The following is a preview of my column in the February 귀트영 text book:
HI-HO, HI-HO,
It’s off to Queensland we go!
Back in August of 2009, 귀트영 in partnership with Tourism Queensland, Clarins and Webtour, decided to bring a unique campaign, never before done at EBS. We started “The Best Holiday in the World” event where we gave away a free vacation to the beautiful Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. I take that back, we didn’t really give it away; we made you work for it. This month, the winner of this campaign will be cashing in on the prize, so let’s go review what unfolded.
“The Best Holiday in the World” campaign was divided into two phases. In the first phase, listeners had to apply to participate in one of two “Open Studios” conducted in September and October of last year. We picked 5 participants to come into the studio to partake in a quiz show where we picked one finalist from each “Open Studio.” The participants had to answer Queensland-related questions and the show was aired on the last Saturday of September and October.
Let me just tell you, the level of talent we got for our “Open Studios” was very high. In our Open Studio in September, a young college student separated herself from the pack. I mean it was pretty amazing to see people come to the radio station armed with literally stacks of notes and facts about Queensland, Australia.
It’s always hard to be the first one to do anything and our first “Open Studio” group did experience the added difficulties of being the first group to start off the campaign. Our eventual finalist, 엄아름, despite coming late to the recording, didn’t let her tardiness get to her nerves, as she dominated the competition. She was clearly the runaway victor and rode a huge wave of momentum heading into the finals.
The Participants of the September Open Studio.
The Participants of the October Open Studio.
Our second Open Studio preliminary was a big contrast from the first in September. We did not have a run away winner like the first as it was a back and forth affair amongst all the participants. It was really anybody’s game and we literally had to go to tape replays to determine who was first in calling out their call signs to answer questions. No one was giving an inch. It was the definition of the term, “neck and neck.” But in the end, after everything played out, it was determined that 최재은 was going to be our second finalist.
The stage was set now. It was the young college student 엄아름 versus the young professional 최재은. Their task was to create a video showing their “future trip” to Brisbane. The judges who were going to determine the final winner: the 귀트영 listeners through an Internet vote over a 2.5 week period.
엄아름- college student
최재은 – young professional
Oh man, throughout the entire 2.5 weeks, I checked the results everyday to see the percentages seesaw back and forth between the two finalists. It seemed like 엄아름 was starting to pull away heading into the last several days, but in the end, it was 최재은 taking the 6 day trip to the Gold Coast for her and her friend by winning 53% to 47% in a dramatic come from behind victory.
재은 will be taking that long awaited vacation early this month. 귀트영 will make sure to make her post pictures and accounts of her travels in Queensland. We look forward to hearing back from her and seeing what she thought about the Gold Coast.
The entire 귀가 트이는 영어 staff and EBS would also like to thank our sponsors for this awesome campaign once again, Webtour, Clarins and finally Tourism Queensland. Oh, we can’t forget to thank our listeners for making it such a huge success. Thanks to everyone who applied, who participated and who voted! A BIG THANK YOU to EVERYONE!!!
