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APARTMENTS.COM ROOMMATE OF THE YEAR CONTEST OFFERS ULTIMATE BAILOUT PLAN FOR ONE LUCKY—AND FABULOUS—ROOMMATE
National Online Video Contest Offers Chance to Win Free Rent for One Year, up to $12,000, Plus $10,000 in Cash
CHICAGO (June 1, 2009) – Apartments.com is searching for acts of roommate greatness as it kicks off its first-ever Apartments.com “Roommate of the Year Contest.” While everyone can likely recount and relate to roommate horror stories, the “Roommate of the Year Contest” seeks to find the best roommate qualities by asking renters across the country to define and demonstrate what makes them America’s most desirable roommate. The “Roommate of the Year Contest” offers one lucky roommate the ultimate bailout plan by rewarding them with a year of free rent, up to $12,000, and an additional $10,000 in cash for showing off feats of roommate greatness. Renters are encouraged to submit short video entries at http://www.roommateoftheyear.com.
A recent national Apartments.com survey revealed that the downturn in the U.S. economy is the number one reason more and more renters are choosing to double up with roommates. From the survey, Apartments.com lists the top three reasons renters choose to live with a roommate as:
“We felt this data specifically reflected how the economy is directly affecting renters,” said Tammy Kotula, public relations and promotions manager, Apartments.com. “It inspired us to create our contest around a meaningful theme and reward for renters today.”
Renters are looking for roommates. More than 60 percent of renters surveyed said they currently live with a roommate and an additional 47 percent not currently living with a roommate plan to move in with one when their lease expires this year.
“This insight coupled with the current economic conditions underscores the importance of finding a compatible roommate, especially if this is a person you will be living with long term,” continued Kotula.
Renters are seeking responsible roommates. More than half of renters surveyed said they look for someone who is responsible and pays bills on time when asked which roommate qualities matter most.
“We designed this contest as a way to recognize renters that work at making the roommate living experience positive while having some fun along the way,” adds Kevin Doyle, general manager and senior vice president, Apartments.com. “Whomever your roommate may be—friend, significant other, spouse, child, parent, or even a pet, we’re looking to engage the millions of Americans who rent and reward one renter with an opportunity to win free rent for a year, up to $12,000, and have $10,000 in cash to spare.”
How to Enter
Get out the video camera, get creative and get one step closer to winning the ultimate bailout of free rent for a year, up to $12,000, plus $10,000 in cash. Renters across the nation are invited to enter the Apartments.com “Roommate of the Year Contest” by submitting a video entry of two minutes or less to http://www.roommateoftheyear.com. Entrants are challenged to showcase feats of roommate greatness by competing in one of five contest categories that define their inner roomie. For detailed information on how to enter, including specific video instructions, an official entry form and contest rules, go to http://www.roommateoftheyear.com. All entries must be received by noon EST on June 30, 2009.
Five Roommate Contest Categories
“Roommate of the Year Contest” entrants should distinguish themselves from all of the other roommates around the country. Finding the category that best defines their special roommate skills is job number one. Categories are: “The Coolest Crib” – for the roomie with the coolest stuff; “The Loveable Compulsive” – this roomie cooks, cleans and pays the bills ensuring the apartment is always in order; “The Superhero” – everyone has a hidden talent, this category is for the roomies that possess unique skills making their roommate value soar; “The Purr-fect Pet” – what makes a renter the best roommate to their pet(s); and, finally “The Individualist” – for the all-around “great guy or gal” who can squeeze every ounce of creativity and originality into an entry to make it stand out from the rest. Renters’ entries will be judged with equal weight on (1) originality and creativity, (2) overall “wow” factor, (3) persuasive argument and (4) style and production. Judging will take place in three stages.
The Ultimate Bailout: Free Rent for One Year, up to $12,000, Plus $10,000 in cash
All entries will be narrowed down to a field of up to 15 finalists across the five categories by a panel of judges looking for entries that best fit the criteria for “Roommate of the Year.” Once the finalists are selected, America, along with the panel of qualified judges, will vote for their favorite roomie using the judging criteria. Five winners (one in each category) will be selected. From the five winners, one grand prize winner will be named and will receive the $22,000 grand prize and roommate bragging rights. The four runner-up winners will each receive $500.
