CHICAGO, July 19, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Saturday, September 10, 2011, social media mavens exercise their savvy skills as they navigate their way around Chicago seeking scavenges, looking for money saving clues and completing physical tasks. Teams of two will complete their tasks by checking-in on Foursquare and tweeting their finds.
Teams will have the opportunity to put their Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Foursquare skills to the test during the digital prelude to Downtown Dash. The social engagement competition is a virtual contest that starts on Monday, August 8th and ends on Thursday, September 8th, 2011. Downtown Dash teams will vie against each other online in a pre-game battle designed to measure the influence teams have over their social-sphere.
The "real life" scavenger hunt takes place on September 10, 2011. Teams will start at the ING DIRECT Café and head out on a four-hour quest. Downtown Dash is designed to provide an interactive adventure for Chicago's most active social media lovers while strengthening the relationship between event partners and their audiences.
"We worked hard to find event partners that are receptive to hyper-local marketing efforts, enthusiastic about creating a one-of-a-kind social media experience, and interested the Chicago market. Downtown Dash event partners agree with our vision, that creating a unique and memorable experience for participants goes a lot farther than bombarding participants with branded messaging," said Leyla Arsan, of Lotus Marketing Services, creator of Downtown Dash. "Along with an afternoon of fun, the scavenger hunt is designed to educate participants on money saving strategies."
100 teams of two will be chosen to participate in Downtown Dash Presented by ING DIRECT and can apply at http://www.downtowndash.net/register. Submissions will be evaluated based on a set of criteria including level of social engagement and online activity. The cost of the event is $70 per team.
Downtown Dash teams will search for locations and/or items from a list of clues. As each item is recovered, teams will be required to check-in on Foursquare and share their findings on Twitter using the event hashtag #DTDash. Points will be awarded in real time by the judges, who will be monitoring throughout the experience. No cars or taxis allowed: Participants will be making their way around Downtown Chicago by running, walking or taking the CTA (a Day Pass will be provided).
Downtown Dash Presented by ING DIRECT will be capped off by a post-event awards celebration where the teams and their friends can regroup after their adventure, share their victories with cocktails and appetizers. Prizes such as (2) Blackberry Playbooks, (2) ING DIRECT selected bikes, and (2) Orange Savings Accounts valued at $100 USD will be awarded at the end of the evening (other prizes to be determined). For more information, please visit www.downtowndash.com
About Lotus Marketing Services
Lotus Marketing Services is an integrated marketing consultancy that specializes in lifestyle marketing and communicating with cultural influencers. Lotus Marketing Services delivers custom event marketing programs, sponsored events, customer events, communications services, content strategy, social media strategy and management. Lotus Marketing Services works with clients in both traditional marketing and the online space.
About ING DIRECT USA
ING DIRECT, the nation's largest direct bank and largest thrift, is dedicated to inspiring Americans to become a nation of savers. Since its inception in 2000, more than 7.6 million Americans have entrusted their savings with ING DIRECT, building the bank to nearly $91.3 billion in assets. ING DIRECT has developed a comprehensive social media Savers Community, including Twitter, Facebook and it's We, The Savers blog. For more information about ING DIRECT call 1-800-ING-DIRECT, and for information about its commitment to financial education visit Planet OrangeSM.
Contact:
Leyla Arsan
312.970.0659
Leyla@downtowndash.net
This information was brought to you by Cision: http://www.cisionwire.com
http://www.cisionwire.com/downtown-dash/r/clash-of-the-social-media-titans-set-for-downtown-dash-presented-by-ing-direct,c9145893
The following pictures are available for download:
| [Image] | Downtown Dash |