Tiremaker to use GPS-based geocaching to hide thousands of miniature Michelin Man tire pressure gauges; prizes include MICHELIN® tires and an all-expenses-paid trip for two
GREENVILLE, S.C., (Sept. 8, 2014) – In 1889, brothers Édouard and Andre Michelin founded the French tire company that would grow to become an industry leader in innovation, quality and global market share. Fittingly, to commemorate this anniversary, Michelin North America is encouraging people to travel in search of the famous Michelin Man in order to win prizes.
Called “Michelin’s Quest for Adventure,” the contest is being conducted with Geocaching—the world’s largest location-based activity. The Michelin geocaching contest will award prizes to individuals who find one of nearly 1,500 Michelin Man tire pressure gauges hidden across the United States and who then share the most creative, adventure-inspired photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the campaign’s hashtag #MichelinQuest.
“We are thrilled to partner with the geocaching community here in the United States to mark the 125th anniversary of the founding of Michelin,” said Jennifer Smith, director of brands for Michelin North America. “Geocaching combines ingenuity, a passion for exploration and the outdoors with a mindfulness of the environment. These are the same values that run through the core of Michelin’s business and have remained that way for more than a century now.”
Each Michelin Man digital tire pressure gauge has a unique alphanumeric code that makes it trackable.
The contest begins Sept. 8
In the first phase of the contest, geocachers will voluntarily distribute the 1,500 Michelin Man tire gauge trackables throughout the United States. Within days, all trackables will be hidden and logged.
(Geochachers who would like to participate in the distribution should request a unique trackable at Michelin.geocaching.com)
Grand prizes for the best photos
To participate, users can create a free account on Geocaching.com, and use a GPS device or smartphone and navigate to a Michelin Man trackable in a geocache nearby.
Once discovered, participants should record their find with an original, creative picture. Next, they log the find and share the photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the #MichelinQuest tag. The photo posting of the Michelin Man trackable serves as registration for one of the prizes.
The Michelin Man does not have to stay in his original location. Participants are encouraged to move him from geocache to geocache across the country – documenting his adventure and logging his new location for others to find.
The 10 best photos will win a set of MICHELIN® passenger car or light truck tires worth up to $1,000.
Those photos will then be added to the MichelinUSA official Facebook page where the photo that garners the most likes will win the grand prize – choosing between two incredible experiences. The first is a fine dining experience at the exclusive gala to celebrate the release of the MICHELIN Guide in New York City, San Francisco or Chicago. The MICHELIN Guide has been the gold standard in fine dining since 1900. The second option is to attend one of the inaugural Formula E races in either Miami or Los Angeles. Formula E is the all-new, electric race car series.
Participants should keep in mind that if their social media account or photo is private or protected, photos will not be visible and thus not considered for the contest.
Michelin’s Quest for Adventure is open to all legal residents of the United States and will run from Sept. 8 to Dec. 31, 2014.
More details, along with contest rules and information can be found by visiting the campaign’s website: http://michelin.geocaching.com.
About Geocaching
Geocaching is dedicated to inspiring discovery, exploration and adventure through location-based technology. Geocaching provides the listings and tool set, through the Geocaching suite of apps and Geocaching.com, to find more than 2.5 million hidden geocaches in more than 180 countries around the world. Geocaching.com launched in 2000 and employees 75 people at its Seattle headquarters.