Bidding tops $24,000 for U.S. Marine Pursuing Dream by Letting the World Choose His Name
His name is Cody Baker, but the world will change that on January 1, 2007. Baker, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps serving in Okinawa, Japan, has been receiving bids to change his name on his website http://choosemyname.com [ChooseMyName.com]. Individuals and companies from around the world have been placing bids to help Baker pursue the dream that he has for his family. Proceeds from the auction will allow Baker to complete his college education for his family and raise awareness for the Im Jai House orphanage in Thailand.
[USPRwire, Wed Sep 27 2006] Cody Baker, a U.S. Marine pursuing his dream to return to college and raise awareness about the Im Jai House orphanage in Chiang Mai, Thailand, will not be bearing his given name much longer. Since August 1, 2006, Baker has been hosting an unconventional, worldwide auction for the right to choose his name, and bidding has now topped $24,000 (USD).
The current top bidder is http://www.faceliftconcepts.com [FaceliftConcepts.com], a U.S. company that pioneered a durable, low-cost method for refinishing snowboards with custom designs. Should Facelift Concepts win the auction, Baker will legally change his name to Oprah Winfrey. The bidding will end on New Year’s Day and may be followed live at http://www.choosemyname.com [ChooseMyName.com].
“Not long ago, I served six months in the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom,” Baker says. “When I was deployed during this period it was extremely difficult being separated from my family. While the likelihood of another long deployment to the Middle East increases with each passing day, so does my desire increase to finish college and focus my energy more directly upon my family. Companies and individuals from around the world have been battling for the right to choose my name, because they want to help me realize my dream.”
In addition to using funds to go to college, Baker will contribute ten percent of the winning bid to the Im Jai House orphanage in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and will hold prize giveaways of ever-increasing value, leading up to the New Year.
Baker, legally changing his name to whatever the high bidder chooses, has positioned himself to become a walking billboard for the winner. The outcome of this auction has clear value for product brands and causes, which is indicated in the spirited bidding seen thus far. Moreover, if a bidding organization does not win on January 1, 2007, they still benefit greatly from the free, global advertising created through the press and the bid listings affixed on the ChooseMyName.com site.
When asked why he chose Oprah Winfrey as Baker’s new name, Brandon Bashem, founder of Facelift Concepts, said, “I think this name sums up Cody’s new found success and wealth, because Oprah models those aspects well. Besides, what is better than Oprah? Two Oprahs, that's what!”
“My precious wife Jennifer really likes my name,” says Baker. “And so does my mom -- after all, she’s the one who gave me the name. Even though my current name fits me well, my family supports me as I allow the world to Choose My Name, because they want me to see my dreams become a reality.”
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