Thirty Seconds Of Food

Imagine a big-foot burrito running through the woods or the Tooth Fairy leaving a tin-foil clad burrito under a man’s pillow instead of money. Though it may be a stretch of the imagination, that’s exactly the idea behind Chipotle’s 30 Seconds of Fame 2007 Contest.

The contest—in it’s second year—asks college students to submit 30-second television spots promoting the chain’s big burritos, the restaurant’s mission or the restaurant’s unique design.

A team from Colorado State University is one of 12 finalists in the contest that will be judged by a panel of judges including Chipotle marketing staff and advertising industry professionals.

It’s commercial features two young men looking for “Bigfoot Burrito” out in the woods. At the end, a “Big Burrito” mimicking Bigfoot is spotted. The commercial closes with Chipotle’s logo and a slogan that reads, “Our Bib Burritos Aren’t a Myth.”

Judges will rate the 30-second spots on creativity, production quality and how well the Chipotle’s brand is represented. The winner, which will be announced Nov. 14, will receive a $30,000 prize. Half of the money will be awarded to the team itself and the other half will go to the school.

Advertising, marketing, film and media departments from a number of schools around the country were invited to participate.

The first Chipotle was opened by Steve Ells near the University of Denver in 1993. Since then, the chain has expanded throughout the country.

For more information or to watch the videos, visit www.chipotle.com and scroll down to “vid contest.”