j-6
08-23-2005, 11:44 AM
EchoStar will give away free service to the first town that agrees to change its name to DISH.
August 23, 2005: 10:29 AM EDT
http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/23/news/funny/dish/index.htm?cnn=yes
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Satellite television company EchoStar is willing to give away its service to all residents of a lucky town for 10 years. But there's a catch.
The town must legally (and permanently) rename itself DISH, in honor of the name of EchoStar's service.
"As part of DISH Network's re-branding efforts and new advertising campaign trumpeting 'Better TV for All,' we invite a city or town to join us by re-branding itself DISH," said EchoStar president Michael Neuman in a written statement Tuesday.
The company said that it will accept submissions up until November 1 and that every household within the winning municipality will receive a free DISH Network satellite TV receiver, free standard installation and programming for 10 years.
If any town decides to become DISH, this wouldn't be the first time that one has agreed to change its name at the behest of a corporate sponsor.
In 2000, the small town of Halfway, Ore., agreed to change its name to Half.com in exchange for $60,000 and 20 computers from the online retail company, which is now a subsidiary of eBay (Research).
Separately Tuesday, EchoStar announced another contest as part of its new promotional campaign to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
It is giving anyone who goes to the company's Web site and enters its "Reach for the Stars" contest the chance to have their name written on the next EchoStar satellite to be launched into space. This contest will last until September 30.
The randomly chosen winner will also win $1000 and a trip for two to California for a rocket signing ceremony. The satellite, EchoStar's tenth, will be launched sometime next year.
EchoStar (Research), with about 11 million customers, is locked in a fierce battle with larger rival DirecTV (Research), which has 14.6 million customers, as well as cable companies.
August 23, 2005: 10:29 AM EDT
http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/23/news/funny/dish/index.htm?cnn=yes
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Satellite television company EchoStar is willing to give away its service to all residents of a lucky town for 10 years. But there's a catch.
The town must legally (and permanently) rename itself DISH, in honor of the name of EchoStar's service.
"As part of DISH Network's re-branding efforts and new advertising campaign trumpeting 'Better TV for All,' we invite a city or town to join us by re-branding itself DISH," said EchoStar president Michael Neuman in a written statement Tuesday.
The company said that it will accept submissions up until November 1 and that every household within the winning municipality will receive a free DISH Network satellite TV receiver, free standard installation and programming for 10 years.
If any town decides to become DISH, this wouldn't be the first time that one has agreed to change its name at the behest of a corporate sponsor.
In 2000, the small town of Halfway, Ore., agreed to change its name to Half.com in exchange for $60,000 and 20 computers from the online retail company, which is now a subsidiary of eBay (Research).
Separately Tuesday, EchoStar announced another contest as part of its new promotional campaign to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
It is giving anyone who goes to the company's Web site and enters its "Reach for the Stars" contest the chance to have their name written on the next EchoStar satellite to be launched into space. This contest will last until September 30.
The randomly chosen winner will also win $1000 and a trip for two to California for a rocket signing ceremony. The satellite, EchoStar's tenth, will be launched sometime next year.
EchoStar (Research), with about 11 million customers, is locked in a fierce battle with larger rival DirecTV (Research), which has 14.6 million customers, as well as cable companies.