Best Job in the World in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Awarded to British Adventurer

A British man has scored the “best job in the world” from what is perhaps the most effective tourism marketing campaign of the year.

After a worldwide search for the best candidate, Ben Southall was selected Wednesday by Tourism Queensland to serve as caretaker of Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef.

Southall, a 34-year-old charity fundraiser who named mountain climbing, bungee jumping, snorkeling, and ostrich riding as some of his hobbies, beat out nearly 35,000 applicants for the “dream job.”

Over the last few days he competed against 15 other semi-finalists from around the world who were flown to the island for several days of interviews, tests and media scrutiny.

The six-month gig as caretaker of the tropical island begins July 1. Duties will include exploring the beaches, scuba diving and sailing, and posting regular blogs to promote tourism to the area. Southall will earn more than $100,000 for the job, and will live rent-free in a three-bedroom villa. He also plans to bring his girlfriend along for the experience.

The contest, which cost Tourism Queensland about $1.3 million, earned more than  $82 million in free publicity in television, print, radio, and online outlets.

Though considered a marketing success, the viral nature of the campaign did have its drawbacks. The Web site crashed the night before the international application deadline, which meant that many would-be contenders were unable to post their video applications on line.

By Sarika Chawla for PeterGreenberg.com.

Related links: USA Today, The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, BBC

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