MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., U.S. – Death Wish Coffee Company – a small business that roasts and packs what some call the world’s strongest coffee – has won the Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Big Game contest – which includes a 30-second commercial during professional football’s big game on Feb. 7.
The ad, to be broadcast during the third quarter of the championship game, will be the only one to feature a small business and will be seen by more than 100 million viewers. Death Wish Coffee, based in Round Lake, N.Y., was selected from more than 15,000 entries and hundreds of thousands of votes in the contest sponsored by Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU).
“Winning this commercial is beyond our wildest dreams, and we could not be more grateful for this opportunity or eager to maximize it,” said Mike Brown, owner of Death Wish Coffee.
“This contest has brought my team closer, and has already helped us grow the business. It’s amazing to think that our 11-employee company will be on the same stage as well-known brands we’ve always admired. This is just the beginning for us.”
“We’re excited for Mike and everyone at Death Wish Coffee,” said Brad Smith, Intuit chairman and chief executive officer.
“They’re a great small business success story, and show what’s possible when you dare to dream big. They competed against thousands of other small businesses to get to the big game and came out on top. Each small business that applied had a unique, inspiring story to tell, and we’re proud that Small Business Big Game provided an opportunity for them to share it.”
About Small Business Big Game
Intuit QuickBooks kicked off Small Business Big Game in June, inviting small businesses to apply on Own It: A Small Business Network. A panel of Intuit judges selected the top 10 finalists in September from more than 15,000 applicants. A public vote then determined the grand prize winner.
In addition to the expenses-paid commercial, Death Wish Coffee is receiving free, lifetime use of QuickBooks Enterprise. Intuit also honored the top 10 finalists with prizes that demonstrate QuickBooks’ mission of fueling small business success:
- The two runners-up, Chubbies Shorts and Vidler’s 5 & 10, each receive $25,000, as well as local media and advertising valued at up to $15,000.
- The seven other finalists each receive a $10,000 prize as well as a congratulatory ad in their local paper, while the accountants of all 10 finalists receive $10,000 and local advertising.
This is the second year QuickBooks has hosted the program. Educational toy company GoldieBlox, based in Oakland, Calif., received the ad in 2014.
