7-Eleven Inc. is introducing “Battle of the Bands,” an in-store and online promotion that puts 28 bands from across the nation in a music video competition at www.slurpee.com and adds an in-store first: three colorful 32-ounce guitar-shaped Slurpee cups and a giant 54-ounce guitar-shaped Big Gulp cup.
The Big Gulp guitar cup is available in both blue and red, has its own custom guitar strap and straw and is replicated after the guitar controllers in today’s popular rock music video games.
Each of the five guitar cups come with stickers that can be used to personalize the cup. In addition, three collectible Slurpee straws feature psychedelic guitars, each with a unique design that can be removed and used as a backpack clip or keychain.
Slurpees also will come in a new flavor for the promotion, called Battle Berry, which will be September’s featured Slurpee flavor. Battle Berry, a sweet and tart combination created by The Coca-Cola Company, blends the new yumberry super-fruit flavor with currant and other berries.
At the core of the promotion is an online “Battle of the Bands” that includes a top prize of $10,000 for the last band standing. The final four each will receive a $1,000 prize and a custom-made electric guitar designed like a giant Slurpee cup.
Almost 70 bands submitted music videos of original songs. According to contest requirements, songs could be no less than four minutes and could not contain offensive material. Of those submitted, 28 bands were selected to participate in the online competition that has visitors to the Slurpee Nation Web site voting for their favorite throughout September. These 28 will receive $500 7-Eleven gift cards.
After the first round of voting, the field will be narrowed to 16 contestants placed in a bracketed tournament. Bands will then compete head-to-head until a winner is named.
The Slurpee Concert Series continues in September with performances in six cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Dallas and Miami. Tickets are an affordable $7.11 (plus taxes and fees) for general admission and are available at www.livenation.com. Bowling for Soup is the featured artist in all cities except San Francisco, where Honor Society will headline.
“This is the first time Slurpee has sponsored grassroots music competition with music-lovers from around the country picking the winners,” said Jay Wilkins, 7-Eleven brand manager for proprietary cold beverages. “That, along with the cool guitar cups and affordable Slurpee concert series bring the music, and of course Slurpee and Big Gulp drinks, to the people.”