Automotive media content site CarAdvice.com.au has announced Mandy Turner as the winner of its hotly contested competition offering Aussies the chance to win a dream job as the CarAdvice Correspondent.
Mandy Turner fought off tough competition from Doug MacDougall and Anton van Schalkwyk on Saturday August 15 to win the role, effective from August 24th.
The Correspondent final included VIP treatment and a gruelling day of training sessions and challenges in front of the competition’s judges CarAdvice founder Alborz Fallah, former World Rally Championship driver Chris ‘ Atko’ Atkinson, TV presenter Lauren Phillips,and CarAdvice associate publisher James Ward.
They received training in motoring journalism, presentation skills and driving tips, while the challenges included filming a car review of the newly launched Mazda MX-5, attending a mock motor show press conference and driving skills workshop.
Judges concluded that Turner’s review of Mazda’s newly launched MX-5, featured a style less seen in automotive reviews, focusing on how the MX-5 fits a consumer’s lifestyle, while driving home the car’s appeal as a more affordable sportscar.
Shepparton born and bred Mandy Turner accompanied her father to motor racing meets as a young child and has harboured a desire to pursue her love of writing.
“Firstly, we’d like to thank everyone who entered the CarAdvice Correspondent, together with Mazda, and acknowledge the hard work finalists Doug and Anton put into the weekend’s events. Ideally we would have liked to bring them all on board but there can only be one winner. We warmly congratulate Mandy and welcome her to the CarAdvice team. While she will be learning a lot from our expert teams in Sydney and Melbourne, we’re sure she will provide a fresh perspective back to us,” said CarAdvice CEO Andrew Beecher.
“The inaugural CarAdvice Correspondent has provided a terrific forum to help drive awareness of the all new Mazda MX-5. We enjoyed the approach that each finalist took in their review of the car and congratulate them all on their submissions,” said Karla Leach, senior manager – public relations, Mazda.
Turner, winner of the CarAdvice Correspondent, said: “I recorded my original entry on an iPhone, so I was completely shocked to have been chosen as a finalist. The pressure in the final was unbelievable. My adrenalin was pumping the whole day.
“To have Chris Atkinson in the car with me, giving me driving tips, is something I will never forget. And listening to what Lauren Philips had to say in her training session, and putting her advice into my very own video. The experience I had was just unforgettable. The CarAdvice team really made me feel comfortable as a part of the family. They have made my dream come true in so many ways.”
