US tissue firm offers $10,000 for hanging out at restrooms

A major US toilet tissue company is offering a $10,000 pay to five enthusiastic people willing to hang out at its Times Square restrooms for six weeks as its ambassadors during the holiday season.

The "Charmin Ambassadors" are part of the company's effort to promote the brand through blogging and other social media outlets, the company said as it began auditioning people for the six-week gig at the Hilton Hotel.

The selected "ambassadors" will interact with people and showcase latest news and developments from the toilet paper manufacturer.

"Each holiday season, we receive an overwhelming amount of interest from candidates hoping to work at the Charmin Restrooms, so this year we are going one step further to offer five special individuals a job opportunity that is truly unique," said Jacques Hagopian, brand manager for Charmin.

"Nothing could be better than working in the heart of one of the most exciting cities in the world during the holidays," he was quoted as saying by NBC TV channel.

Self proclaimed "king of the go" Frank Pullicino, who came dressed in a robe and a toilet paper crown, said he saw the ad in the paper. The 40-year-old stay-at-home-dad from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, said: "I am the king of the go!"

Regina Wilkerson, a graphic designer and photographer who came all the way from Chino Hills, California, thought it would be the perfect opportunity to promote a product she really believes in.

"It's like you see the bathroom, then you gotta go, but if Charmin's not there, then forget about it," said Wilkerson, 33.

Winners will be announced Nov 23 when the restrooms open.

Charmin put the restrooms in Times Square to give tourists a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of the city during the holiday season. The 20 restrooms are clean, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant and family-friendly, the company said.

Last updated on Nov 7^th, 2009 at 12:35 pm IST--IANS