Going for $1M Goal at the Superbowl

A Super Bowl win for the New York Jets would be victory enough for most fans. But for Hewlett native, Lynbrook High School graduate, and die-hard Jets fan Michael Doneger, there's also a chance for him to win $1 million.

Doneger was named one of 10 finalists for the Doritos and Pepsi Max "Crash the Super Bowl" contest. The 24-year old will now go on to see if his original creation, "Elevator Girl" will be one of six consumer-created ads — three for Doritos and three for Pepsi Max — that will air during Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6 on FOX. In addition to his TV spot potentially being shown in front of millions of people at the Super Bowl, Doneger’s ad is also up for the million-dollar prize.

Thrilled about staying in Texas for one week — Feb. 1 to Feb. 7 — Doneger has one idea about how he would spend the cash, should he win: "If I were to win a million, I would buy a lifetime of Pepsi Max," he jokingly said.

Surprised about his placement as a finalist, Doneger thought it was a joke when he was first notified about his prize money. He entered the competition last year and didn't even make the top 10. "I thought someone was playing a joke on me when I found out that I won the $25,000. Out of 5,600 submissions, it was surprising to hear that I won," he said. "I am going to use that $25,000 to direct my first feature film — it's a comedy. I want to be like an Ed Burns-, Woody Allen-type director/writer.”

A personal trainer for high school athletes and an aspiring filmmaker, Doneger was eager to show his comedic skills in the "Elevator Girl" ad.

“I love off-putting situations. I like to be caught in a Larry David moment (creator of Curb Your Enthusiasm and co-creator of Seinfeld),” said Doneger. “The ad is about a guy that has several run- ins with a girl he likes in the elevator and finally the Pepsi Max is the ice-breaker for him to speak to her. An elevator is an awkward situation, then you throw in a girl you like and it's funny. It took three hours to film.”

Currently living in Los Angeles, Calif., Doneger was motivated to enter the contest by the prospect of a free trip to the Super Bowl and the opportunity to have his ad seen by millions of people.

In addition to writing the creative and humorous ad, Doneger directs and stars in it.

Thrilled and anxious about the unveiling of the winning ad at the Super Bowl, Doneger remains optimistic.

"During the Super Bowl, they will put all of us finalists together and after the 1st quarter, we will be watching the big screen to see which ad will appear," Doneger said. "It will be very nerve-racking to wait to see which ad is going to be shown on the big screen.”

In Donegar's corner is 7th District Legislator Howard Kopel. “As an avid football fan myself, seeing Michael chosen as one of ten finalists in the entire nation is extraordinary," he said in a statement. “I'm sure I join countless neighbors and other residents who will be tuning in to the Superbowl not only to root Michael on, but to say 'hey, I know the guy who made that ad.'  That's something we can all be proud of.”

Doneger is hoping his Jets make the Super Bowl — they just knocked off their AFC rivals, the New England Patriots, on Sunday. "I am a huge Jets fan," he said. "Mark Sanchez is a great quarterback. I will wear a Jets jersey on that day if they make the Super Bowl. We have to wait and see.”

A graduate of John Hopkins University, Doneger’s family still lives in Hewlett. His friend Scott, also a Lynbrook High School graduate, will be attending the Super Bowl with him.

Fans are welcome to vote for their favorite ads, helping to ultimately decide which spots air on the Super Bowl stage. If, during the Super Bowl, consumer-created Doritos or Pepsi Max ads sweep the top three rankings of the USA Today Ad Meter, their creators will take home a shared $5-million prize.

“The more people vote for me, the better my chances are for winning,” Doneger said.

To view Doneger’s ad, "Elevator Girl," visit the 2011 “Crash the Super Bowl” website at www.crashthesuperbowl.com. There are four ways for fans to vote for Doneger: at the official contest website, using your smart phone at m.crashthesuperbowl.com, via Xbox LIVE, and banner advertisements on select websites. Votes can be cast once a day, per platform, per brand.

This experience has been incredibly wonderful for Doneger, he said. "The opportunity to get my commercial played during the Superbowl is a once-in-a- lifetime thing."