adidas and deviantART: Celebrate Originality

May 10, 2009 by Dan Taylor    4 Comments    Posted under: News, Social Media

While partnering and running major brand contests is nothing new for deviantART, they have crossed into a new social media interactivity zone with their newest collaboration with adidas.  Dubbed as the “Celebrate Originality” campaign, adidas and deviantART have created an online fingerpainting contest that seeks to engage (and presumably draw in even more) deviantART members in a competition to create and submit original art using the worldwide know adidas ‘three stripes’.  With a user base of over 9 million members, attracting some 26 million unique views per month, there certainly isn’t a lack of talent and/or usership at deviantART.

Promoting the 60th anniversary of adidas, the contest is seeking out the most original, stylish, and celebratory entry.  Contestants can use almost limitless forms of media for their entry: traditional, digital, sculpture, photography, etc.  Instead of having the general public have to come to deviantART to view the entries, here’s where things get interesting: artists can now use an embeddable widget that can be placed anywhere on the internet (think facebook, wordpress blogs, etc.).

Naturally, adidas is not only helping to showcase the talent of entry artists, but build a nice bit of self promotion (like this article, for example) through the powerful effect of social networking and embeddable tools.

Angelo Sotira, CEO of deviantART, said: “We love that adidas Originals picked us for this project. We are really excited that they understand the art community, how vibrant it can be for their branding as well as the impact of marketing in social media.”

Sadly, open only to residents of the United States, the adidas Originals FingerPainting Contest grand prize winner will be flown to New York to view their artwork showcased at the adidas Originals store located in SoHo.  If that wasn’t enough, the winner will also receive a $2,500 Amex gift card, a $400 adidas gift card, an Online exhibition and artist bio on the adidas Originals Facebook page, a painting made in the commercial by the band The Ting Tings, and boatload of deviantART swag.  All entries must be submitted by 11:59:59 PM (PT) on May 15, 2009

Simon Atkins, Head of Sport Style Division, adidas America said: “Our Originals store is in SoHo at the epicenter of the art community in New York and so it made perfect sense for us to work with deviantART. We really believe in leveraging the viral and network effects of social media advertising. This is another example of how adidas Originals plans to connect with our fans, now and in the future.”

Win an iPhone 3G from TSheets.com!

Jun 30, 2008 by Dan Taylor    26 Comments    Posted under: Technology

Oh snap!  Ok, if the new iPhone wasn’t enough to get you juiced, how about a free one?  Right.  Let me say that again…how about a free iPhone 3G?  Un huh…and no, it’s not a scam.  This is the real deal folks, a good ol’ fashioned down home competition that isn’t all about some skeevy marketing company trying to get your email address and then repackage it.  It’s about change.  The iPhone 3G makes change in one’s life possible.

So here’s how it shakes out:  What’s the craziest/coolest/awesomest(?) thing that you do at 10 after 5?  Ok, before you start whining, yes…some of us do leave the office at (or pretty darn close to) 5pm everyday.  Which reminds me, ed. note: Remember, life is short.  Work hard, but also remember to leave the office at a decent hour.  Too much time at the office and/or working is not a good thing.

Ok, with my public service announcement out of the way, as Eminem said it best, “Let’s get down to business”.

The rules to bring home the bread are simple.  Photograph it, Film it, Blog it, hmmm…is there another media I forgot?  Anywho, you get the point.  The guys at TSheets what to know what you do at 5:10.  5:10 or Five Ten or 5ive 10, etc. must appear in your image (still or moving) or your blog.  They also need you to give ‘em a shout out here, and link yo’ junk up to TSheets.com (think SEO love).

Here’s the official skivvy from TSheets directly:

“5pm is possibly one of the most celebrated times all around the world. You’re free. Great God almighty, I’m free at last! Granted, at 10 after 5 you may or may not be calling it a day, but by most standards you’re free to go if you so choose. And this is exactly what we want to hear about. How do you rock it at 5:10? What’s the coolest, craziest, most creative thing you do at 5:10? Tell us all about it…maybe you load up the iPod and have your favorite DJ slam your subway ride home? Is 5:10 the time that you slip the wingtips under the desk, strap your Specialized shoes on and blaze through commuter traffic all the while chasing Lance Armstrong along the Champs-Élysées? Send us as many entries as you’d like. Talk to us!

All Entries must Include:

Something indicating that it is 5:10pm (examples = Picture with clock in the background, Video with clock, or blog posted at 5:10pm). Rockin’ a Flava Flav style clock is HIGHLY encouraged.

A link labeled “time tracking” linked to http://www.tsheets.com and a comment on this page so that we can find your entry.

You’ll score mad props from the judges by getting the most views or comments on your entry or if you give a shout out to TSheets. Props where props are due, but ultimately the most creative/crazy/cool post will land the ice.”

That’s it!  So now there are NO excuses NOT to have the year’s hottest bit of techno love riding in YOUR pocket.  And let’s be honest here folks…anyone that reads this blog on a regular basis MUST be slightly creative/crazy/cool…..Let ‘em hear about it!

Disclaimer: I am currently employed by TSheets.com as a copywriter (that copy was HOT wasn’t it?) and find an ethical conflict of interests, so I will not be entering this contest.  However…all of YOU are permitted to enter…so get movin’!