ESPN launches Clinic All Clear Dream Job

New Delhi, July 30, 2007 "� ESPN STAR Sports, Asia's leading sports broadcaster, today announced the launch of 'Clinic All Clear Dream Job' a national level talent hunt for a sports presenter, based on a successful international format followed in US and Europe. 'Clinic All Clear Dream Job' offers the most enviable prize - a one-year contract with ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd. The winner of ' Clinic All Clear Dream Job' will become a presenter on the new channel from the stable of ESPN STAR Sports "� STAR Cricket.

ESPN STAR Sports has roped in noted actor and cricket presenter Mandira Bedi as a celebrity judge for the show. The jury for the second edition will also include stars like Ravi Shastri, Wasim Akram, Harsha Bhogle and Alan Wilkins. Sharon van Zwieten, Executive Producer, News, ESPN STAR Sports and SportsCenter presenter Colette Wong will also play a critical role in the jury. The first of 17 episodes of 'Clinic All Clear Dream Job' will be televised every Thursday starting September 20, 2007 on STAR Cricket.

Announcing the launch, R C Venkateish, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd said, " The launch of Dream Job is a part of our overall strategy of launching quality sports based feature programs. The first edition of the program received a huge response from cricket lovers across the nation and we expect an even better response this time. The format of the show has been made bigger; the scale is now going to be international. After all, the prize on offer for the winner is literally a 'Dream Job' "� he will be a presenter on STAR Cricket."

Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Rajaram Narayanan, GM and Category Head, Hair Care, HUL said, "Dream Job is a perfect platform for any Indian who eats, breathes and sleeps cricket, a sport that unites India. Clinic All Clear as a brand stands for self - assurance, self - confidence and perfection; and Dream Job is a hunt for a perfect candidate who needs to have similar attributes."

Speaking for the first time on ESPN STAR Sports' platform, Mandira Bedi said, "It is not easy to be a presenter especially for sports. The action is live and the result unpredictable. Hence the reactions have to be honest, impromptu and informed. This is a lethal combination and it takes time to adjust and respond. One has to be always at his confident best to be "All Clear All The Way."

"As the jury, we will be testing the contestants on various parameters like presence of mind, domain knowledge, presentation, camera readiness, ease with cricket as well as non-cricket sport and performance during live matches. I am very excited with this new association with the number one sports network in India and world over. Working with ESPN STAR Sports is like a dream come true for me... it's my dream job," added Mandira.

Clinic All Clear Dream Job has kick started with entries through audio/video clips and call in phone lines that will be open till August 06, 2007. The show has already received overwhelming response from enthusiasts across the country. The entries will be reviewed and the short listed candidates will be called for on-ground auditions at the four metros in the presence of the jury. Starting with Delhi on August 18, Dream Job will travel to Mumbai on August 25, followed by Bangalore on September 1 and Kolkata on September 8.

The search goes international as India takes on England for 3 Tests and 7 One Day Internationals. On each match day ESPN STAR Sports will hunt for candidates from the stands and 4 outstanding candidates will make it to the final phase of the reality show.

From the on ground auditions, 16 contestants will make it to the studio rounds, with the final 4 heading to Sydney for an experience of a lifetime and the viewers will not just get to see the contestants live during the semi finals but also vote for their favourite to reach the final round. The final round will see the top two go to the ESPN STAR Sports Studios at Singapore where each of them will get to do a story live on Sportscenter. The two will have a final Job Interview with the Managing Director of ESPN STAR Sports and the winner will get a one year contract as a sports presenter thereafter.

The Dream Job contest last time received an overwhelming response with entries across the country. The show had on ground auditions in 6 cities and after a six month long process, Anand Narsimhan from Bangalore was chosen as the winner.