Competition nets publicity and aids charity

With benefits that include publicity, a chance to raise funds for a charity, showcasing the province’s top business minds and finding a motivated new agent, The Interview, a reality-based competition co-created by Brooks Findlay, owner of Rock Bridge Realty of Regina, was a win/win for all involved.

From left, winner Kyla Dean, runner-up Leslie Genoway and Brooks Findlay, broker of Rock Bridge Realty.

The competition, which was aired on 104.9 The Wolf, included a professional photo shoot and a story in arriva magazine as part of the grand prize package.

The Apprentice-style competition took place over the course of six weeks, with a dozen contestants facing a series of challenges, including a video job interview, designing and marketing a print ad and creating a Facebook fan page. Contestants also took calls and answered questions live on 104.9 The Wolf’s Big Breakfast Show.

From left, Kyla Dean, Leslie Genoway, Marnie-Lee and Mike Herchuk, from the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, and Brooks Findlay.

Fund-raising was also part of the competition and resulted in almost $70,000 going to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.

Kyla Dean won the grand prize, a business prize package valued at more than $100,000. The package includes a one-year $50,000 starting contract with Rock Bridge Realty. Dean will be trained and licensed as a real estate agent, and gets a one-year car lease on a Mercedes Benz, a business wardrobe, an advertising package and more.

Dean has spent almost 10 years in the film, television and broadcast industry but had decided to make the move to real estate.

“Media had been hit hard by the recession….Friends told me I’d do well in real estate, and when you look at the economy here in Saskatchewan, the industry itself is doing very well. I’d actually already started to make that transition, taking Phase 1 of my real estate licence earlier this year. Getting involved in The Interview was just the extra push that I needed,” Dean told arriva magazine.

Dean says her experience in the media – working in a fast-paced environment and constantly meeting deadlines, and having a connection to the community – will help her in her new career.