VIZIO Launches Back-To-School Success Contest To Reward Determined Collegians

IRVINE, Calif., July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- VIZIO, America's #1 Smart TV¹ and Sound Bar company² announced today the VIZIO Back-to-School Success contest, giving college students the opportunity to share a story of determination to further their education. Whether they worked two jobs through school, overcame a learning disability or were the first in their family to graduate and go on to college, many students have a special story of perseverance and success.  In this unique contest, students across the country are encouraged to visit http://www.VIZIO.com/student to upload a video or photo essay detailing a personal story of determination, telling VIZIO why they should win the grand prize. The winning student will receive a VIZIO prize package, including a 40" E-Series Smart TV, a new 2.1 Sound Stand perfect for bringing rich audio to the dorm room, $1,000 toward tuition, money for books and be able to help VIZIO give back to a local Boys & Girls Club in their college town. Through August 19^th, entries are being accepted and consumers will then be invited to help determine the winner by voting for their favorite story from August 20^th through August 27^th.

VIZIO is committed to recognizing hard work this school year and wants to help one lucky student go back-to-school in style.  In addition to a complete VIZIO product package – which includes a 40" E-Series Smart TV and 21" 2.1 Sound Stand – the Grand Prize winning student will receive $1,000 toward tuition, $1,000 toward textbooks and a 1-year Spotify Premium music subscription.

"VIZIO knows college isn't easy, and there are many students across the country who have endured hardships, but have continued to persevere to further their education," said Lily Knowles, Vice President of Product Marketing, VIZIO. "We're excited to reward a deserving student with much-needed funds to help out with their books and tuition, plus a VIZIO TV and Sound Stand to upgrade their dorm room."

One Grand Prize winner will receive the following prize package:

• VIZIO 40" Class Full-Array LED Smart HDTV (E400i-B2)
• VIZIO 21" 2.1 Sound Stand (S2121w-D0)
• $1,000 Tuition Credit
• $1,000 Textbook Credit
• 1-year Spotify Premium Subscription

Eleven Runner-Ups will receive:

• $100 Toward School Supplies
• 6-month Spotify Premium Subscription

In addition to their grand prize, the winning submitter will have the opportunity to help VIZIO present a donation to a charity in their college town. A local Boys & Girls Club in the Grand Prize winning submitter's college town will be rewarded with a 40" E-Series Smart TV, a 21" 2.1 Sound Stand to be placed in a common area and a $2,000 donation of school supplies including markers, crayons, pens, paper, scissors and more.

Members of the VIZIO Fandemonium program have the opportunity to earn points by submitting their own stories and voting for their favorite submissions. More information about VIZIO Fandemonium can be found at www.VIZIOFanZone.com.

The "Back-to-School Success" contest will also be promoted via VIZIO social channels. Submitters are encouraged to share on their own social networks using the hashtag #VIZIOBackToSchool to promote their unique story. Once a winner is selected, the winning submitter will be notified and the stage will be set to award the Grand Prize student as well as a Boys & Girls Club in their local college market.

More information about the "Back-to-School Success" contest can be found at http://www.VIZIO.com/student.

¹ The NPD Group / Weekly Tracking Service, Flat Panel TV units with Apps included, Dec 30 2012 – May 24 2014

² The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, units sold in the U.S., Jan 2011 – Dec 2013

About VIZIO

VIZIO, Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, California. In Q2 2007, VIZIO skyrocketed to the top by becoming the #1 shipping brand of flat panel HDTVs in North America and in Q3 2007 became the first American brand in over a decade to lead in North American LCD HDTV shipments. VIZIO was #1 in North America LCD for 2010¹. VIZIO is now also America's #1 Smart TV company⁴ and large size LCD company² as the leading seller of 60" and larger HDTVs in the U.S. with 30% of the market in this class². VIZIO is also the #1 Sound Bar Brand in the U.S³. For over a decade, VIZIO has remained committed to what it does best -- focus on the consumer to deliver visionary products at a great value. The brand is consistently recognized for excellence in customer service, and was awarded 19 Stevie Awards, including the Grand Stevie Award in the 8^th Annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. VIZIO offers a broad range of award winning consumer electronics that now include PCs and mobility products.  VIZIO's products are found at Amazon, Best Buy, BJ's Wholesale, Costco Wholesale, Sam's Club, Target, Walmart and other retailers nationwide. VIZIO has won numerous awards including 2014 Editor's Choice by Reviewed.com, "Best of CES 2014" by IGN, "Best of CES 2014" by PC Magazine and "Best of the Best 2014" by UltraHDTV Magazine for its Reference Series Ultra HD Full-Array LED Smart TV.  VIZIO's P-Series Ultra HD Full-Array LED Smart TV also captured Reviewed.com's 2014 Editor's Choice award and was also recognized by The Verge as "Best TV of CES" for 2014 as well as awarded "Best of CES" by Complex and "Best of Show" by Wired for 2014.  VIZIO also earned #1 ranking in the Inc. 500 for Top Companies in Computers and Electronics and made the lists of Ad Age's Hottest Brands, CNET's Editor's Choice, CNET Best of CES 2011 - Television, CNET Best of CES 2013 – Home Theater and Audio, Sound & Vision's Top Picks, Good Housekeeping's Best Big-Screens, PC World's Best Buy and Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice among many other prestigious honors.  For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit www.VIZIO.com.

¹ DisplaySearch Market Tracker Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report

² The NPD Group / Weekly Tracking Service, Large Size includes 60"+, Q2 2013 units sold

³ The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, units sold in the U.S., Jan 2011 – Dec 2013

⁴ The NPD Group / Weekly Tracking Service, Flat Panel TV units with Apps included, Dec 30 2012 – May 24 2014

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SOURCE VIZIO, Inc.