W Network seeking experts

From a media release:

A NATIONWIDE SEARCH IS ON FOR THE NEXT W NETWORK EXPERT

• The W Experts Search is hunting for design divas, culinary creators and DIY gurus
• Audition online on wnetwork.com starting September 1

W Network, Canada’s #1 specialty channel for women, is on a nationwide hunt for new talent in the first-ever W Experts Search. Starting September 1, W Network is putting out an all-call to anyone with a distinctive expertise and a unique approach to health, home, beauty, design, finance, food and more, and asking them to post their audition videos on wnetwork.com.

“This contest is the perfect complement to W Network, with a significant portion of our prime time schedule already dedicated to programming featuring W Network’s roster of talented experts. The W Expert Search is a great way to find new and undiscovered talent, and build on this pool of expertise,” said Joanna Webb, Vice President, Programming, W Network.

From September 1 – October 13, W Expert hopefuls can submit their videos online at wnetwork.com (click here for image). Then, from October 13 – 26, Canadians will have their say, rating and commenting on their favourite online videos. On October 31, up to 20 finalists will be chosen from the submissions and put through a series of challenges that will also be featured online, narrowing the list down to approximately six favourites. These favourites will then have their skills and their TV talent put to the test in a one-hour programming special set to air on W Network in early 2009, to find out if they have what it takes to be called a W Expert.

Experts are wanted in the following areas:

• Beauty and style
• Food and nutrition
• Home and garden
• Health and wellness
• Personal development
• Shopping and money

To promote the W Experts Search, a multilayered campaign will roll out beginning September 1, including online, radio, transit shelter ads and customized TV promos (click here to view) featuring W Network’s Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic from Anna and Kristina’s Grocery Bag and The Shopping Bags, Candice Olson, host of Divine Design, Style By Jury’s David Clemmer and Alison Griffiths from Maxed Out.

Starting Monday, September 8, W Network drill teams will hit the streets of Toronto in a guerrilla-style expert search, challenging passers-by to find out if they have what it takes to be a W Network expert.

Video submission guidelines and rules and regulations can be found on wnetwork.com beginning Monday, September 1.