If you have been watching the comments, you may have noticed that one of our regular contest competitors wrote to let us know that he was notified that a contest that he found on VidOpp.com, which he was well positioned to win (for $5000!) had been cancelled on the last day of competition. The story now has a happy ending . . .
Here is the note he told us he got from the sponsor:
Thank you so much for participating in the Stamp Your Feet, Donna Summer Competition. We truly appreciate your efforts and want to commend you on putting together a really awesome piece. Unfortunately, due to lack of entries – we’ve had to close the channel. We’d love to show our thanks by sending you an OurStage schwag bag full of goodies and the new Donna Summer CD. Please let us know your t-shirt size and we’ll get that out asap. Again, we really appreciate your participation in the channel and we’re sorry that it had to be closed. Please keep an eye out for more opportunities with us in the future : )
VidOpp felt that we could not stand by and allow this, for the good of our community and the integrity of the video contest industry. We immediately wrote to our contacts at OurStage (note: OurStage was a previous sponsor of VidOpp and we generally have great respect for the quality of OurStage’s competitions and judging platform, among the best in the business). Here is the note we wrote:
I am afraid we have had a very serious complaint about OurStage on VidOpp.com. We are writing a front page story on it, and we would really like to have your perspective. From what we have been told, it appears OurStage has reneged on a $5000 contest award, one of the most serious accusations I could imagine for a site that makes contest hosting its core business. Please let me know what OurStage has to say on this, because I think it will be a seriously troubling issue to our audience.
OurStage responded immediately, arranging a conversation with the VP in charge of this contest. We had an in depth discussion on the situation and possible solutions. The OurStage executive stated that although OurStage put considerable resources into promoting the contest on MySpace and Facebook, they had only received two entries by the end of the contest entry period. The rules state that at least 20 entries must be received for the contest to continue to final judging.
VidOpp suggested extending the contest due date and investing in more marketing through Google and Yahoo search ads. We firmly stated the position that all efforts must be made to award announced contest prizes. The OurStage executive told VidOpp that he had been working with SonyBMG, the record label sponsoring the contest, to determine the best course of action. He assured us that OurStage was working hard to find a solution that would satisfy the video contest competitors who worked hard to prepare strong entries, and the contest sponsor who wanted to hold a successful contest with numerous entrants.
VidOpp’s contacts at OurStage have told us that they will follow up with us when they have reached a conclusion with the contest sponsor and the competitors. We will be watching this closely and keeping you up to date, as the integrity of the contests we bring to you is of critical importance to everyone in the video contest community. Let’s all hope that OurStage and SonyBMG do the right thing with this opportunity to further the reputations of their brands.
We received a call Tuesday evening from OurStage, and working with the sponsor they have contacted the #1 finalist and awarded the entire $5000. We are very happy with the outcome, and the fact that our faith in OurStage and the video contest platform has proved justified. Keep up the good work and you will be rewarded. Oh, and don’t hesitate to enter, because there may only be a few competitors for serious cash!
holly crap. just 2 entries?! wow. that is bad.
at least they stated in the rules they must get at least 20 entries. looks like their covered.
maybe they should give the 2 that entered $1000 each.
Great that Vidopp is resolving this in a professional manner on behalf of the entrants. Certainly I can understand Ourstage’s stance–$5,000 is sizeable chunk for a disappointing number of entries (2), though a “bag of schwag” is just as disapointing to the entriants. In my opinion, extending deadlines is incredibly frustrating and rarely attracts more entries, (the BS Flags contest “reserved the right to extend” their contest. They did EACH month from Oct to Jan. Frustrating ). What would I do? I guess it all depends on the panel of judge’s decision of the quality of the 2 entries. If the entries look like they took a lot of work, time, they’re original and creative, I’d split the $5,000 by the minimum number of entries (20), and give each “quality” entry $250. (I say “quality” because it’d be pretty lame if someone just made a low-quality entry just to exploit the contest). But for $250, I wouldn’t complain especially since Ourstage is technically not obligated to do/give anything, but it’d be big of them of they did give something cool. Their call.
Thanks vidopp!
Briobox did the same thing earlier this year but for $50K! I even found their number in MN and left a message to no avail!
Stop being children. The rules are in place for a reason, and this is business. If you don’t like it, don’t play. These companies don’t advertise to lose money. Remember what country you are in. It’s a capitalist world, so knock off the hippe *&^%, strap on a helmet and start shooting.
Wow. I’m impressed.
Go Ourstage.
maybe they should of split the prize. i mean how bad must the other guy feel. only 2 entries, and he still lost.
What I would have done is have 18 of my friends create really crappy entries- and then give them each like $10 from the winnings