mayer Winner
Twelve finalists will be selected by a panel of Oscar Mayer appointed judges and posted online at http://www.singthejingle.com/ from January 15 to February 15, 2008. During this time, Americans can log onto singthejingle.com to vote for their favorite jingle contest entry or to find additional details on how to vote via ballot form or mail.
America's vote, along with the panel of Oscar Mayer appointed judges, will help select three Grand Prize winners, who will receive the chance to appear in a nationally televised Oscar Mayer commercial, a trip for two to the American Idol Season 7 Finale* and commercial taping location. Judging will be based on overall performance, style, creativity and suitability for an Oscar Mayer TV commercial.
For official Oscar Mayer Sing the Jingle, Be a Star entry materials, complete rules and more information, visit http://www.singthejingle.com/.
