CONSUMER-MARKETING | ENGAGEMENT

Frito-Lay is pushing its TrueNorth nut snacks with a contest to find a story about one person’s life passion that will become a TV spot during next year’s Academy Awards.

Sears has launched a giveaway promotion intended to build traffic in both its stores and at its Web site before Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season on the day after Thanksgiving.

Verizon Wireless is offering its customers downloads of tracks from Beyonce’s new album through its V Cast music service in advance of the album’s release later this week.

Retailer Target has begun promoting its exclusive new CD from singer Christina Aguilera, “Keeps Getting’ Better,” on a new mobile blog Web portal from Snakk Media.

The Lone Ranger is riding again, blazing a new trail with Tonto to prod interest in the release of a 75th anniversary DVD collection of the classic western television series this week.

YouTube, the video-sharing Web destination that has become a hit with viewers but has yet to find its business model with advertisers

AT&T is offering rock ‘n roll wannabes a shot at rocking out virtually with the latest version of the “Guitar Hero” video game when they subscribe to some of the company’s services.

Infiniti will sponsor a music series featuring Elvis Costello on Sundance Channel in a multi-platform deal with content to play on air and online.

A new holiday sweepstakes from Citibank will give cardholders a chance to experience live music up close, with a sweepstakes run in conjunction with an integrated promotion with artists Mary J. Blige and Nickelback and live music promoter Live Nation.

NBC Universal is expanding on its ecology awareness campaign, presenting 150 hours of environmental programming on air and online next week.