South China Morning Post
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Reality comes calling on lively grannies

Andrew Sun
Vivian Chen
Andrew SunandVivian Chen
Why you can trust SCMP

It's not a reality show, but a contest by soya bean product maker Pak Fook sounds like one. The company just launched a citywide search for a 'granny' to be its advertising and promotional face for the next three years. The reward? Instant fame and HK$1 million in cash.

The campaign was launched on Wednesday with the three judges, television chef Chow Chong, Nestle (which owns Pak Fook) executive Franck Leyze and singer Alex Fong Lik-sun in attendance. The contest has five rounds. From now until May 23, grandmothers and any women over 45 (permanent residents of Hong Kong or Macau) are invited to upload a three-minute video to www.pakfookgranny.com.hk showing their lively personality. Roving audition trucks will also start to appear in busy areas. By a public poll on the same website, 12 finalists will be selected.

Next, the candidates will have to do a video sales pitch with Pak Fook soya bean drinks, desserts and tofu. The grannies will then be whittled down to a final eight. The remaining lot will start making various public and school appearances and even learn to do tai chi at the St Paul's ruins in Macau. By elimination, the eight will be cut down and the judges will decide the winner from the last three in a cook-off. Sounds just like a Pak Fook version of Project Grandma (or should that be Hong Kong's Next Top Po-Po?).

Friends and family are encouraged to nominate any particularly outgoing, funny and engaging grandmas and aunties, and can even appear in the introductory videos. Full details can be found at www.pakfookgranny.com.hk.

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