DesignSherpa "What Inspires You" Contest
EligibilityEligibility: (top)
The DesignSherpa "What Inspires You" Contest ("Contest") is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia age 18 or older as of 4/12/10. Employees of DesignSherpa ("Sponsor"), TMG Brand Communications & each of their respective parent companies, affiliates, franchisees, licensees, distributors, suppliers, subsidiaries, retailers, advertising/promotion agencies, & Project Support Team, Inc. ("P/S/T") (collectively, "Released Parties") & members of the immediate family (mother, father, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters & spouses, and their respective spouses regardless of where they reside) & household members of each such employee whether or not related are not eligible to participate. Contest subject to applicable federal, state & local laws & regulations.
How to Participate: (top)
a) Visit http://design-sherpa.com between 12:00:01AM Eastern Time ("ET") on 4/12/10 & 11:59:59PM ET on 6/21/10 ("Promotion Period"); b) Complete the entry form according to the instructions provided; c) upload an inspirational home design image (in JPEG format and no larger than 4MB in size) and submit an essay of no more than one hundred (100) words describing why the image is inspirational to you (hereafter, collectively with image and essay, "First Round Submission"); & d) Click "Submit" button. Essay word count, counting all words including "I", "a", etc., cannot exceed one hundred (100) words. Limit (1) First Round Submission per person and per valid email address for the duration of the Promotion Period. Additional First Round Submissions received from any person or email address during the Promotion Period will be void. First Round Submission will be judged on the essay contents only. Inspirational image will not be judged. All First Round Submissions should comply with the Submission Requirements set forth below.
For the purposes of these Official Rules, First, Second, Third and Fourth Round Submissions may sometimes be collectively referred to herein as "Submissions". Submissions generated by script, macro or other automated means and Submissions by any means which subvert the participation process will be void. Making a Submission constitutes your representation of compliance with the eligibility requirements set forth in these Official Rules & your consent for Sponsor to obtain, use, & transfer your name, address & other information for the purpose of Contest administration. Released Parties are not responsible for incomplete, lost, late, damaged, stolen, or misdirected Submissions; theft, destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, Submissions; failures or malfunctions of phones, phone lines or telephone systems; interrupted or unavailable network, server, cable, satellite, Internet Service Provider (ISP) or other connections; any error, omission, interruption, defect or delay in any transmission or communication; traffic congestion on the Internet or any technical problem, including but not limited to any injury or damage to entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from Contest participation; printing or typographical errors or omissions in these Official Rules, in any Contest-related advertisements or other materials, in the processing of Submissions, in the selection or announcement of winner, or in the awarding of prize; or other problems or errors of any kind whether computer, network, mechanical, human, electronic, typographical, printing or otherwise. Sponsor reserves the right to void any & all Submissions of an entrant who Sponsor believes has attempted to tamper with, influence or impair the administration, security, fairness, judging or proper play of this Contest. All Submissions become the property of Sponsor & will not be returned.
Winner Determination: (top)
Phase 1 Judging: Winner determination for this Contest will occur in four phases. A total of one hundred (100) entrants will be determined from among all valid & eligible First Round Submissions received during the Promotion Period. First Round Submissions will be judged by an independent panel of judges ("judges") whose determinations will be final & binding on all matters relating to the Contest. Judging (of the essays only) will be based on the following: 1) Originality: 0-30 points; 2) Creativity/Written Expression: 0-30 points; & 3) Relevance to Theme: 0-40 points. Subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules, the one hundred (100) entrants with the highest total scores based on above judging procedure will move onto Phase 2 of the Contest. In the event of a tie, the entrant with the highest score in Originality will move onto Phase 2 of the Contest. If a tie still exists, from among the remaining pool of tied entrants, the entrant with the highest score in Creativity/Written Expression, & then in Relevance to Theme (if & as necessary to break tie), will move onto Phase 2 of the Contest. Sponsor reserves the right to advance fewer than one hundred (100) entrants to Phase 2 if, in its sole discretion, it does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified First Round Submissions.
Top 100 Notification & Second Round Submission:The potential top one hundred (100) entrants will be notified by telephone, email, and/or mail on or about 7/19/10. If any notification or documents are returned as undeliverable, or a potential top one hundred (100) entrant is determined to be ineligible for whatever reason, he/she may be disqualified & the runner-up with the next-highest total score may be declared part of the top one hundred (100). The top one hundred (100) will be required to visit http://design-sherpa.com and submit a three hundred fifty (350) word post about an interior or architectural design topic that communicates both your unique passion for design and writing style (each, a "Second Round Submission"), in accordance with any instructions provided by Sponsor. All submissions must be received by 8/9/10. Noncompliance with any of the foregoing or with these Official Rules or the inability to contact a potential top one hundred (100) entrant within a reasonable time period (as determined by Sponsor) may result in disqualification & Sponsor's identification and notification of a runner-up. All Second Round Submissions should comply with the Submission Requirements set forth below.
