Image from video by finalist, Tatyana Kim

Tequila Avión, in collaboration with the Film Department at Art Center College of Design, has challenged students to create a commercial or viral video for a chance to win a $10,000 grand prize. Through this partnership with one of the world’s premiere design schools, Tequila Avión encourages fans to tune in to the Tequila Avión YouTube Channel to vote for their favorite video. In mid-July, Tequila Avión will announce both the winning viral video and winning commercial, rewarding each with $10,000.

To kick-off the competition, Ken Austin, Founder and Chairman of Tequila Avión, visited Art Center College of Design to share the Avión story.  Film and Advertising students were challenged to create a commercial video or viral video inspired by the “World’s Best Tasting Tequila.” Entries were narrowed down to compete for the $10,000 grand prize in each category.

“As a brand founded on quality and the entrepreneurial spirit, we continually strive to support innovation and creativity,” said Austin. “The best and brightest students at Art Center College of Design were challenged to have a little fun with Avión, and it has been a pleasure to watch them create imaginative and unique concepts that showcase their individual styles.”

“Working with a visionary entrepreneur like Ken Austin has been both inspirational and fun for our students,” said Ross LaManna, Chair of the Undergraduate and Graduate Film Departments at Art Center.  “The fact that Tequila Avión truly is an exceptional brand also motivated the students to bring their A-game to this contest.”

Tequila Avión has enjoyed exponential growth and is the fastest growing ultra-premium tequila in the world.  At the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Avión was voted World’s Best Tasting Tequila and World’s Best Tasting Unaged White Spirit.

Find all the videos on the Tequila Avión YouTube Channel and vote for your favorite in each category.  The finalists are:

Commercial Category:

• Aaron Shapiro, Riverside, CA & Adam Leeman, New Albany, OH – “Pursue Your Dream”
• Tatyana Kim, Almaty, Kazakhstan – “Avion. No Chaser.”
• Elizabeth Levin, Los Angeles, CA & Andrew Walter, Valencia, CA – “The Cheapest Commercial Ever”
• Hanna Koh, Hacienda Heights, CA & Mio Larasati,  Jakarta, Indonesia  – “Perfectly Prepared”
• Bret Zausmer, Austin, TX – “Take Your Time”
• Kathleen Lorden, Chicago, IL – “High Standards”

Viral Video Category:

• Chris Onesto, Whittier, CA, Charles Lee, Los Angeles, CA & Zak Marx, Burbank, CA – “Smooth”
• Ellen Houlihan, Allendale, NJ – “Taxman”
• Emmett Sutherland, Venice, CA, Esai Ramirez, Venice, CA, & Erik Gonzalez, Sylmar, CA – “Margarita’s Advice”
• William Hemminger, New York, NY – “Treasure”
• Arshag Dickranian, London, England – “Dracula”
• Elizabeth Levin, Los Angeles, CA & Andrew Walter, Valencia, CA – “Time to Earn your Wings”

For more information on the Tequila Avión Art Center College of Design Program, please visit the Tequila Avion YouTube page.