04 juni
VOLVO STUMPS WORLD’S TOP TREASURE HUNTERS
Volvo To Hold Rematch After Finalists Fail to Solve Final Puzzle in
Pirates of the Caribbean-Inspired Global Online Treasure Hunt
$50,000 in Gold Coins, Key to New Volvo Remain Unclaimed on the Ocean
Floor, ‘Somewhere In the World;’ Rematch Scheduled for June 5
Volvo Car Corporation is declaring a
‘do over’ in its global online treasure hunt after all 21 finalists
failed to solve the final puzzle within the given 24 hour time limit
this weekend. The 21 would-be pirates from all over the world gathered
at their respective computer screens Saturday for their ultimate chance
at claiming the prizeæa trip to recover a treasure chest filled with
$50,000 in gold doubloons and a key to a new Volvo from its watery
depths ‘somewhere in the world.’ But it turned out that Volvo had all
contestants ‘at sea’ with a final puzzle that proved too difficult for
even the hardiest pirates.
“We really didn’t see this coming,” said Linda Gangeri, national
advertising manager for Volvo Cars of North America. “Our Hunt has been
tough from the beginning and we have been in awe of all the amazing
puzzle-solving skills and sharp minds out there meeting us at every
twist and turn. We really didn’t expect to baffle our finalists with
the final puzzle. Who knew a car company could keep 21 pirates from
claiming precious treasure? For now, at least.”
The wildly popular Hunt, a month-long multi-media campaign developed as
part of Volvo’s sponsorship of the Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean:
At World’s End, attracted more than 32,000 online contestants from 22
markets around the world. Participants solved a series of puzzles that
led to a semi-final puzzle, Puzzle 21: World’s End, posted May 31. The
first contestant from each country to submit the correct answer then
went on to compete in the Final Leg. All participating markets were
represented in the Final Leg with the exception of Italy, who didn’t
have a participant submit a correct semi-final answer within the time
limit.
The first of the 21 finalists to solve the ‘do over’ final puzzle
Tuesday will be named the winner and receive a trip to the burial
location to retrieve the chest filled with $50,000 in gold and a key to
a new Volvo XC90. The finalists are:
- Andreas Aigner, Austria
- Konstantin Popov, Bulgaria
- Erin Chock, Canada
- Dennis Leifheit, Germany
- Cheuk Fung Leung, Hong Kong
- Andreas, Indonesia
- Yukio Takai, Japan
- Siew Hang Teh, Malaysia
- Patricia Gabriela Medrano Picon, Mexico
- Liss Johansen, Norway
- Aaron Joseph N. David, Philippines
- Jarosaw Nowakowski, Poland
- Ciprian Constantin Grosu, Romania
- Alena Zvereva, Russia
- Wilson Teo, Singapore
- Jungtae Ahn, South Korea
- Maria Qvick Faxa, Sweden
- Shih-En Chen, Taiwan
- Geranun Jiraboonyanon, Thailand
- Karyn Burgess, United Kingdom
- Deborah LaValley, United States
Forty-three-year-old Deborah LaValley from Juneau, Alaska, is ready for
the challenge. LaValley, who participated in last year’s Hunt too, is
thrilled with this year’s game. “I can’t stop thinking about different
scenarios or possible locations. I really have no idea what to expect.
I’m just excited that I get a second try at claiming the treasure.”
Once a winner has been declared, both final puzzles will be posted on
The Hunt Web site for all participants to test their puzzle solving
powers one last time.