MUMBAI: Channel [V] has invited aspiring VJs to register for a reality cum talent hunt show VJ Freshers - the class of 2006.

At present, the channel has nine VJs on board. In search for a new face, the channel is calling for potential VJs from Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Pune. The quest will be lead by the old VJs of the channel, Ranvir and Vinay.

Channel [V] head honcho Amar K Deb says, "We are in the mood to shake things up again and we are looking for some freshers who have got what it takes to make the world sit up and take notice. We are going to find them, train them and hone their talent and attitude and then we are going to let them lose on television audience."

Interestingly, this is the first time the musi arm of Star India is running a VJ hunt.

To create the buzz on the arrival of VJ Freshers and the opportunity it offers, the present VJs will visit various colleges in the cities and provide tips on careers. The channel will be also be using Star's website indya.com to pull in more contestant to register.

The VJs will be fanning out to various colleges to pick out those they believe have potential. The selected ones will be put through a series of interviews and tests to shortlist the best from each city. The contestants will have to face some verbal jousting with the jury and some action in front of the camera as well.

The jury will select eight finalists who will spend a week in Goa wherein they will be put through tests, leading up to the selection of the winner. The whole process is expected to take three months. The television audiences will also be able to participate through six episode series that will be on air.

Channel [V] has roped in Pantaloon and Maybelline as the main sponsors along with eight associate sponsors, which include Brylcreem, Moto Slvr, HP, 7UP, Scooty Pep+, McDonalds, Mrs Marino and Colgate Max Fresh.

Pantaloon and Channel [V] are cross-marketing their respective brands through the VJ Freshers - the class of 2006. Pantaloon Retail, last year changed its positioning from a family-oriented store to a fashion store, sporting the baseline 'Fresh Fashion'.

According to Pantaloon president marketing Sanjeev Agrawal, "Pantaloon stands for fresh fashion. Channel [V] is a channel, which the youth identify with and Pantaloon Fresh Fashion also addresses youth."

The programme will be promoted through various Pantaloon outlets across the country. The customers will be awarded with special offers --'cut the queue' - in order to participate in the job hunt. At various outlets also, the VJ's will interact with the customers. The outlets will run contests and will create the buzz through radio spots as well as through other media.