Regional winners of the Rotten Sneaker Contest® gathered at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Times Square for the 2016 national competition. Six contestants from across the country, ages seven to thirteen, went head-to head in New York City today to show off their foul smelling sneakers for a chance to win the national title. But only one pair of sneakers could be crowned the winner and they belonged to 12 year old, Mason Young-Hiss, from Berthoud, CO.
The Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest is the ultimate test that shows how offensive kids’ sneakers can get when they are playing outdoors, splashing through puddles, slogging through mud and more. The contest has a long history (over 40 years) and kids from across the country look forward to this annual event in their hometown. Participants take pride in mucking up their shoes to stand out from their competitors to ultimately win over the judges. Sneakers are judged on the interior and exterior conditions of the shoe, and most importantly odor, by a professional panel that includes NASA “Master Sniffer” George Aldrich, Chemical Specialist for NASA space missions, and Rachel Herz, Ph.D., an expert and author on the psychology of smell. Additionally, Brittany Every, Marketing Manager of Ripley’s Believe Or Not! Times Square joined the expert judges this year. Brittany is accustomed to seeing the unexpected and unusual at Ripley’s so she was up for the task.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7720051-odor-eaters-rotten-sneaker-contest/
Cuba was witness once again to the largest annual international event celebrating the Habano culture. The festival has come to an end with the celebration of the Gala Evening that paid tribute to the Cohiba brand on its 50th Anniversary, with exclusive tastings of its new releases. The gala hosted 1,200 guests that enjoyed live performances by Cuban pianist and composer, Chucho Valdes; the Spanish flamenco singer, Estrella Morente; and the Uruguayan singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler.
This year the traditional humidor auction of seven collector items reached a total of 865.000€ that will be entirely donated to the Cuban Public Health System. This edition has been especially unique thanks to the auction of the first humidor (01/50) of the exclusive special series “Cohiba 50 Aniversario”, which raised 320.000 euros. This humidor is an authentic work of art and a unique collector's item, and heralds a true innovation in terms of traditional craftsmanship and technical design and development.
During the evening, the “Maestro de Maestros” was chosen in the XV International Habanosommelier Contest. The winner was Juan Jesús Machín from Cuba. Luis Manuel García Urrea (United Arab Emirates) and Pedro Tejeda (Cuba) were runners-up in second and third place respectively.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7779251-international-stars-xviii-habanos-festival/
The new edition of the Habanos Festival will feature an outstanding international musical line-up. For five whole days, from the 29th of February to the 4th of March, this annual event dedicated to Habano cigars will gather more than 1,500 attendees from over 50 countries that will discover this year’s major launches in an exclusive and inspiring setting.
The Welcome Event, dedicated to the Hoyo de Monterrey Reserva Cosecha 2012, will have Alexander Abreu, renowned trumpet player, composer and winner of a Latin Grammy, and his group Havana D’Primera to close the evening. On the other hand, the Gala Evening, in tribute to Cohiba on its 50th Anniversary, will feature performances by such distinguished artists as Chucho Valdés, the Cuban pianist and composer, winner of five Grammys and three Latin Grammys; Estrella Morente, the Spanish Flamenco singer; or Jorge Drexler, the Uruguayan singer and songwriter, winner of an Oscar and two Latin Grammys. They will share the stage with rising popular international names in Cuban music such as Alain Pérez, Geidi Chapman and Cucu Diamantes.
Talent will also be enjoyed at the International Habanosommelier contest, that this year celebrates its 15th anniversary, and will bring together the world’s best “Habanosommeliers”, the winners of all the previous editions, with the challenge of finding the “Maestro de Maestros” of Habanos pairings with the most famous drinks and cocktails.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7767951-top-music-artists-to-play-habanos-festival/
Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has named Hershel “Woody” Williams of Ona, West Virginia, as the Grand Prize winner of the 2016 Rare Life Award. Eagle Rare will donate $50,000 to Williams’ charity, the Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation, and host an awards ceremony in Lexington, Kentucky on February 27, 2016.
The Rare Life Award is an annual recognition program created to honor individuals who exhibit courage, leadership, survival, devotion, character and heroism. Candidates are nominated by friends, family and colleagues. Their stories and photos are posted online at www.eaglerarelife.com.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7761951-2016-rare-life-award/
Continuing the excitement of the Esurance Pass It On Sweepstakes, which kicked off on Feb. 4 and selected 16 winners of $50,000 throughout tonight’s game, Esurance released a new post-game television commercial announcing it is giving away a grand prize of $250,000 to one lucky winner. To win the final $250,000 giveaway, people can continue to Retweet messages from the Esurance Twitter handle tagged #EsuranceSweepstakes.
