{
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    "title" : "Creative Challenge Contests |Digital.gov",
    "description": "Creative Challenge Contests",
    "home_page_url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/","feed_url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2013/10/31/creative-challenge-contests/index.json","item" : [
    {"title" :"Creative Challenge Contests","summary" : "Multimedia, Photo, Poster, Design Challenge and prize competitions are one path that federal agencies take to drive innovation and solve mission-centric problems—whether technical, scientific, or creative. Creative competitions include multimedia, photo, poster, and design competitions. Here you’ll find tips on running a creative challenge, resources, examples, and information about online platforms you can use to","date" : "2013-10-31T14:21:03-04:00","date_modified" : "2025-01-27T19:42:55-05:00","authors" : {"ktrebon" : "Karen Trebon"},"topics" : {
        
            "analytics" : "Analytics",
            "challenges-and-prize-competitions" : "Challenges and prize competitions",
            "social-media" : "Social media"
            },"branch" : "bc-archive-content-3",
      "filename" :"2013-10-31-creative-challenge-contests.md",
      
      "filepath" :"news/2013/10/2013-10-31-creative-challenge-contests.md",
      "filepathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/blob/bc-archive-content-3/content/news/2013/10/2013-10-31-creative-challenge-contests.md",
      "editpathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/edit/bc-archive-content-3/content/news/2013/10/2013-10-31-creative-challenge-contests.md","slug" : "creative-challenge-contests","url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2013/10/31/creative-challenge-contests/","content" :"\u003cp\u003eChallenge and prize competitions are one path that federal agencies take to drive innovation and solve mission-centric problems—whether technical, scientific, or creative. Creative competitions include multimedia, photo, poster, and design competitions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere you’ll find tips on running a creative challenge, resources, examples, and information about online platforms you can use to host your competition.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"definition\"\u003eDefinition\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCreative competitions and challenges are about (1) seeking professional, high-quality products, (2) aimed at driving mass citizen awareness and engagement around the message in the challenge, or (3) both. Agencies use this approach to get solvers to create videos, take photographs, make posters, or submit a design concept. A creative video challenge should not be confused with another type of challenge that allows solvers to submit a video of their technical or scientific concepts (please see \u003ca href=\"/2013/11/06/software-and-apps-challenges/\" title=\"Software and Apps Challenges\"\u003eSoftware and Apps Challenges\u003c/a\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"tips-for-challenge-managers\"\u003eTips for Challenge Managers\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClearly define the problem\u003c/strong\u003e: For creative challenges, use plain language to tell the entrants what you are looking for and any parameters you expect them to follow.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGo pro or amateur\u003c/strong\u003e: Decide whether you are in need of a professional-quality solution or if the goal is to have amateur content with a mission to share a message with a large audience. That will help you decide which platform will work best for your goals.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDefine your mission statement\u003c/strong\u003e: A clear mission statement helps direct the participants and the evaluating entity throughout the process. The same applies to the evaluation criteria; these should be outlined at the beginning to focus submissions toward a usable solution.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutline legal and policy guidelines\u003c/strong\u003e: Policies should be clearly defined—those to which the creative challenge must comply, as well as those that govern the kinds of submissions allowed, copyright, intellectual property rights, and Terms of Use.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrack program metrics\u003c/strong\u003e: Have a clear plan of how you will evaluate the challenge. Depending on the mission, the number of submissions, attention on social media, popularity of submissions, etc., are useful measures of challenge success.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlan communication strategy\u003c/strong\u003e: Consider how you will communicate with your community and how often. Be prepared to invest staff time in reading and responding to competition entrants, especially in the few days leading up to the competition deadline. Updating the community frequently helps to engage the participants as part of the process. The more engagement you have with people, the better opportunity for solid and increasingly innovative results.