Today marked the start of the Aveo Livin’ Large Campus Challenge (http://www.aveolivinlarge.com/). Beginning at 11 a.m. EST, two students at each of the participating universities began living in a 2007 Chevy Aveo (http://www.chevrolet.com/aveo/) sedan and will do so until Friday, Nov. 3, at midnight.
Participating contestants and their universities are
• Jamie Williams and Allison Lavey; Boston University, Boston
• Eric Schackne and Filup Molina; University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
• Gerald Ashby and Evita Gates; Howard University, Washington D.C.
• Arya Khatiwoda and Keriann Zolman; Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.
• Neal Sales-Griffin and Mario Montes Sujo; Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.
• Dolce Wang and Anna Grigoryan; University of Southern California, Los Angeles
• Chris Qualls and Cohlby Youtsey; Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Tex.
The students will only be able to leave the car to attend class and for occasional “bio-breaks.” The rest of the time they have to be in the car or touching it. Webcams mounted inside and outside each car will stream video to the web site, where readers can see what the contestants are up to, read their blogs and vote for their favorite team (i.e., whoever they think is living the largest!). Viewers can vote online or can text their vote. (See the web site for more details. http://www.aveolivinlarge.com/) Contestants also are expected to help direct traffic to the “Livin’ Large” site through their personal Facebook and MySpace Web pages.
Each team’s goal is to attract as much in-person and online attention as possible and rack up the most votes during the week. The students will stage various creative, entertaining and philanthropic activities from the Aveo to draw traffic to the car and the Aveo Livin’ Large web site.
Whichever team accumulates the most votes by this Friday will be named the winner of three new 2007 Chevy Aveo sedans — one for each team member and one for their university.
“We’re looking for students to epitomize the Chevy Aveo ‘Livin’ Large’ theme and expect contestants who draw the most online votes to be the ones who really demonstrate through their activities what the Aveo is all about — expressive, stylish and fun,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet General Manager.
The Chevy Aveo Livin’ Large program is also an academic endeavor that offers students practical experience in communications and public relations around the launch of the all-new 2007 Chevy Aveo. Chevy is working with Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapters to help tailor the program to each university and to execute the campaign.
About Chevrolet Aveo
Originally introduced in January of 2004, the Aveo is Chevy’s entry-level small car. Aveo has a starting price of $9,995. The newly designed 2007 Aveo sedan expresses “youthful refinement” and is described as being high in style and progressive in attitude. The 2007 Aveo offers generous standard features such as an auxiliary iPod jack and standard front and side airbags. Numerous options such as a premium audio system with steering-wheel mounted controls, 6-CD changer, remote keyless entry and power sunroof are unique in this segment.
About Chevrolet
Chevrolet is America’s No. 1-selling automotive brand. With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $78,175. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles.
About the Public Relations Student Society of America
The Public Relations Student Society of America (www.prssa.org) is the world’s pre-eminent, pre-professional public relations organization. Founded in 1968 by its parent Society, PRSA, the organization has grown to more than 9,000 members and 275 Chapters at colleges and universities in 43 states and the District of Columbia.