Esurance surprised viewers with a television commercial that aired immediately after tonight’s game featuring a special cameo from Deadpool catching a football made of money. The character is the titular anti-hero in 20th Century Fox’s DEADPOOL, which opens in theaters everywhere this Friday, and stars Ryan Reynolds. Throughout the ad, Deadpool and others continue to drop everything they are doing to catch the football and “pass it on,” much like how Esurance saves money and passes the savings on to its customers every day. As part of the Allstate family, Esurance has innovative technology and knowledgeable experts to take care of customers and help them make smart decisions about their insurance.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7750152-esurance-pass-it-on-post-game/
“Small Business Big Game" Ad Winner
Ad spending for commercials during Super Bowl 50, set to broadcast on CBS on Feb. 7, will total a record $377 million, according to Advertising Age Datacenter’s estimates. That’s more than the combined spend on all Super Bowl ads in the 1960s, '70s and '80s with a total of $299 million.
For all those interested in the pop culture phenomenon sure to unfold during Super Bowl’s commercial breaks, Advertising Age has launched its Super Bowl 50 Special Report. The hub, which will be updated daily before and several days after the game, is chock-full of news, trends, data and videos about the evolution of Super Bowl commercials over the last 50 years. It also includes a chart that lists every advertiser appearing during commercial breaks.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7737551-advertising-age-super-bowl-ad-trends/
With the 125th Red Kettle Campaign well underway, donors and supporters of The Salvation Army have rallied in pursuit of a new way to give to those in need: by entering their #RedKettleReason video for a chance to win The Salvation Army’s first-ever Giving Spree Contest. After five finalist videos were selected, and tens of thousands of votes from the public, the results are in.
Fifteen-year old Maddie Bonocore from Overland Park, Kan. was named the winner, receiving a paid trip to New York City to shop for toys and necessities for a local Salvation Army children’s program. Maddie shopped for the Kansas City Children’s Shelter, which provides shelter care for children unable to remain in their homes due to a family crisis, or issues of abuse and/or neglect.
Actor, producer, musician and Salvation Army supporter Nick Cannon helped announce the contest and joined Maddie for the shopping event. Highlights from the event were featured on TODAY.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7612654-salvation-army-redkettlereason-winner/
Food Network kicks off the New Year with a new season of Worst Cooks in America, the hit competition series that transforms kitchen disasters into skilled cooks, and five-time winner Chef Anne Burrell returning for a rematch against Chef Tyler Florence. Premiering on Sunday, January 3rd at 9pm ET/PT, the seven episode series pits Anne against Tyler, each leading a team of disastrous cooks in an intense kitchen boot camp designed to vastly improve the food skills of their recruits. The contestant who makes the most impressive culinary transformation is awarded a $25,000 grand prize, in addition to delivering victory and bragging rights for their team leader.
“Worst Cooks is comical, competitive and ultimately, inspiring,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Food Network. “Under Anne and Tyler's guidance, these cooking-challenged contenders transform their hilarious kitchen blunders to refined culinary techniques - and the journey is truly entertaining to watch.”
In the season premiere, Anne and Tyler are confronted with some of the worst cooks they've ever seen during an open casting call. They then chose fourteen recruits including a lunch lady, truck driver, Army veteran and special education teacher to send to boot camp, and each contestant whips up the “offending dish” that landed them in hot water. After a stomach-wrenching tasting, Anne and Tyler pick their teams and attempt to teach them to make a well-balanced meal. Two recruits are not up to the task, and are sent home. Upcoming episodes feature a game show - style battle called “Family Food,” internationally-flavored empanada and Asian street food challenges and a visit from the competitors’ loved ones. The season culminates in a finale on Sunday, February 14th at 9pm ET/PT where the most improved recruit is awarded $25,000 and bragging rights for their mentor.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7619231-food-network-worst-cooks-in-america/
In celebration of General Mills’ commitment to removing artificial flavors and colors from artificial sources from all of its cereals, the company is rolling out a three-week open casting call to find one real rabbit to be featured as the honorary face of Trix. Pet bunnies from across the country could be the #RealTrixRabbit and appear on limited run boxes in the winner’s hometown.
