sweepstakes Archive

Wayne Sutton has created the "What Is Twitter in 140 Seconds" contest. The idea is to create a video library of Twitter users who answer the question, "What is Twitter?" There’s a variety of prizes including an iPhone and an iPod.  You have until June 23, 2008 to enter. Here are the rules:

1. Create video 
2. Video must be less than 140 secs.
3. Video must be tagged: whatistwitter
4. Submit video via form or hosting site.
5. Tweet #whatistwitter along with video url  

Wayne has created a video explaining the contest:

Here is an example video from Tara Hunt:

Update: Nate Westhimer points us to WTFisTwitter for more video definitions.

Ok – here is the exciting, fun, enjoyable, motivating, sexy challenge…. it's the first annual CenterNetworks SXSW Postcard Challenge.

I will award $100 in cash (or Amazon gift cards) as $50 first place, then 2x$25. To win is easy… pick up a CN postcard – I have placed them all over the tables at SXSW or pick up a card from me. Once you have the card, take a pic with the card and send me the picture.

I will pick the funniest, sexiest, craziest, whateverist pictures once the conference is over. I will be in 18ABCD from 3-5 and then 12AB from 5-6 then the Awards from 7-9.

So what'chu gonna do when the postcard challenge rocks SXSW and YOU!

traineo has launched a contest along with the Nintendo Wii to award a Wii package to the person who uploads the best motivational video to YouTube. I am betting many of the videos will actually use the Wii as part of the motivation.

Besides the promotion,  you can also join the Wii traineo group and become part of the community. I think this is the next evolution of Weight Watchers. Community support and tools to support your weight loss.

traineo CEO Alasdair McLean-Foreman told me this afternoon, "I think like a lot of people we were pretty surprised as to how much interest the Wii has had a 'fitness tool'. In the same way Nintendo is revolutionizing the gaming industry we're working to do the same in health and fitness on the web with traineo – the idea to setup a competition for our users made sense and we're excited to see the response."

Also check out the story of one Wii'r, Mickey, who created a video about how he used the Wii to lose weight. He has been all over the press, both on and offline, and now has a book deal! About half way down the page he discusses his usage of traineo.

Check out our other coverage of traineo and YouTube.

Today, Microsoft has launched “ideawins.com” – a contest to find the next big small business idea. They are offering the winner $100k, a NYC storefront (another $100k) and a lot more. Looks really great. And the flash design is quite spectacular as well!

GET YOUR IDEAS IN PEOPLE…. for most of us, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. If you need help filling out the application, I am happy to help you. Just get those ideas in people. I know I am.

From their release:

The contest, which is live at http://www.ideawins.com/, has been designed to spur the imagination and spirit of entrepreneurism that drives small businesses. The winner — the business with the most innovative business idea — will receive $100,000 in business startup money, a Manhattan-area storefront for one year rent-free, and infrastructure and software to help run the business.

“We know there are lots of great ideas out there from people just waiting to start their own business, and we want to make their dream come true,” said Rajat Taneja, general manager of Small Business Applications and Services at Microsoft. “The Ultimate Challenge is all about getting entrepreneurs to take steps toward living their dream and pursuing the spirit of Americana. The idea behind this contest is to galvanize entrepreneurs into action and make sure they have the right tools, such as Office Accounting Express, to translate their vision into reality.”

Starting today Microsoft will review applications received through the http://www.ideawins.com/ Web site or submitted in person at upcoming Ultimate Challenge events. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 31, 2007. Submissions will be judged and scored on the following criteria: marketing approach, financial and logistic feasibility, originality, and public interest.

As part of the nationwide search, Microsoft will deploy the Ultimate Challenge Van, an RV tour that will begin its journey in Times Square on Nov. 28 and make stops in Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago and Atlanta through January. The Ultimate Challenge Van will be a destination where contestants can go to submit their applications and meet Microsoft representatives and successful local business leaders to help finalize their http://www.ideawins.com/ contest submission.