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDefine the evaluation process\u003c/strong\u003e: It can vary depending on the overall goals of the challenge. For stronger community engagement, you might consider more peer-centered judging. To lend greater authority to the decision, you might want to have expert judges or internal representatives lead the evaluation process.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlan for implementation\u003c/strong\u003e: In order for people to participate in current and future efforts, you must invest time to provide feedback and actually \u003cstrong\u003eimplement\u003c/strong\u003e winning ideas.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKnow what motivates entrants\u003c/strong\u003e: Research shows that prizes or money are not key motivators for entrants. People want to feel like they helped, made a difference, or improved something.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"examples\"\u003eExamples\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCenters for Disease Control and Prevention\u003c/strong\u003e has run a number of creative challenges, including: \u003ca href=\"http://healthyswimming.challengepost.com/\"\u003eHealthy Swimming\u003c/a\u003e video competition, \u003ca href=\"http://vetoviolence.challengepost.com/\"\u003eVeto Violence Public Service Announcement\u003c/a\u003e competition, and \u003ca href=\"http://beheadsup.challengepost.com/\"\u003eHeads Up\u003c/a\u003e poster design competition.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDepartment of the Interior\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://challenge.gov/DOI\"\u003ephoto challenges\u003c/a\u003e include national and natural landmarks, as well as challenges for military families.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S. Mint\u003c/strong\u003e used a \u003ca href=\"http://batterup.challengepost.com/\"\u003edesign challenge\u003c/a\u003e to create a new Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coin.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNASA\u003c/strong\u003e received professional quality video and worldwide attention for its \u003ca href=\"http://tongal.com/sponsor/NASA\"\u003etwo multimedia challenges\u003c/a\u003e: video time capsules and to promote the zero robotics challenge.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"criteria-for-choosing-a-platform\"\u003eCriteria for Choosing a Platform\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are some criteria for choosing a multimedia platform. Add or subtract to tailor this list to your needs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeneral\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoes this tool have (or has it had) any federal government clients?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIs the tool 508 compliant?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow many solvers visit the site? How does the site reach out to the community?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow much does it cost per challenge? For an enterprise license? Is a free trial available?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFunctionality\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoes this tool have the ability to display submissions in a gallery for public viewing?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIs there the ability to keep submissions private?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCitizens can:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasily create an account with an email address\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShare the challenge or their submission with friends and family via social media\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReceive email updates on the challenge\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAsk the agency questions and receive feedback\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFederal agencies can:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrand the challenge with agency seal, photos, video, etc.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep submissions private, make them all public, or a mix of the two\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasily receive and answer questions from entrants\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConduct judging online, or easily download submissions\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHave a public voting component\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffer a prize at the end for best app and publicize\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"platforms-and-tools-for-creative-challenges\"\u003ePlatforms and Tools for Creative Challenges\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe following list of tools and challenge platforms is provided as a resource and is not an endorsement for any company or technology. Those companies that are on the GSA Schedule \u003ca href=\"http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/sinDetails.do?scheduleNumber=541\u0026amp;specialItemNumber=541+4G\u0026amp;executeQuery=YES\"\u003e541-4G for Challenges \u0026amp; Competition Services\u003c/a\u003e are noted with (GS) next to the company name. Those that have a federal-compatible terms of service are noted with a (ToS) next to the company name.