Through BLUEsonic, a state-of-the-art online voice evaluation tool, all candidates had to do was go to bluebbva.com to audition for a spot in the Academy, by recording their performance from the comfort of their own homes.

A voice coach rated each performance in the practice area. When candidates felt ready, they went to the stage area to give their final performance. Users were able to watch each audition, vote on it and share their comments. The top-ranked singers were then judged by the official OT jury, and candidates received their verdict in video format right on the web.

40 lucky individuals obtained a BLUEpass, an exclusive privilege that allowed them to avoid all the lines and enter the final audition in front of the jury… All this, without leaving the bluebbva.com community, with early access to countless promotional advantages tied to the new season of the show.

During the first weekend, over 10,000 Internet users flooded the server by auditioning at the same time, after having recorded their videos. Traffic to bluebbva.com skyrockets during this action up 58% and unique users of bluebbva.com increased 69%. BBVA’s online brand recognition goes up 75%.

The OT2008 online BLUE auditions went on for 46, and candidates rehearsed over 200,000 times (+900% candidates vs. OT2007). 40 lucky individuals obtained their bluepass and 1 secured a spot in the Academy. MANU CASTELLANO was the first on-line contestant in the history of talent shows in Spain.The OT auditions would be the overture to the BLUESTAR contest, an alternative to OT for those hoping to pursue a musical career.