'Ultimate Cotton Influencer' social media challenge to begin March 14 with kick-off event


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(Courtesy Photo)

The "Ultimate Cotton Influencer Kick-Off" event will launch a social media competition open to all Central Michigan University students from 7-9 p.m. March 14 in the French Auditorium of the College of Education and Human Services.

The competition incorporates social media -- specifically Instagram -- to promote the "Cotton Influencer Project," sponsored by Cotton Incorporated, and advocate for sustainability through the use of cotton. The goal is to use impactful, visually-appealing social media posts to help create a personal voice.

"The event is about looking at cotton and how to think about sustainability through the use of cotton," Mull said. "We also received a grant from Cotton Incorporated and Cotton Works, so in collaboration with them we are looking at how to promote this non-profit organization as well as cotton sustainability."

The competition will begin with the kick-off event and end at 11:59 p.m. March 31.

Special guest speaker and "Instagram influencer" Kia Marie, @thenotoriouskia, will kick off the "Ultimate Cotton Influencer Challenge" campaign. 

"Kia Maria is a great fit for us," said human environmental studies faculty Ian Mull, who helped plan the event. "She is interested in fashion and a macro-influencer, social media-wise. We liked her perspective and her idea of thrifting, which is also sustainable."

The kick-off event, which is free to attend and open to all students, will cover the rules, eligibility and how to submit work for the competition. The challenge awards monetary prizes to six different category winners, as well as one grand prize winner. The grand prize winner will be selected via a viewers' choice vote at the Threads Fashion Show. 

There will be desserts, refreshments, games, a clothing drive, a mini-fashion show and  prizes, including gift cards for Midori, Ponder Coffee Co., Target, Joann Fabrics and Le Fleur Boutique. DJ Fat Boy will provide music. 

More information about the challenge can be found at www.cottoninfluencer.com/.

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