RICHMOND, Va. and ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Circuit City Stores, Inc. and Eastman Kodak Company today announced the 20 canine finalists in a nationwide search to find a star quality pooch to appear in a national TV commercial for Circuit City's firedog(SM) services unit. The contest also will raise up to $170,000 for humane societies, shelters and other animal charities around the country.
Nearly 7,000 photos were submitted during the first phase of the contest in November and early December. A panel of Kodak photographers selected the top 20 images of finalists from 14 states. From January 6 through 26, 2008, dog lovers from across the country are invited to visit http://www.firedog.com/kodak to vote for their favorite photo.
Contest finalists each will receive: -- $1,000 Circuit City gift card -- KODAK EASYSHARE 5300 All-in-One printer -- $1,000 donation to a local humane society of their choice
The Grand Prize Winner will be chosen based on the outcome of the online voting and also will receive:
-- Starring canine role in a firedog national TV commercial -- A $50,000 donation to a local humane society of the pet owner's choice -- KODAK EASYSHARE 1253 HD Zoom Digital Camera -- KODAK EASYSHARE HDTV Dock
In addition, the 20 humane societies chosen by the finalists will split a prize pool of up to $100,000 based on the results of the online voting. Altogether, the 20 animal charities could share donations totaling $170,000.
"We are pleased to support local humane society organizations while providing consumers with a fun opportunity to share their favorite pictures of their four legged friends," said Tim Palmer, Vice President Consumer Digital Group, Director Americas Marketing Center for Eastman Kodak. "Kodak is dedicated to helping people enjoy their images in all sorts of new ways, from our easy-to-use camera dock that streams photos onto your HDTVs to our new inkjet printers that make home printing truly affordable with their innovative low-cost, high fill ink cartridges."
"We're especially looking forward to this next phase of the contest," said Peter C. Weedfald, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Circuit City Stores, Inc. "Because Circuit City is donating one dollar for every online vote into a shared prize pool, up to $100,000, shelters across the country will benefit from the contest, and we're excited to be able to support their good works in the community."
Contest Finalists: -- Charlie, from Bradenton, FL, submitted by Nicole Luciana-Epperson, benefiting the Edward E. & Lillian H. Bishop Animal Shelter SPCA. -- Jasmine, from Matthews, NC, submitted by Miles Crawford Hamrick, Jr., benefiting the Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline -- Hidden Jewel, from Richmond, VA, submitted by Jillian Chilson, benefiting the Southside SPCA of Meherrin -- Jackson, from Castaic, CA, submitted by Susan Jane Chipperton, benefiting the New Leach on Life -- Summitt, from Mantua, NJ, submitted by Kimberly Taylor, benefiting the Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary -- Doni, from Florence, OR, submitted by Bob Fowner, benefiting the Florence Area Humane Society -- Sydney Blaze, from Olney, MD, submitted by Colleen Xydis, benefiting the Montgomery County Humane Society -- Shooter, from Marathon, FL, submitted by Mary Beth Martel, benefiting the Marathon Animal Shelter (Stand Up for Animals) -- Trinity, from Brockport, NY, submitted by Stacy Peck, benefiting the Lollipop Farm -- Spanky, from Eugene, OR, submitted by Edward Capelle, benefiting the Greenhill Humane Society -- Liker, from Laguna Hills, CA, submitted by Alexei Naumov, benefiting the Humane Society of Broward County -- Harley, from Mobile, AL, submitted by Derick Dockery, benefiting the SPCA -- Hank, from Raleigh, NC, submitted by David Masini, benefiting the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue -- Kirby, from Las Vegas, NV, submitted by Katie Aretos, benefiting the Nevada SPCA No Kill Animal Shelter -- Meka, from Johnstown, PA, submitted by Paul Reilly, benefiting Humane Society of Cambria Country Inc. -- Toby, from Atlanta, GA, submitted by Shane Matthews Edwards, benefiting the Atlanta Pet Rescue -- Bellatrix from Taneytown, MD, submitted by Heather Holman, benefiting the Rockbridge SPCA -- Milo, from South Daytona, FL, submitted by Patrick McMullen, benefiting the Halifax Humane Society -- Jonesy, from Nashville, TN, submitted by Sally Jo Bynum, benefiting the Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue -- Woody, from Spring, TX, submitted by Myca Dorucher, benefiting the Abandoned Animal Rescue
To qualify to receive a donation from the contest, a humane society must 1) be active in providing safe shelters, fostering, or adoptive services for canines, 2) be a "no-kill" shelter, and 3) be registered as a 501 (c)(3) tax- exempt free entity, subject to Sponsors' approval. Full contest rules available at http://www.firedog.com/kodak.
About firedog
Circuit City Stores, Inc. launched its firedog brand in response to a growing public demand for help with using and enjoying electronic products. Firedog provides a new level of personal computer services, home theater installations, integration of home electronics, automotive electronics and more.
About Circuit City Stores, Inc.
Circuit City Stores, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of consumer electronics and related services. The domestic segment operates through 676 Superstores and 12 other locations in 159 U.S. markets. The international segment operates through approximately 800 retail stores and dealer outlets in Canada. Circuit City also operates Web sites at http://www.circuitcity.com/, http://www.thesource.ca/ and http://www.firedog.com/.
About Eastman Kodak Company
Kodak is the world's foremost imaging innovator. With sales of $10.7 billion in 2006, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images and information in their life and work. Consumers use Kodak's system of digital and traditional products and services to take, print and share their pictures anytime, anywhere; Businesses effectively communicate with customers worldwide using KODAK solutions for prepress, conventional and digital printing and document imaging; and Creative Professionals rely on KODAK technology to uniquely tell their story through moving or still images. More information about Kodak is available at http://www.kodak.com/.
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