Teen Turns Quick Thumb Work Into $50,000 at the 5th Annual 2011 LG US National Texting Championship

NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Mobile today announced that 16 year-old Austin Wierschke from Rhinelander, WI is the winner of the fifth-annual LG U.S. National Texting Championship. LG originated the first-ever nationwide texting competition in 2007 and has returned each year with additional prizes and challenges. After out-texting the best in the U.S. with his ultimate speed and dexterity, Austin was presented with a check for $50,000 by actress and avid texter, Ashley Tisdale (High School Musical, Hellcats) and was named the 2011 LG U.S. National Texting Champion.  

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Taking place at the historic Altman Building in the heart of Manhattan, the competition began with the first challenge titled, "Seek & Find." Using LG DoublePlay devices—exclusively from T-Mobile and complete with its split QWERTY keyboard and dual touchscreens for multitasking—11 finalists were required to find the challenge phrase in a picture gallery and accurately text the phrase. The first eight contestants who successfully texted the correct answer moved on to the second challenge, dubbed "Text Blitz." Contestants were required to text five separate phrases exactly as they appeared on screen. The six competitors to record the quickest times moved on to join 2010 LG U.S. National Text Champion Brianna Hendrickson for the "Txet Sdrawkcab" round and were challenged to text a phrase that was written backwards as it appeared on screen. The five contenders that proved to best know their ZYXs were tasked with using the SWYPE function on their LG DoublePlay devices to text a series of phrases while being distracted by a group of enthusiastic cheerleaders.

After a full day of thumb-wrenching competition, it all came down to the final rounds between Austin and two other semi-finalists. The 2011 LG U.S. National Texting Championship came to an end with the “Text in the Dark” challenge and finally the “Text Attack” challenge, which required the finalists to type as quickly and accurately as possible. Taking on reigning texting champ and Brooklyn native, Brianna Hendrickson, Austin knew he would have to be flawless in order to have a shot at winning the one and only coveted texting title.

“I’m so excited, I can’t believe I actually won,” said Austin Wierschke, the new 2011 LG U.S. National Texting Champion. “It was an honor to make it to New York for the finals and I couldn’t wait to put my DoublePlay to the test at the actual competition. I’m looking forward to competing again at the LG Mobile World Cup and I hope to help take home the title for the U.S.!”

"Year after year, we are continually amazed by the unbelievable talent of the competitors who join us for the LG U.S. National Texting Championship, and 2011 was no different," said Carl Brown, director of trade marketing for LG Mobile. "This year marks our fifth annual competition and with each passing year it continues to draw national attention. LG Mobile is a leader in providing the latest texting devices such as LG DoublePlay, exclusively from T-Mobile, and events like the LG U.S. National Texting Championship demonstrates our commitment to meeting the needs of our avid texters everywhere."

Ready to take the Championship title to the next level, Austin also won the opportunity to compete in the upcoming 2012 LG Mobile World Cup, which will feature texting champions from around the globe. Austin will represent the United States alongside 2010 Texting Championship winner and 2011 numeric finalist, Brianna Hendrickson, for the chance to bring the U.S. its first World Cup title.  Earlier this year, Portugal took the title, winning the second-annual LG Mobile World Cup.

LG U.S. National Texting Championship

LG first set out to crown the fastest thumbs in America in 2007 when more than 500 contestants battled it out for the U.S. texting title. Now a national phenomenon, last year's Championship featured a record 500,000 competition entries and became the subject of an MTV documentary called "Thumbs" by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Bill Couturie. Providing an exclusive look at the growing phenomenon of texting among today's youth, the film provided a first-hand look at player preparations during the marathon race to the 2010 LG National Texting Championship. Moreover, "Thumbs" underscored the increasing importance of texting as one of today's preferred methods of mainstream communication. For more information on the LG U.S. National Texting Championship, please visit www.facebook.com/lgtexterus.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in over 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of 55.8 trillion Korean won (USD 48.2 billion), LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world's leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula 1™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company

The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit http://www.lgmobilephones.com.

SOURCE LG Mobile