Charles Schwab, the financial and investment company, ran a contest called “Oh Chuck! I Blew My Cash.” It asked people to tell Charles Schwab the most ridiculous items or products they have blown money on. The company released this promotional “Minivan” video on Youtube to promote the contest.
It shows a women telling Chuck about how she came to buy a $20,000 minivan. She meet a guy, things were going really well, so he proposed! Of course he did what most guys would do at the site of a minivan… bolt! Chuck precedes to tell Carrie about what would have been better options for that money (I mean he is Charles Schwab) and says, “Minivans are just not cool!”
The story sounds so ridiculous, but it raises an important automotive question. What does this say about Minivans? Are they just so uncool that not even a billionaire financial adviser and successful entrepreneur like Charles Schwab can recommend buying one? Are minivans a signal in our culture and society the we are in fact “not cool” anymore? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.
If this story is true, I think Carrie should have win the contest! 🙂
Bridgestone recently opened up submissions for their 2012 Teens Drive Smart Video Contest. This contest gives students the chance to showcase their creative movie making skills, while trying to grab part of $50,000 in college scholarships Bridgestone is giving away.
The Teens Drive Smart Video Contest is looking for short automotive safety-themed videos, which encourages drivers to make good decisions behind the wheel. A good example for a theme would be “Don't text while driving.” (Something I am sure you don't do… right?)
Students who are between the ages 16-21 years old are eligible to enter. If you want to submit a video to be judged by Bridgestone the deadline is June 22nd, 2012.
After receiving the video submissions Bridgestone will have a panel of judges determine the Top 10 videos. These Top 10 will then be posted on Youtube, so the public can vote on on their favorites. The three videos that receive the most votes will win the coveted scholarships; The Grand Prize winner will receive $25,000; second place receives $15,000 and third place receives $10,000. Not too bad if you ask me!
The scholarships are not the only prize in the competition. The Grand Prize winner will have their video air on the MTV Jumbotron in Times Square in New York City during August. Just try to imagine the awesomeness of your video up on a Jumbotron!
Also, the Top 10 Finalists of the contest will have the chance to have their video used as a public service announcement (PSA) on television stations across the United States. In addition they will receive a new set of four Bridgestone or Firestone branded tires.
If you are interested in submitting a video, keep in mind your submission should make viewers be more more safety-conscious when using their vehicles. In addition the video should effectively and creatively communicate the message you are trying to get across. Last year's winner Amber Cullen won with her video, “The Phone Bandit.” You can also view last prior's winners via Teens Drive Smart website to get a better idea of what you should do for your video.
Each year the videos get more creative, fun, and interesting. I assume this year's contest won't be any different.
I am not eligible for this contest, but if I were I would try to use something crazy and fun. Like my talented singing dogs! (We even made an appearance on Anderson with Anderson Cooper at Lincoln Center! :))
Anyway, try to remember it’s not just about getting a scholarship for college but helping make people more aware of dangerous driving habits. Your video can potentially create safer drivers on our roads.
I think what most guys enjoyed at the 2012 Timonium Motorcycle Show, besides all the amazing motorcycles of course, was the International Bikini Team contest, which had several events over the three day show. The best event by far was obviously the Bikini Round. It was a definite highlight to see all those beautiful ladies walk around in minimal clothing. While the Bikini contest was taking place though someone several booths had some sort of medical emergency and the women hosting the contest ask, “Is there a Doctor here anywhere?” One of the Bikini contestants, Malissa, ran off the stage and through the crowd to help. She is a registered nurse. Additionally several of the other bikini contestants had similar training. I wasn't able to see what was going on, but it is nice to know beautiful Bikini clad ladies can help. When the Bikini contest resumed Hannah Baker was announced the winner. She will get a chance to compete in the International Bikini Team U.S. Finals in the Bahamas this coming August. What a lucky girl Hannah is! Second place was the Malissa Jayne and third place was Julia Tirenna. All the girls deserved a prize in my opinion though.
Some people might be excited about the Baltimore Auto Show that kicked off today. Those who love motorcycles in the Baltimore area should be equally excited. That is because the 2012 Timonium Motorcycle Show is this weekend and looks to be better than every.
The Timonium Motorcycle Show is the Mid-Atlantic regions largest motorcycle show and takes place at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. New bikes from all the major manufacturers will be covering over 175,000 sq ft. of indoor floorspace. There will also be custom bike galore as bikers car show off their motorcycles to win in the Bike Show in lots of different classes. Exhibitors will be selling all sorts of motorcycle goods, accessories, and services.
As usual Michele Smith, the actress and model who hosts “Two Wheel Thunder on the Discover Channel, will be at the show all three days. She will act as a host and master of ceremonies for several of the planned events. Emilo Rivera, who plays Marcus Alvarez on the hit FX show “Sons of Anarchy,” will be at the show on Saturday and Sunday to meet the fans. You can meet him up close and personal, but I hope he is nicer than his character on TV. Ron Finch, the famous custom bike builder, will be in attendance too. His motorcycles truly are works of art formed out of metal.
Something most guys will be looking forward to is the International Bikini Team competition taking place over the three days of the show. The lovely contestants will vie for a chance to win a spot to go to the International Bikini Team U.S. Finals in the Bahamas in August. I can imagine the competition will be strong and the girls will be pulling out all the stops to win. I will be looking forward to this.
If you love motorcycles, the 2012 Timonium Motorcycle Show will be the place for you to be this weekend. The show will be so jam packed with great events, motorcycles, and offerings it is hard to write about it all. Visit the website for more information and the schedule of events.
What: 2012 Timonium Motorcycle Show
When: February 10th-12th (Friday-Sunday)
Where: Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093
Admission: $15 for Adults ($10 with $5 off coupon via website), $5 for Children 10-15 years old, Free Children under 10
Do you want to go to the Baltimore Grand Prix? Well you are in luck! Mr. Tire is giving away 250 pairs of tickets to the 2011 Baltimore Grand Prix for Friday September 2nd. All you need to do is fill out and submit your information on the online entry form. Then you could win tickets to the event. You better hurry to enter as the sweepstakes ends August 22nd, 2011.
There is a catch. You can enter if you reside in Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia or West Virginia. If you live in other states… sorry you are not eligible. I assume most people within the specified entry states are most likely the majority of people who would be attending the Baltimore Grand Prix anyway.
The winners will be notified by email on August 24th. So don't make any plans for Labor day weekend if you enter. Remember this is big event for Baltimore. If you win some tickets I hope to see you there!