National Geographic Channel Names Chicago-based Charlie Engelman As The Winner Of Expedition Granted

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Selected by public votes, Charlie Engelman will advance his dream expedition. His winning project, "Get Pumped About Nature," will allow him to travel the United States to encounter extreme nature and share his educational experiences through an interactive website and regular films and vlogs. Awarded the $50,000 Expedition Granted prize by National Geographic Channel (NGC), he will also be highlighted with an on-air promo on NGC. The winning entry can be viewed at http://expeditiongranted.nationalgeographic.com/.

"It's with great esteem that we grant Charlie Engelman's winning expedition, 'Get Pumped about Nature,'" said NGC CEO Courteney Monroe. "At National Geographic Channel, we believe in pushing boundaries and forging new paths, and were thrilled to receive such a wide and innovative variety of video entries. After three months of submissions, advisor input and community voting, we are honored to name the 2014 Expedition Granted Explorer."

This socially fueled national competition to find the next generation of explorers launched in June.  Expedition Granted received more than 700 entries via Web videos outlining innovative exploration projects in science, technology, conservation, adventure, the arts and beyond. The program's goal is to democratize the concept of exploration to show that in the 21st century, explorers can come from all backgrounds and disciplines and anyone with curiosity and passion can be an explorer. Expedition Granted was developed in partnership with the National Geographic Society and 21st Century Fox and sponsors the Jeep brand and Dos Equis.

Ten finalists with projects ranging from healthcare to the environment to bioenergy were selected on September 16, and since then, the public has been voting for the winner, with close to 400,000 votes recorded. Finalists were selected based on their project's originality, ability to make an impact on the local and/or global community and viability. Expedition Granted advisors include NGC Brain Games host Jason Silva, online filmmaker Casey Neistat, chef Wylie Dufresne, psychiatrist and aeronaut Bertrand Piccard, author and science evangelist Ainissa G. Ramirez, director and artist Kenzo Digital, musician and producer Thomas Dolby, journalist and explorer Thayer Walker, futurist and social scientist Marina Gorbis, multidisciplinary artist and entrepreneur Raghava KK and outdoorsman Gregg Treinish. 

"This is absolutely amazing," said winner Charlie Engelman. "The support I received from my family, friends, neighbors, classmates and professors was just incredible. Thanks to the voters and National Geographic, I can now produce the nature series of my dreams."

For more information, visit ExpeditionGranted.com and follow us on social media at #expeditiongranted.

About National Geographic Channel
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channels US are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Networks. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education with smart, innovative programming and profits that directly support its mission. Launched in January 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrated its fifth anniversary with the debut of NGC HD. In 2010, the wildlife and natural history cable channel Nat Geo WILD was launched, and in 2011, the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation's major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with NGC currently available in over 85 million U.S. homes. Globally, National Geographic Channel is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com.

About 21st Century Fox
21st Century Fox is the world's premier portfolio of cable, broadcast, film, pay TV and satellite assets spanning six continents across the globe. Reaching more than 1.5 billion subscribers in approximately 50 local languages every day, 21st Century Fox is home to a global portfolio of cable and broadcasting networks and properties, including FOX, FX, FXX, FXM, FS1, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FOX Sports, Fox Sports Network, National Geographic Channels, MundoFox, STAR India, 28 local television stations in the U.S. and more than 300 channels that comprise Fox International Channels; film studio Twentieth Century Fox Film; and television production studios Twentieth Century Fox Television and Shine Group. The Company also provides premium content to millions of subscribers through its pay-television services in Europe and Asia, including Sky Deutschland, Sky Italia and its equity interests in BSkyB and Tata Sky. For more information about 21st Century Fox, please visit www.21CF.com.

About National Geographic Society
With a mission to inspire people to care about the planet, the 126-year-old National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Working to inspire, illuminate and teach, the member-supported Society reaches over 600 million people worldwide each month through its media platforms, products and events. National Geographic has funded more than 11,000 research, conservation and exploration projects, and its education programs promote geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

About Jeep Brand
Built on more than 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV brand with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup includes Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep models are sold outside North America — and all are available in right-hand-drive versions and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Chrysler Group LLC sells and services vehicles in approximately 120 countries around the world.

About HEINEKEN USA
HEINEKEN USA Inc., the nation's leading upscale beer importer, is a subsidiary of Heineken International BV, the world's most international brewer. European brands imported into the U.S. include Heineken — the world's most international beer brand — Strongbow Hard Apple Ciders, Desperados, Amstel Light and Newcastle Brown Ale. HEINEKEN USA also imports the Dos Equis Franchise, Tecate Franchise, Sol, Indio, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from Mexico. For the latest information on our company and brands, follow us on Twitter @HeinekenUSACorp, or visit HEINEKENUSA.com.

SOURCE National Geographic Channel