From real rabbits to pets in bunny costumes, kids, parents and family members are invited to snap pictures or take videos of their furry friends– and upload them to the www.RealTrixRabbit.com. Applicants can also scope out the competition and follow the journey to find the Real Trix Rabbit by following #RealTrixRabbit on social media from October 19, 2015 to November 8, 2015.
While the iconic Trix Rabbit isn’t going anywhere, Trix is removing artificial flavors and colors from artificial sources. This means using ingredients like fruit and vegetable juices and spice extracts such as turmeric and annatto to achieve the fun red, yellow, orange and purple colors while delivering the same great taste that adults and children have always enjoyed.
“The search for the honorary Real Trix Rabbit is a family-friendly opportunity to share our excitement with cereal fans as we introduce the new Trix recipe this January,” said Lauren Pradhan, senior marketing manager for General Mills’ Cereal division. “We are excited for families to experience the new Trix recipe as well as the recipes for other cereals and see for themselves that every spoonful will still deliver the great taste, quality and fun that General Mills cereals have always brought to their cereal bowl.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7664051-real-trix-rabbit/
Back for the 10th Edition is the world's premier freeride mountain bike event, Red Bull Rampage - the contest that puts the “mountain” back in mountain biking. All disciplines of riders including downhill, slopestyle and freeride mountain bike athletes converge on the demanding terrain of Virgin, Utah to compete for glory and bragging rights in one of the biggest tests of skill and guts in the world. The event will be broadcast live and on demand beginning October 16th at 12:30pm ET/9:30am PT exclusively on Red Bull TV as part of the Red Bull Signature Series, a collection of the most innovative and progressive events in action sports.
The stage is now set as the best riders from around the globe have arrived in the desert outside Zion National Park to begin practicing their runs. The only things that will separate a rider in the start gate from standing atop the podium 2,000 vertical feet below are the narrow, exposed ridgelines, 70-foot jumps over rocky canyons, and the near vertical drops. But for those who step-up to the challenge of man versus mountain, only one will be crowned king of the hill. Who will it be? Defending champion Andreu Lacondeguy from Spain? Can two-time winner Kyle Strait make it an unprecedented third? Or will regular contender for the Best Trick award, Cameron Zink, see his name listed at the top of the leader board? Watch Friday to find out!
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7627331-red-bull-signature-series/
Back for the 10th Edition is the world's premier freeride mountain bike event, Red Bull Rampage - the contest that puts the “mountain” back in mountain biking. All disciplines of riders including downhill, slopestyle and freeride mountain bike athletes converge on the demanding terrain of Virgin, Utah to compete for glory and bragging rights in one of the biggest tests of skill and guts in the world. The event will be broadcast live and on demand beginning October 16th at 12:30pm ET/9:30am PT exclusively on Red Bull TV as part of the Red Bull Signature Series, a collection of the most innovative and progressive events in action sports.
The stage is now set as the best riders from around the globe have arrived in the desert outside Zion National Park to begin practicing their runs. The only things that will separate a rider in the start gate from standing atop the podium 2,000 vertical feet below are the narrow, exposed ridgelines, 70-foot jumps over rocky canyons, and the near vertical drops. But for those who step-up to the challenge of man versus mountain, only one will be crowned king of the hill. Who will it be? Defending champion Andreu Lacondeguy from Spain? Can two-time winner Kyle Strait make it an unprecedented third? Or will regular contender for the Best Trick award, Cameron Zink, see his name listed at the top of the leader board? Watch Saturday to find out!
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7627331-red-bull-signature-series/
This month, stylish wearable hair brand Hairdo is launching a new campaign to find their next “It” Girl. As of Monday, October 5th, fans are now able to submit their best selfies that capture the brand’s fresh, fearless personality over Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using the tag #HairdoItGirl, or online at http://bit.ly/HairdoItGirlContest.
The grand prize winner will receive a 3-day trip to New York for a personalized makeover and photoshoot with celebrity stylist Kristina Barricelli, complete with $1000 for a Manhattan shopping spree. Ten runners-up will choose up to $500 worth of their favorite styles from the brand. Entries will be collected over the course of five weeks, and voting for the top girl will begin on Monday, November 11th. Voting will close on Monday, November 17th, and the winner will be announced the following Thursday, November 19th.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7648351-hairdo-it-girl-contest/