NYC - Amidst economic slide, people line up for loo job auditions

by Mritunjay | November 7, 2009 at 08:26 am
142 views | 26 Recommendations | 4 comments

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Charmin Toilet Paper

Charmin Toilet Paper

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While the world econmy is still struggling to get on its feet as the effects of economic meltdown continue the following read as a lucrative job posting to the New Yorkers:

Wanted: outgoing and enthusiastic applicants to work as restroom ambassadors in central New York location. Good pay.

With the unemployment rate crossing 10% in the U.S., hundreds of jobseekers applied on Thursday at the open auditions for the opportunity to interact with guests at the Times Square restrooms. The lure of a paycheck of $10,000 for six weeks' work seemed to generate a lot of interest. The five selected applicants will get to greet the guests who visit the rest rooms managed by the toilet paper manufacturer Charmin as well as the chance to comment and blog about the experience on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

"I'll glue myself to a toilet for $10,000," actor Carlos Lozada told the panel of casting agency judges who will select the winners of the national search.
 

Charmin has been setting up the toilets for past few years to provide relief for the tourists who visit the Midtown Manhattan during the holiday season. The company wanted to enhance the bathroom experience by introducing five bathroom ambassadors this year. The final five will be announced at the opening ceremony of the toilets on November 23.

The intensity of competition was clearly visible as participants from different backgrounds tried to prove their keeness and skills with many arriving in elaborate costumes. The competitors ranged from aspiring artists to students trying to raise tuition money and even a businessman who hoped to raise money to seed his enterprise.

As per Charmin's estimates about 500,000 people use the toilets every year, which are open during the last six weeks of the year.

"With like 10 percent of the public out of work Charmin thought ... why not elevate it to a situation where we could employ five ambassadors and really give them an amazing salary for an amazing job," said Phillip Sontag, senior vice president at MS&L, a public relations firm working for Charmin.

Besides these five ambassadors the company also employs up to 150 people to work in the washrooms, presumably at a less lucrative salary.

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1
Amy Judd

It's an amazing marketing project, and that is a lot of money for six weeks work. We've been seeing these more and more lately with the 'Best Job in the World' type ads.

1
Mritunjay

It sure is big money for a 6 week work and seems pretty glamorous too after looking at the profile of participants and the process!!

Thanks for reading, recommending and commenting.

0
Rory Cripps

Mritunjay: HA! Thanks for this one my friend!

0
Mritunjay

Anytime Rory!  :)

This story was created over 3 months ago, the comment thread is now closed.

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Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
First Flagged at 8:30 AM, Nov 7, 2009 by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
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