Mass. man is Heinz video contest finalist

It combines a bit of YouTube and a bit of American Idol, and this competition may be the biggest thing to hit ketchup since the wide-mouth bottle.

H J Heinz Co., a Pittsburgh outfit known for pickles and condiments, has mounted a "Top This" challenge to all aspiring video artists to come up with the next great TV ad for Heinz Ketchup.

According to Heinz, 4,157 qualified video entries have been submitted, and the field has been whittled down to 15 semi-finalists.

Through Sept. 10, ketchup lovers can vote for their favorite entry on the website topthistv.com, the company said.

The winner will receive $57,000 and see his or her commercial air during the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 16; four runner-up ads will air the following day on The Today Show.

One semi-finalist has Massachusetts roots. According to Heinz publicists, Michael Moretti is a Wilbraham native now trying to break into the film industry in Southern California.

Moretti's entry, titled "Heinz Sight," unfolds in a biker bar where inspired by ketchup, tattooed bruisers break into a Busby Berkeley-style song-and-dance routine.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)