Audi Wants Your 'Tony Stark Innovation'

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In one of the more bizarre promotional tie-in contests we’ve ever heard of, Audi has announced “The Tony Stark Innovation Challenge.” Named after the alter ego of Iron Man, the challenge asks contestants to submit YouTube videos describing ideas for “living better through technology.”

Audi will post the two-minute videos and then allow people to discuss the ideas through social media networks. The winner gets $15,000 to develop the idea, as well as a four-day trip to California for tours of Audi design centers and racetracks, not to mention spa treatment, tailored cocktail attire and grooming “to perfect their Stark style.” Weird.

The tie-in between Audi and “Iron Man 2” features Robert Downey Jr.’s character gallivanting around town in an Audi R8 Spyder. The A8 sedan also makes an appearance.

We assume that Audi is not expecting anyone to build an Iron Man suit, but $15,000 probably wouldn’t even pay to develop the “Iron Man 2” video game. Oh well, at least the budding YouTube scientist will be well-groomed.