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"youtube-tos\"\u003eYouTube (ToS)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMillions of people are already creating video and posting on \u003ca href=\"http://www.youtube.com/\"\u003eYouTube\u003c/a\u003e, so this is a prime spot for finding contestants. The platform has \u003ca href=\"https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1620498?hl=en\u0026amp;topic=1304541\"\u003eContest Policies \u0026amp; Guidelines\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1100988?hl=en\"\u003eContest Best Practices\u003c/a\u003e for you to consult. Or reach out to a live person who works with federal clients, \u003ca href=\"mailto:government@youtube.com\"\u003egovernment@youtube.com\u003c/a\u003e. One tool with this platform is \u003ca href=\"https://developers.google.com/youtube/ytdirect\"\u003eYouTube Direct\u003c/a\u003e, a gadget with an API feed that goes on your main contest page (agency site, blog, etc.) to collect and organize video submissions. This gadget helps the video creator choose what they want to submit, the video then goes to your admin file where you can screen, filter, and manage the videos that will show up on your site.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"facebook-tos\"\u003eFacebook (ToS)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003ca href=\"http://www.facebook.com/\"\u003esocial site\u003c/a\u003e now allows page administrators to manage promotions and contests without using an app. This blog post explains how it can be done and provides for a set of \u003ca href=\"https://fbcdn-dragon-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/851577_158705844322839_2031667568_n.pdf\"\u003eplatform and contest guidelines\u003c/a\u003e. This is entirely a self-serve platform where page administrators are responsible for knowing how to use the tools, reach the target audience, and manage the community.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"pinterest-tos\"\u003ePinterest (ToS)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.pinterest.com/\"\u003ePinterest\u003c/a\u003e is an interactive social site where users share images on their boards and “pin” things they like for themselves and others. See \u003ca href=\"http://www.pinterest.com/pinchat/contests-on-pinterest/\"\u003eContests on Pinterest\u003c/a\u003e for examples and information about hosting a challenge on the site. Buick’s \u003ca href=\"http://blogs.forrester.com/reineke_reitsma/13-04-12-the_data_digest_the_unique_profile_of_pinterest_users\"\u003edesign challenge\u003c/a\u003e on this platform impacted interior and exterior design for one of the company’s cars. See more examples and analysis in HubSpot’s \u003ca href=\"http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/33845/8-Real-Life-Examples-of-Engaging-Pinterest-Contests.aspx\"\u003e8 Real-Life Examples of Engaging Pinterest Contests\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"flickr-tos\"\u003eFlickr (ToS)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA social photo sharing site, \u003ca href=\"http://www.flickr.com/\"\u003eFlickr\u003c/a\u003e is home to dozens of \u003ca href=\"http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=contest\"\u003ephoto contests\u003c/a\u003e on any given day and boasts millions of users worldwide. Pro photo bloggers talk about the ease of use and community on this platform: \u003ca href=\"http://rising.blackstar.com/flickr-makes-photo-contests-easier.html\"\u003eFlickr Makes Photo Contests Easier\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"instagram-tos\"\u003eInstagram (ToS)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond being known for its easy-to-use image filters, this \u003ca href=\"http://instagram.com/\"\u003eactive photo sharing community\u003c/a\u003e now has video capability, too. Challenges are popular and easy to manage with a few basic tools, plus an API for materials so you can have a feed go right to your website, and social tools to post images on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. Read the IG blog, \u003ca href=\"http://blog.instagram.com/post/8758205264/how-to-host-a-photo-contest-on-instagram\"\u003eHow to Host a Photo Contest on Instagram\u003c/a\u003e for more details, including a community contact for any of your questions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"tongal-gs-partner-via-topcoder\"\u003eTongal (GS partner via TopCoder)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://tongal.com/home\"\u003eTongal\u003c/a\u003e is a worldwide, professional creative crowdsourcing platform. Whether you want concepts, CGI, animation, voice overs, or live actors, this site lets you choose from among the pitches and talent that fits your challenge goals. The platform provides \u003ca href=\"http://tongal.com/dev/watchTutorial.html?id=1015\"\u003etutorial videos\u003c/a\u003e (also crowdsourced), a community forum, and gamification (win points!) for participants. Major brands are using the platform as an alternative to traditional advertising creative development. In government, NASA received professional quality video and worldwide attention for its \u003ca href=\"http://tongal.com/sponsor/NASA\"\u003etwo multimedia challenges\u003c/a\u003e produced through Tongal: Video time capsules and video to promote the Zero Robotics challenge.\u003c/p\u003e\n"}
  ]
}