McDonald's crooners sing chain's praises

OAK BROOK, Ill., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- McDonald's says it's looking for stars among its employees to sing the fast-food chain's praises in a worldwide karaoke contest.

The third annual "Voice of McDonald's" drew about 10,000 entries from 51 countries, the chain said on its Web site. McDonald's chose 30 semifinalists in October and made high-quality videos of each, which appear, along with biographical information, on the company's Web site, Advertising Age reported.

The chain created plenty of buzz by publicizing the contest through its Web site as well as on Facebook, Twitter and social-networking sites outside America.

"I've always felt that our employees are our biggest assets," said Dean Barrett, the chain's senior vice president for global marketing. "So to allow our employees to have the fun and excitement and to have talent come through a unique and different way has been a lot of fun for me and McDonald's."

Online voters will determine which 12 semifinalists will appear at McDonald's global conference in Orlando in April. The winner will get $25,000 -- and maybe start crooning, "I'm lovin' it."