Esurance And West Coast Customs Put Fans In The Drivers Seat With #FANtasyBuild Contest

SAN FRANCISCO, April 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Esurance and West Coast Customs (WCC) today announced the kickoff of #FANtasyBuild. For the first time ever, fans can help concept a West Coast Customs build and create the car of tomorrow.

The #FANtasyBuild contest, powered by Esurance, asks fans to submit innovative ideas for creating the most modern vehicle on the road. Fans can enter ideas as many times as they'd like.

The top five most creative and innovative (yet practical) #FANtasyBuild suggestions will be added to the 2014 Jeep Compass build vehicle, and the five finalists who submitted the winning ideas will appear on the fall season premiere of the hit TV show West Coast Customs. The fan whose #FANtasyBuild submission best encapsulates these cutting-edge characteristics will win the custom Jeep Compass. The car will be awarded to them in-person at the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) car show in Las Vegas, Nevada November 4^th – 7^th.

Fans can either tweet their idea using the hashtag #FANtasyBuild or visit fantasybuild.com to enter. Visitors to the website can also:

• Customize their own virtual Jeep using colors, bodywork, and graphics from West Coast Customs
• Watch exclusive West Coast Customs content that will be refreshed throughout the campaign
• Check out other fans' Twitter entries for inspiration

The spring season premiere of West Coast Customs debuts on FOX Sports 2 this Sunday, April 20, at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. Check local listings for exact times.

"Fans have asked us for something like this for years, and now we're putting them in control," said Ryan Friedlinghaus, CEO of West Coast Customs. "This build's all about innovation, and Esurance and West Coast Customs will choose the five freshest ideas. We want our fans to challenge us to go bigger than we've ever gone and to help us build the ride of tomorrow."

Since 1993, West Coast Customs has designed and built some of the most amazing vehicles in the world for enthusiasts, celebrities, entrepreneurs, and corporate titans worldwide, the company continues to find new and innovative ways to connect with passionate automotive fans.

"The idea of crowdsourcing and allowing fans to participate in the build is a modern approach to design that fits well with how Esurance engages and connects with its customers as a modern world insurance company," said Esurance Vice President of Marketing Darren Howard. "We're excited to see the amazing innovations that West Coast Customs fans can bring to the build."

Online Event Provides Sneak Peek for Fans

To give fans a sneak peak at what to expect for the new season, Esurance and West Coast Customs are holding a live-streamed, interactive online event tomorrow. Ryan Friedlinghaus and Esurance Senior Manager of Brand Partnerships Chris Lee will:

• Provide more insight into #FANtasyBuild
• Answer questions from fans about the contest
• Share some sneak peeks at builds for the upcoming season
• Show images and renderings that fans won't see anywhere else

The live stream begins at 1:00 p.m. PT/4:00 p.m. ET tomorrow at fantasybuild.com. Fans can Tweet their questions to Ryan and Esurance starting at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET today and throughout the event using the #FANtasyBuild hashtag.

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*Winners determined by creativity (1/3), innovation (1/3), and practicality (1/3). Subject to full Official Rules. Starts at 10:00 a.m. PT on 4/14/14 and ends at 5:00 p.m. PT on 6/23/14. Open to all of U.S. and DC, 18 year old and age of majority. Void where prohibited by law.

About Esurance®
Esurance provides auto, homeowners, motorcycle, and renters insurance direct to consumers online, over the phone, and through select agents, including sister company, Answer Financial. With an easy-to-use mobile app, quick comparison quotes, and online repair monitoring, Esurance is the smart choice for today's web-savvy consumer. As a member of the Allstate family with an A+ rating from A.M. Best, Esurance is a reliable choice for car insurance, offering anytime, anywhere service just a click, call, or tap away. For more information, visit www.esurance.com or call 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262).

About West Coast Customs
West Coast Customs was founded in 1993 by Ryan Friedlinghaus.  West Coast Customs is known by car enthusiasts as the premiere high-end modification shop that can transform any vehicle into a work of art.  West Coast Customs is not only known for building cars but delivering dynamic television content to a wide range of viewers. Owner Ryan Friedlinghaus and his shop have been doing exclusive custom builds for the MTV show Pimp my Ride, TLC's Street Customs, Street Customs Berlin and now on his new show West Coast Customs on Fox Sports. Ryan and his crew are world-renowned for their extreme vehicles, outrageous features, and next level designs. 

West Coast Customs sponsors include Esurance.com, Black Magic, Continental Tire, West Coast Chill, HP, BASF, PocketFinder, eBay Motors, Del City, Monster Cable, Oracle Lighting, Avery Dennison, Praxair, EverCoat, Kaeser Compressors , SLP Performance, Cracker Jack'd , Red Kap and Axis LED.

Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKgL581IDAU
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111222/SF26836LOGO-b

SOURCE Esurance