Budget and 'Weird U.S.' to Promote Weird Places in America Via Online Road Trip Contest
Winners of 'Up Your Budget' Contest can Win $160,000 in Prize Money
PARSIPPANY, N.J., June 5 -- Tired of the same old road trips to the usual tourist-filled landmarks? Why not make this the year to take a completely new and different kind of vacation or scenic drive, and visit some of the most weird and unusual places America has to offer. Or, visit these strange and bizarre tourist attractions online -- and possibly win cash! Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. today unveiled a new online contest aimed at giving registered participants a chance to learn and share information about weird and memorable destinations and possibly win up to $160,000 in total prize money being given at http://www.upyourbudget.com/. The contest is being hosted in the form of a blog allowing registered participants to play virtually from any computer.
From June 5 through June 30, 2006, Mark Sceurman and Mark Moran, the founders and publishers of "Weird U.S.," a travel guide to unique and mysterious places not often found on state maps or tourist guidebooks, will be traveling on a road trip to some of the weirdest spots in America, and will post three video clues to their whereabouts each day to http://www.upyourbudget.com/. Examples of some of the weird and unusual places featured in Weird U.S. include a house in Rockport, Mass. that is made entirely of paper; unexplainable underwater pyramid rock formations in Wisconsin; or the mysterious lights of Marfa, Texas. Participants will be competing to guess what final destination Weird U.S. is heading to, and how many total miles it will take to get there. Registered participants will log in daily to view the video clues that will be posted by Weird U.S. Budget will award the first player with the closest guess to the exact mileage for the total weird trip of the week with a grand-prize. Winners of the four-week contest can win up to $25,000 a week for the grand prize, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third place.
"Budget is proud to partner with Weird U.S. and promote a unique online experience that will be fun for the players and give them a chance to win some lucrative cash prizes," said Scott Deaver, executive vice president of marketing for Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC, parent company of Budget. "Visitors will also get to tap into interesting travel spots that Weird U.S. points out. As the contest evolves and the community builds, the content will expand and offer visitors a continually fresh experience."
In addition, visitors to the blog can also post their own ideas for the weirdest spots in the country. Each week one winning spot will be chosen. Winners will receive an autographed copy of "Weird U.S.: Your Travel Guide to America's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets" by Mark and Mark.
To participate in the "Up Your Budget" contest, players need to register in advance at http://www.upyourbudget.com/ and complete an Official Entry Form.
To make a car rental reservation, visit http://www.budget.com/. About Budget
Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. is the owner and franchiser of one of the world's best-known car rental brands with more than 1,800 car rental locations in the US, Canada, Latin America, Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand. The company also operates Budget Truck Rental and is part of Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC (formerly Cendant Car Rental Group), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cendant Corporation , a diversified global provider of business and consumer services primarily within the travel and real estate sectors. For further information visit http://www.budget.com/ or http://www.cendant.com/media.