Grab your 30 seconds of fame

If you’re looking for 30 seconds of fame but don’t have an agent, a SAG card or live in Hollywood, Taco Bell’s TV Me! might be your ticket to stardom. And all you need is a digital photo and a little creativity.
Taco Bell has partnered with Gizmoz and MTV in search of three virtual consumer actors to star as animated talking characters in a 30-second Taco Bell® television commercial. The ad for Fourthmeal — the late night meal between dinner and breakfast — will debut worldwide during the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on September 9, 2007.
"Our 18 to 24 year old customers are all about creating their own videos and content online, and this consumer-generated ‘avatarsment’ gives us an opportunity to think outside the bun while getting them inside our ads,” said Bob Fulmer, interim Chief Marketing Officer, Taco Bell Corp. “And if starring in a television commercial weren’t enough, who wouldn’t want to debut their 3D animated talking avatar in front of millions of viewers during MTV’s highest rated music awards show, the VMAs.”
Using Gizmoz.com’s photorealistic avatars, consumers can audition for the Taco Bell TV Me! search by simply uploading a digital photograph. In less than a minute, their 3D lifelike head and personalized body is automatically created. Consumers can use a microphone to record their own voice for their 15-second, lip-synched audition. Auditions will be judged on personality, originality, overall appeal and ability to express oneself.
“Taco Bell, MTV and Gizmoz are at the forefront of leveraging the power of avatars and user-generated content to enhance the brand experience online and in traditional media,” said Eyal Gever, CEO of Gizmoz. “This leading-edge campaign of self expression and storytelling gives all consumers, regardless of their technical background, the opportunity to demonstrate their individuality and unique style online and potentially star in a major TV commercial during the MTV VMAs with their Gizmoz avatar.”
“As always, we look to connect with our audience in the ways they consume media that are beyond television,” said Tim Rosta, senior vice president, Integrated Marketing, MTV. “This partnership with Taco Bell and Gizmoz delivers a new twist to our audience’s insatiable appetite for user-generated content, and besides, everyone looks good as an avatar.”
To access complete search rules, see sample Gizmoz 3D animated talking characters and to audition for Taco Bell’s TV Me! promotion, consumers can visit www.tacobell.com . Taco Bell TV Me! participants can also view sample Gizmoz 3D animated talking characters as well as other auditions. After submitting their audition, users can send to a friend or post their Gizmoz on any blog, video site or social networking profile, or rate other auditions.
The TV Me! promotion marks Taco Bell’s first entry into leveraging consumer-generated media advertisements. The promotion will be supported by online banner ads, keyword search buys and with a co-branded spot that will air on MTV leading up to the VMAs. Promotional elements and the final spot are being produced by Draftfcb Irvine. Terms of the marketing support were not disclosed.
Search Rules & Regulations
There is no purchase necessary to audition. Taco Bell is inviting all legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia (except residents of AL & NE which must be 19 years of age or older), 18 and older as of July 9, 2007, to enter the Taco Bell TV Me! promotion for a chance to be featured in a Fourthmeal commercial. Professional talent, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, are not eligible to audition to participate in the Search. To audition, log on to www.tacobell.com between July 9, 2007 and July 22, 2007. Limit one audition per person, per household. The persons selected will be notified by telephone on or about July 25, 2007. See rules at www.tacobell.com for details.