MVA seeking Marianas-chan to represent NMI

The Marianas Visitors Authority is looking for a pint-sized ambassador to help promote the Northern Mariana Islands to potential visitors in Japan.

“Marianas-chan” (Marianas child) will be featured in various MVA marketing and promotional activities in 2017.

“As part of our many marketing activities to revive the Japan market, we want to put a new and endearing face forward for the Northern Marianas, something similar to our celebrity tourism ambassadors, but more personal to the destination,” said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “We welcome applicants ages 4-6 who are friendly, curious, and with an amiable personality who laughs and smiles easily. This is the image of the Northern Marianas that we want to entice visitors with, especially families with children.”

The selected Marianas-chan will visit Japan to promote tourism and make television appearances, and his or her image will be issued in promotional material and merchandising.

Applications are available at www.mymarianas.com and at the MVA offices on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The deadline to apply is Dec. 30, 2016. Live audition will be held on Jan. 7, 2016, on Saipan, where contestants will also have the opportunity to demonstrate any special talent or skill.

Applicants must reside in the Northern Mariana Islands and be a U.S. citizen. Travel to Japan with a parent or guardian will be required, so a U.S. passport will also be required. Additional criteria are specified on the application.

“Marianas-chan will have the opportunity to join a special Marianas seminar and media reception in Tokyo in February, attend the JATA Tourism Expo in September, meet media groups when they visit the Northern Marianas, and participate in other promotional events,” said Concepcion. “We will be looking for that special boy or girl who has an infectious cuteness and charm, or as described in Chamorro or Carolinian, na ‘magodai.’”

Interested contestants from Tinian and Rota are invited to submit an application with a 1-2 minute video of the contestant to info@mymarianas.com for call back to the Jan. 7 audition on Saipan.

“We want children from Tinian or Rota to also be a part of the competition, so we welcome their video entries,” said Concepcion. “Interested applicants from those islands can send us a 1-2 minute video of the contestant, and our judging committee will advise if any of them are recommended to attend the Jan. 7 audition, which is mandatory for all final contestants.”

For further details, download a Marianas-chan application at www.mymarianas.com. (MVA)