Consumer Cellular Announces Third Annual Grandparents Day Contest With Prizes Provided by AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia

PORTLAND, OR--(Marketwire - Jul 2, 2012) - Oregon-based Consumer Cellular, the number one rated cellphone service provider in the U.S. and the exclusive wireless provider for AARP members, is launching its third annual Grandparents Day contest. People from across the country are invited to submit their favorite grandparent-related stories online via short video or written essay. Entries will be accepted through August 15, 2012 and this year's contest has been expanded to include more opportunities to win with two grand prizes as well as eight category prizes, all of which are provided by the AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia®.

"The Grandparents Day contest was designed to honor and celebrate grandparents and the important role they play in our lives," said John Marick, CEO of Consumer Cellular. "The heart of this contest is about family connections which is something we're proud to promote and encourage as a company."

The contest is open to anyone residing in the continental U.S. over 13 years of age. Entries will be accepted from July 1 through August 15 at www.grandparentsday2012.com.

Submitting nominations for Consumer Cellular's Grandparents Day contest is easy:

1. Visit www.grandparentsday2012.com for a complete list of contest guidelines and the official entry form.

2. Create a three-minute video or 500-word essay telling your favorite grandparent-related story.

3. Upload the submission and entry form.

All entries will be posted online, and public voting will be open from July 1 until midnight EDT on August 31.

The grand prize winners can choose from a European river cruise for two, airfare included (up to a $10,000 value), or an Orlando vacation package for four, airfare included (up to a $10,000 value).

"We're very excited to partner with Consumer Cellular for the second year in a row to provide wonderful trips for grandparents and their families through the annual Grandparents Day contest," said Susan Greener, Head of Expedia's AARP Travel Center Program. "We share Consumer Cellular's belief in the importance of family connections and are thrilled to help make a family's vacation dream a reality."

Category prizes include $200 hotel coupons that can be redeemed through the AARP Travel Center www.expedia-aarp.com. Winners will be selected in the following categories:

• Best Video
• Best Essay
• Best Submission by a Grandparent
• Best Submission by a Parent
• Best Submission by a Grandchild
• Best Travel-Related Story
• Most Humorous Story
• Best Cooking Story

The grand prize and category winners will be announced September 10, the day after Grandparents Day, celebrated nationally on September 9.

About Consumer Cellular
Consumer Cellular is the exclusive wireless provider for AARP members and a top-rated carrier that provides no contract cellphones and service plans to boomers and seniors. Founded in 1995 on the belief that everyone should have affordable access to the safety and convenience of cellular service, Consumer Cellular is privately held with more than 550 employees. The Portland, Ore.-based company utilizes the nation's largest voice and data network, covering more than 296 million people -- or 97 percent of the U.S. population. Consumer Cellular's cellphones and plans are sold nationwide at leading retailers such as Sears and RadioShack dealer franchise locations, as well as direct to consumers at www.consumercellular.com or 800-686-4460. For cellphone tutorials, features, applications and company news, connect with Consumer Cellular on Facebook.com/consumercellular, Twitter.com/consumer_cell and YouTube.com/consumercellular.

About AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia®
The AARP Travel Center was launched in 2008 and has saved AARP members over $14.5 million on travel as of May 2012.* The AARP Travel Center combines members-only discounts with exclusive travel deals from Expedia. Exclusive AARP member savings include discounts of up to 25% on select car rentals, additional onboard credits of up to $100 on select cruises, and 10% discounts at select AARP provider hotels. Also members enjoy everyday low rates at over 150,000 hotels worldwide and savings of up to $525 on vacation packages. For information visit the AARP Travel Center at www.expedia-aarp.com or call 1-800-675-4318. 

* Member savings to date is based on actual AARP member savings from September 2008 through May 2012.

Expedia and the Airplane logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. CST # 2029030-50

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with nearly 35 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, our bilingual multimedia platform for Hispanic members; and our website, AARP.org https://access.aarp.org/,DanaInfo=aarp.org+. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

About AARP Services, Inc.
AARP Services, Inc., founded in 1999, is a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary of AARP. AARP Services manages the provider relationships for and performs quality control oversight of the wide range of products and services that carry the AARP name and are made available by independent providers as benefits to AARP's millions of members. The provider offers currently span health products, financial products, travel and leisure products, and life event services. Specific products include Medicare supplemental insurance; credit cards, auto and home, mobile home and motorcycle insurance, life insurance and annuities; member discounts on rental cars, cruises, vacation packages and lodging; special offers on technology and gifts; pharmacy services; legal services; and long term care insurance. AARP Services also engages in new product development activities for AARP and provides certain consulting services to outside companies.