Nivea, the #1 lip care brand in the world, kicks off its annual competition dubbed Kiss of the Year Contest, which encourages US consumers to share their intimate moments on Facebook for a chance to win once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to kiss in front of millions on the Nivea Kiss Stage in the heart of Times Square. The brand is calling its fans to submit their romantic, dramatic and extraordinary love stories to a dedicated tab on Nivea USA Facebook page. Entrants are asked to write an essay explaining why they deserve to have a memorable kiss on the stage at Times Square. The contest is one of the first holiday activations launched by global brands ahead of the upcoming Christmas season.

Photo: The Nivea Kiss of the Year Contest photo on Facebook, www.facebook.com/NIVEAusa

Users can submit their compelling stories through November 7, after this the Nivea New Year’s Eve Kiss ambassadors, a love couple of Mario Lopez and Courtney Mazza will help select three finalists, whose stories will be unveiled for public voting to be running from November 26 through December 16. The winner will be announced on December 31—the couple will be awarded with a trip to New York City to the blue Nivea Kiss Stage in Times Square to kiss each other in front of the public on the most awaited night of the year. In addition to the opportunity to have probably the most memorable kiss of their life, the couple will get two exclusive VIP tickets to the New Year’s Eve party at the legendary Hard Rock Café. The brand paints one if the most iconic spots in NY blue on occasion of the New Year’s Eve for the fifth time in a row.

“Nivea has always believed in the power of human touch. Our products help consumers achieve touchably smooth skin and kissably soft lips that make you want to touch and be touched…bringing everyone closer together,» said Magnus Jonsson, Vice President, Marketing at Beiersdorf, Inc. «We are excited, once again, to be the official sponsor of the Times Square Alliance New Year’s Eve Celebration where we’ll help millions of people in Times Square and around the globe make that all-important New Year’s kiss better as the clock strikes midnight.”