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Who is eSmartTax.com's New Spokesperson, Daryl Johnson?

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- eSmartTax.com, the online tax preparation and e-file service powered by Liberty Tax Service, is taking a new approach to its marketing campaign by hiring a customer as its official spokesperson. Out of 2,715 people in the United States with the same name, Daryl Johnson of Richmond, Virginia was selected and hired in the fall of 2009. Unlike a celebrity spokesperson, Daryl represents the millions of everyday tax filers, who -- just like Daryl -- work hard, play hard and want to receive the biggest, fastest refund they deserve come tax season.

eSmart Tax first introduced Daryl to his hometown of Richmond with radio, television and web ads. Additionally, motorists traveling on I-195 can see what Daryl is up to via his digital billboard, which beams his Twitter musings in real-time. His friends -- old and new -- are amazed when they pass his Twitter billboard; and many have left their comments on his Facebook page. Now, everyone across America can become better acquainted with Daryl through several hilarious videos online, including one version at YouTube.com/eSmartTax, where Daryl spends his entire refund at a nightclub, surrounded by lovely ladies.

"It's been a dream -- really," said Daryl Johnson of his new found celebrity. "You file your taxes like the next guy and then you get a call to say you can be the spokesperson for a national tax filing service. I mean, I'm just a regular guy that owns a lawn care business -- I'm not an actor or a model by any means -- but now I'm on a billboard and I'm in radio, television and online ads. It's surreal. Awesome, but surreal."

So who is Daryl Johnson, really? Known as "Deagle" to his friends, he's a humble, 28-year-old, golf-playing, lawn care company owner who roots for the University of Virginia and Pittsburgh Steelers, and is solidly "Team Edward." He likes traveling and spending time with friends, and is described as having a big heart and an infectious enthusiasm for life. Now, through his burgeoning celebrity status and growing fan-base on Facebook and Twitter, Daryl's the face of eSmart Tax, letting millions of e-filers know that they, too, can maximize their refund accurately and affordably, and with as little hassle as possible.

Daryl's becoming very popular on the micro-blogging site Twitter.com, where he gives away a $100 VISA gift card each day to his followers in the "Makin' It Rain" daily drawing. Daryl's Twitter followers "tweet" him telling him how they're going to spend their tax refund and they're automatically entered to win the daily prize. (Contest rules are here.)

So get to know Daryl, and find out why people will join him in filing their taxes online with eSmart Tax this year.

Daryl can be found on Twitter at @TheDarylJohnson, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iamajohnson, and on YouTube.com at www.youtube.com/esmarttax.

About eSmart Tax

eSmart Tax is a subsidiary of Liberty Tax Service, supported by 3,400 conveniently located Liberty Tax retail offices and 15,000 Liberty Tax preparers nationwide. Founded in 1997 by CEO John T. Hewitt, a pioneer in the tax industry, Liberty Tax Service has prepared over 6,000,000 individual income tax returns. With 39 years of industry experience, Hewitt stands as the most experienced CEO in the tax preparation business. This wealth of experience is reflected through every step of eSmart's federal and state online tax filing service.

SOURCE eSmart Tax