Microsoft Ad Story Awards
Microsoft is inviting all marketers to show the planet what it means to be the world's most innovative digital storyteller in their latest contest - the Microsoft Advertising Story Awards. Create a hypothetical digital media plan and creative idea for a brand or non-profit organization of your choice. Address a 'key business challenge' for that organization's 2012 or 2013 calendar year using Microsoft Advertising's storytelling platforms. Register and submit your entries to Microsoft's contest website. The contest is divided into two (2) stages, the qualifying and global round. The winners in the qualifying round will advance to the global finals wherein two (2) global winners will be crowned with the Global Microsoft Advertising Story Award for 2012. In addition, you will also get an exclusive VIP trip as Microsoft Advertising's guests to the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity 2012 which will take place in Cannes, France.
Contest Requirements:
- Teams of 1-2 individuals who are authorized representative/s of an advertising/creative agency, a media agency, or a direct advertiser, or any other entity that provides professional services in the advertising industry NOTE: The company is not addressed in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria
- Log on and register to Microsoft Advertising Story Awards website. You will then receive a submission form and registration ID number
- Two (2) Categories: Create a forward-looking, world-class media plan for any of the following categories that addresses a 'key business challenge' for that organization's 2012 or 2013 calendar year using Microsoft Advertising's storytelling
platforms (MSN, Mobile, Windows Live, Xbox, Messenger, etc) - Brand
- Non-Profit Organization
- Entry Guidelines:
- Original or created by the Company you represent
- You have obtained permission from any recognizable person (parent/guardian, if a minor) that appears in the media plan to submit your entry and to use their personal data for the purposes of the competition (if applicable)
- Entry has not been selected as a prize winner in any other competition
- If you include creative, it must include the following statement superimposed on at least one of the pages: "This creative presentation is for illustrative purposes only and is not for commercial or public use."
- Your entry cannot advertise any Microsoft product, service, or offering
- Shall not contain any content or work created under any services agreement with Microsoft
- Upload your entries to Microsoft Advertising Story Awards website using your registration ID number
- Winners in the qualifying round held across multiple countries worldwide will move on to the global finals wherein entries will be resubmitted to a panel of industry experts worldwide
- Judging Criteria:
- 40% - Strength of overall idea
- 30% - Most innovative use of MSA ad solutions
- 15% - Assessment probability that KPIs/Metrics are met
- 15% - Creative impact
- Submit as many entries as you can
- View complete contest mechanics
- Qualifying Round:
- Submission until March 31, 2012
- Announcement of Winners - April 2012
- Global Finals:
- Global Contest Judging Period - May 1 - 20, 2012
- Announcement of Winners - Before June 10, 2012
- Global Winner Travel Date: June 17 - 23, 2012
- One (1) winner in each category will EACH receive a VIP trip for two (2) to Cannes, France which includes:
- Round trip coach airfare from major airport closest to winner's home to Cannes, France
- Round trip ground transportation from airport to hotel in Cannes
- Seven (7) night's hotel accommodations
- Two (2) tickets to attend the 2012 Cannes Lions Awards
- Approximate retail value of USD10,000 per person
- Title of Global Microsoft Advertising Story Award for 2012
Upside
- Travel and cash prize
- FREE to join
- Online submission
- International competition
- Prize is not transferable and non-convertible to cash
