Dukes of Hazzard Fans Vie for Dream Job

CMT is searching for the be-all expert on The Dukes of Hazzard series offering a $100,000, one-year job

Getting paid to watch TV may seem like a dream, but Country Music Television (CMT) is turning that fantasy into a reality as part of a nationwide job search offering one lucky fan a six-figure salary to become the authority on all things concerning
The Dukes of Hazzard series.

To capture more viewers to celebrate the return of the hit series, CMT is searching for the ultimate fan to serve as the new VP of the CMT
Dukes of Hazzard Institute. The job requires the execution of a one-year, $100,000 independent contractor agreement with GREAT!, CMT’s Atlanta-based promotion agency of record.

As part of the application process, candidates must explain which character on
The Dukes of Hazzard they most identify with and why, and describe why they make the ideal candidate for the job.

To qualify for the job, applicants 18 and older must watch
The Dukes of Hazzard weeknights on CMT, know the words of the show’s theme song,
Good Ol’ Boys, serve as a media expert on
The Dukes of Hazzard, write an online blog for
CMT.com and make appearances at special events.

Since CMT acquired the TV series a month ago, company officials wanted to find a
Dukes of Hazzard expert, James Hitchcock, VP-creative and marketing, CMT, said. The job search kicked off last month.

“We want someone to take
The Dukes of Hazzard and share it,” Hitchcock said. “Our hope is that they will become a zealot. This is a great job.”

While the application process encourages viewers to watch the TV series to learn all things
Dukes of Hazzard, “We’re not looking for a couch potato” to fill the post, Hitchcock added.

Radio spots and Internet materials support. As part of the nationwide job search, CMT is posting the job search online on a number of Web sites including
Monster.com,
Careerbuilder.com,
Hotjobs.com and CMT.com.

In addition, CMT is tapping its mobile marketing abilities by distributing applications at college campuses, concerts and sporting events nationwide, Hitchcock said. The network is also using a bit of star power from Ben Jones, who played “Cooter” the mechanic on the TV series, to solicit applicants, he said. Jones will make special appearances across the country to hand out applications.

“We love to find innovative ways to reach our consumers,” Hitchcock said.

The Dukes of Hazzard ran for seven seasons on CBS from 1979 to 1985. The show’s storyline describes the tale of a close-knit family from Georgia, the Dukes, fighting against a corrupt political system and the likes of Hazzard County Commissioner Boss Hogg and his bumbling sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. The show features the infamous Duke boys’ orange 1969 Dodge Charger, ‘The General Lee.’

Fans can return to Hazzard County to see the “good ol’ boys” and relive some of their favorite TV show moments on CMT. The show airs weeknights at 7 and 11 p.m. ET/PT. A motion picture based on the TV show is scheduled to be released in theatres nationwide on June 24.

Though early in the process, Hitchcock said initial buzz around the campaign is strong and is building. Hitchcock said he expects to receive applications in the six-figure range.

The top candidate will be announced at the fifth annual Dukesfest at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN June 4-5.