Six-year-old Katie from Avon is this year’s winner of the Cleveland Browns Junior Reporter Sweepstakes, presented by Wendy’s. The sweepstakes, which honors the Browns’ biggest, littlest fans, awards the grand prize winner a VIP Junior Reporter Day, complete with a VIP game day experience, a behind-the-scenes tour of FirstEnergy Stadium, and an opportunity to virtually interview one of the team’s stars.
The sweepstakes, which began this year, is a partnership between Wendy’s and the Cleveland Browns to give Cleveland-area kids a chance to experience the game like no other. To win, fans are encouraged to describe why they are the biggest Junior Browns fan and why they should be the next Junior Reporter, or share a video of them conducting an interview.
“To be eligible, all submissions had to be entered by an adult 18 years or older, and entrants had to live in the Cleveland area; participants had to be under 12 years old at the time of entry,” says John Willse, Wendy’s Franchisee & Cleveland DMA Co-op President.
The grand prize winner will virtually interview Browns player Greg Newsome II, as well as go on a FirstEnergy stadium tour, receive club tickets to a Browns home game, receive a signed Greg Newsome jersey and much more. Second and third place winners received signed Greg Newsome mini helmets along with Wendy’s gift cards.
“We had hundreds of fantastic submissions from kids all over the Cleveland area,” Willse says. “Ten sweepstakes winners were selected, and from there we had to choose the top three finalists. All of the 10 were fabulous, but Katie stood out with her excitement and enthusiasm for the Cleveland Browns as well as her great interview questions.”
Katie’s interview with Newsome II was done all on her own – she was not given any questions to ask and prepped on her own.
“We knew that she was just the right kid for the job to interview Greg Newsome II,” Willse says.
On November 17, Katie and finalists attended a “winner dinner” at the Wendy’s restaurant in Brunswick. The finalists were treated to a surprise appearance from the Cleveland Browns’ Mascot, Chomps, and a meet-and-greet with former Cleveland Browns cornerback Hanford Dixon. Winners received Wendy’s gift cards as well as Wendy’s swag bags.
Wendy’s plans to offer this sweepstakes opportunity once a year during football season and encourages Browns’ biggest littlest fans to apply and receive a Browns experience like no other.
“It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Cleveland Browns, exclusive access to a star on the team,” Willse says.
