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Bidding open for celebrities' time

By Qiang Xiaoji (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-03-19 17:04

Wang Lifen, an ex-CCTV hostess who created the TV program Win in China, announced the launch of an online auction on the website umiwi.com selling opportunities to meet celebrities, the New Business Daily reported.

The first auction was "three hours with Shi Yuzhu", chairman and CEO of Giant Interactive Group, a leading online game developer. The bidding period is between March 15 and June 15.

As soon as the bidding started, it drew a heated competition on the website. As of March 18, the highest offer was 66,666 yuan ($9,766.05).

Wang said the idea of selling celebrities' time on the web was inspired by Warren Buffett's annual charity auction. The winner of the auction would enjoy three hours chatting with Shi about starting a business or even asking him for a favor, she said.

The income from the auctions would be spent according to the celebrities' wishes, an unnamed person with the marketing department of the website said. Wang said they were also considering using some of the proceeds for philanthropic work.

Unlike Warren Buffett's annual charity auction, the celebrities selling their time in Wang's auctions were chosen by netizens' nomination and voting.

In the online nomination, "Brother Sharp", a recently famous homeless man living in the streets of Ningbo, Zhejiang province, won the most votes. Ma Yun, chairman and CEO of Alibaba Group, and Wang Lifen ranked after him. Shi Yuzhu ranked number five among the popular celebrities.

Wang started her own business by setting up the website umiwi.com, providing online TV programs after quitting her job at China's central television.