Canadian publisher Raincoast Books is sponsoring a contest to promote the bestselling Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook franchise, inviting people to submit their own amateur instructional videos illustrating various “survival” tips, from (to use their examples) how to get gum out of your hair to how to win a hockey fight. Or, in the case of this promotional video, how to jump into a dumpster:
According to Monique Trottier, Raincoast’s internet marketing manager, putting that video up on YouTube has already landed the animator a gig making a rap video. Trottier adds that although they haven’t received a huge number of entries since the contest began two weeks ago, she expects the majority to arrive just before the entry window closes at the end of January. “This audience likes to spend a lot of time planning, creating and then adding finishing touches,” she says. “What I am hoping is that holiday time is typically when people receive new technology presents such as cellphones with video cameras, digital cameras, new computers, etc., and that during the holidays those folks will be looking for a fun way to test out their new toys.” The winner will receive a $500 shopping spree at one of several participating Canadian retailers…and, yes, you do have to be a Canadian resident to win.