Salisbury-based Cheerwine again is looking for a young woman to serve as its Miss Cheerwine for 2012.
The woman will be chosen by the soft drink’s fans and will serve as an ambassador for Cheerwine, traveling across the South to concerts and other events.
“Due to the popularity of Miss Cheerwine in 2011 we are making the selection and voting criteria more interesting,” said Tom Barbitta, senior vice president for marketing and sales at Cheerwine.
“Our twist for 2012 is to include Cheerwine fans in the selection process, enabling our supporters to help us determine who will be the next Miss Cheerwine.
“We have grown significantly because of our loyal fans, and we view this as an opportunity to reward them for their continued support of the nearly 95-year-old soft drink. We’re thrilled to be able to give them a say as to who will represent the company they helped build.”
As part of Cheerwine’s expansion into Florida, woman residents there are eligible for the first time to become Miss Cheerwine.
In addition, residents of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Virginia and Georgia can apply for the opportunity to serve as the face of the cherry soft drink.
Candidates must be 21 to 25 years old and represent the values of fun, community and Southern culture found in every can of Cheerwine, the company said.
The winner will receive a stipend for her travels across the South.
Spencer Cummings of Chattanooga, Tenn. was the first Miss Cheerwine in 2011. She is a University of Alabama graduate and native of High Point.
“Being Miss Cheerwine was the experience of a lifetime,” she said in a press release. “I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity; I got to travel, go to concerts, and I met some really incredible people.
“It gave me a chance to see the amazing connection Cheerwine has with its fans, and I was immensely proud to be a part of that.”
Company officials say they are looking for a young woman “who not only exemplifies the company’s focus on community, but who will also be instrumental in helping Cheerwine reach its goal of becoming available in all 50 states by their 100th anniversary in 2017.”
Entrants are being asked to submit a photo and an essay on why they would be a legendary Miss Cheerwine through Cheerwine’s Facebook page.
Three finalists will be selected based on their representation of the essence of Cheerwine and their ability to serve as an ambassador to fans. The final decision will be based on public voting and the judges’ criteria.
The contest opened Tuesday, with fan voting beginning April 2. The announcement of the new Miss Cheerwine will be made on or about April 28.
For more information on Miss Cheerwine, to vote, apply or view program guidelines and requirements, visit Cheerwine’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/Cheerwine.