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HoJo and Harlem Globetrotters Spread Happiness With The Give Happy Challenge

^{Published on 2009-12-15 06:57:54 - Market Wire}
 

PARSIPPANY, NJ--(Marketwire - December 15, 2009) - [ Howard Johnson® ] and the Harlem Globetrotters, the globally-recognized Ambassadors of Goodwill™, have teamed up to create The Give Happy Challenge, a competition that encourages people throughout the U.S. and Canada to make others happy -- and provides them with a chance to win a personal visit from the Globetrotters as well as $15,000 to help keep their happy efforts going.

To enter the challenge, happy contestants should visit [ thegivehappychallenge.com ] to submit their entry via a video clip or an essay that illustrates how their ideas spread happiness. Entries will be accepted through March 15, 2010. Eight finalists, aided by stars from the Globetrotters, will be featured on [ thegivehappychallenge.com ] Web site beginning May 1, 2010, when voters throughout North America can then elect a winner.

The winner will be announced on or about June 21, 2010 -- the first day of summer and traditionally the happiest day of the year.

"From the days of ice cream and orange roofs to today's Go Happy. Go HoJo® campaign, the Howard Johnson brand has always been about making people happy," said Howard Johnson Brand Senior Vice President [ Rui Barros ]. "Furthermore, the Harlem Globetrotters have always been devoted to the mission of spreading fun and cheer. The Give Happy Challenge brings together these two iconic and philanthropic brands to encourage and reward those who spread happiness in their communities."

The Give Happy Challenge is part of a new one-year sponsorship that makes the Howard Johnson chain the official hotel brand of the Harlem Globetrotters. The deal includes sponsorship of the team's 2010 North American tour, which begins Dec. 26 and enables the Howard Johnson brand to include the team in its advertising.

"The Globetrotters' association with HoJo is a natural fit," said Harlem Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. "These are two classic American brands that have been committed to making families smile for more than eight decades, and we are excited to join together to continue spreading a message of happiness to people throughout the world."

The Original Harlem Globetrotters are embarking on their record 84th consecutive season of touring the world. The Globetrotters have played in 120 countries on six continents, entertaining more than 130 million fans and crossing barriers between cultures, societies and people from all walks of life. The Globetrotters are one of only six teams to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Howard Johnson International, a member of the Wyndham Hotel Group family of lodging brands, is a global chain of primarily midscale and economy hotels featuring single, double and suite accommodations. All properties in the U.S. and Canada, and most properties in other regions, offer complimentary high-speed Internet access, expanded cable television, in-room coffee and weekday newspaper. Select hotels offer complimentary Rise & Dine® continental breakfast and allow pets.

Reservations and information are available by calling (800) 446-4656 or by visiting [ www.howardjohnson.com ]. All Howard Johnson hotels are independently owned and operated. Howard Johnson International is an indirect subsidiary of [ Wyndham Worldwide Corporation ] (NYSE: [ WYN ]).