May 20, 2005 “Life is either a great adventure or nothing”, said Helen Keller and though Richard Branson is paraphrasing it rather more succinctly in promoting the Yahoo! Think Big Contest, the message is the same. With a stunt worthy of Sir Richard Branson himself, (the final judge of the Yahoo! contest) adventurer, author, and publisher Mark McMahon strung a banner across the Grand Canyon to get the attention of Yahoo's! "Think Big" Contest judges. The contest winner, chosen for its business plan and ability to "Think Big" will get 10 million free ad impressions across the Yahoo! Network. Helping him in his feat was the Grand Canyon’s indigenous residents, the Hualapai (WALL-ah-pie) tribe, who run the Grand Canyon resort and have promotional plans as big as Mark’s.
May 20, 2005 “Life is either a great adventure or nothing”, said Helen Keller and though Richard Branson is paraphrasing it rather more succinctly in promoting the Yahoo! Think Big Contest, the message is the same. With a stunt worthy of Sir Richard Branson himself, (the final judge of the Yahoo! contest) adventurer, author, and publisher Mark McMahon strung a banner across the Grand Canyon to get the attention of Yahoo's! "Think Big" Contest judges. The contest winner, chosen for its business plan and ability to "Think Big" will get 10 million free ad impressions across the Yahoo! Network. Helping him in his feat was the Grand Canyon’s indigenous residents, the Hualapai (WALL-ah-pie) tribe, who run the Grand Canyon resort and have promotional plans as big as Mark’s.
“The Hualapai were so helpful. I couldn't have done it without them," says McMahon. "I've made connections with indigenous tribes all over the world, it seems fitting that my dreams are being helped along by a tribe close to home." Mark plans to share 10% of the ad impressions with the Hualapai tribe when he wins the contest.
The Hualapai Tribe is building a Skywalk over the Grand Canyon (pictured) to enhance the tourist experience. The Skywalk, opening by the end of the year, goes right along with the "Dream" and "Think Big" theme.
The glass-bottom 130-foot horseshoe-shaped bridge cantilevers over the edge of the Grand Canyon, 4,000 feet above the Colorado River and will protrude 60 feet from the rim at its extremity.
The Hualapai tribe is currently paving the last 15 mile stretch of road that links it with Las Vegas, some two and a half hours away. There are also flights from Vegas to the tribe's Grand Canyon West complex and future plans call for an electric cable tram to run from the rim to the canyon floor.
So best of luck to both the Hualapai and to Mark in his quest to inspire people to live their adventures. You can visit Mark’s site here.
