Here is a new way to get your name in lights

IT ISN'T Mr. DeMille who's ready for your close-up. It's Ronald McDonald. Industry publication Brandweek magazine reported this week that McDonald's Restaurants will advance its "I'm Lovin' It" marketing campaign with a global casting call, and winners will be featured on the fast-food feedery's packaging. Worldwide.

McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii plans to begin promoting the casting call with 10-second radio ads next week, said Melanie Okazaki, marketing manager.

"This would be a great opportunity for someone from Hawaii because there's so many great stories that people have here, telling the world about what they love," she said.

Unlike with many contests, even McDonald's employees are eligible.

To enter, one must submit a picture and 100 words or less on what they love to the contest Web site www.mcdglobalcasting.com, and the beloved "thing" needn't relate to McDonald's.

About 25 people with compelling faces and stories will win weeklong trips for two to London in August for the photo shoot. Winners will stay at a five-star hotel and be fed and entertained, expenses-paid.

McDonald's online entry process ends and the Web site will close on May 31.

Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached at: eengle@starbulletin.com