Phase 2 Judging: A total of ten (10) entrants will be determined from among all valid & eligible Second Round Submissions received as described above. Second Round Submissions (only the Second Round Submissions will be judged and not elements from prior Rounds) will be judged by judges, whose determinations will be final & binding on all matters relating to the Contest. Judging will be based on the following: 1) Originality: 0-30 points; 2) Creativity/Written Expression: 0-30 points; & 3) Relevance to Theme: 0-40 points. Subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules, the ten (10) entrants with the highest total scores based on above judging procedure will move onto Phase 3 of the Contest. In the event of a tie, the entrant with the highest score in Originality move onto Phase 3 of the Contest. If a tie still exists, from among the remaining pool of tied entrants, the entrant with the highest score in Creativity/Written Expression, & then in Relevance to Theme (if & as necessary to break tie), will move onto Phase 3 of the Contest. Sponsor reserves the right to advance fewer than ten (10) entrants to Phase 3 if, in its sole discretion, it does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified Second Round Submissions.
Top 10 Notification & Third Round Submission: The potential top ten (10) entrants will be notified by telephone, email, and/or mail on or about 9/10/10. If any notification or documents are returned as undeliverable, or a potential top ten (10) entrant is determined to be ineligible for whatever reason, he/she may be disqualified & the runner-up with the next-highest total score may be declared part of the top ten (10). The top ten (10) entrants will be required to submit additional materials to Sponsor in the accordance with the directions provided within (5) business days of date of issuance of notification as follows: 1) Executed Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release & (where legal) Publicity Release & 2) Visit http://design-sherpa.com and submit a video of no longer than three (3) minutes by 10/1/10 that is both entertaining and informative about some element of home design (each, a "Third Round Submission"), in accordance with any additional instructions provided by Sponsor. Video submissions must be in .mpeg, .mov, .wmv, .avi, .mp4 or .flv format and no larger than 10MB in size. Noncompliance with any of the foregoing or with these Official Rules or the inability to contact a potential top ten (10) entrant within a reasonable time period (as determined by Sponsor) may result in disqualification & Sponsor's identification and notification of, a runner-up. All Third Round Submissions should comply with the Submission Requirements set forth below.
Phase 3 Judging: A total of three (3) Finalists will be determined from among all valid & eligible Third Round Submissions received as described above. Third Round Submissions (only Third Round Submissions will be judged and not elements from prior Rounds) will be judged by judges, whose determinations will be final & binding on all matters relating to the Contest. Judging will be based on the following: 1) Originality: 0-30 points; 2) Creativity: 0-30 points; & 3) Relevance to Theme: 0-40 points. Subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules, he three (3) entrants with the highest total scores based on above judging procedure will be deemed "Finalists" and move onto Phase 4 of the Contest. In the event of a tie, the entrant with the highest score in Originality move onto Phase 4 of the Contest. If a tie still exists, from among the remaining pool of tied entrants, the entrant with the highest score in Creativity, & then in Relevance to Theme (if & as necessary to break tie), will move onto Phase 4 of the Contest. Sponsor reserves the right to select fewer than three (3) Finalists to advance to Phase 4 if, in its sole discretion, it does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified Third Round Submissions.
Finalist Notification & Fourth Round Submission:. The three potential (3) Finalists will be notified by telephone, email, and/or mail on/about 10/15/10 and may be required to sign additional documents within a time period specified by Sponsor. If any Finalist notification or documents are returned as undeliverable, or a potential Finalist is determined to be ineligible for whatever reason, the potential Finalist may be disqualified & the runner-up with the next-highest total score may be declared a Finalist. Each Finalist will be required to provide a personal interview via phone as determined by Sponsor. Each Finalist grants the right to Sponsor to record, videotape, and photograph the Interview ("Footage" ). Footage will be owned by Sponsor. Sponsor and its designees shall have the right to use, edit, adapt, post, stream, copy and exploit such Footage and all elements embodied therein, including any names, likenesses and the performances embodied therein, in any and all media now known or hereafter devised throughout the world, in perpetuity, for advertising, promotional, trade & other purposes without compensation to or permission from such Finalists. Noncompliance with any of the foregoing or with these Official Rules or the inability to contact a potential Finalist within a reasonable time period (as determined by Sponsor) may result in disqualification & Sponsor's identification and notification of, a runner-up.
Phase 4 Grand Prize Winner Determination: One (1) Grand Prize winner will be selected from the (3) Finalist Interviews. Interviews will be evaluated based on the following: 1) Design Perspective and Sensibility: 0-40 points; & 2) Vitality and Energy: 0-60 points. Only the Interview will be evaluated and not elements from prior Rounds. Subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules, the Finalist with the highest total score based on the above judging procedure will be declared the Grand Prize winner. In the event of a tie, the Finalist with the highest score in Design Perspective and Sensibility will be declared the winner. If a tie still exists, from among the remaining pool of tied Finalists, the Finalist with the highest score in personal interview will be declared the winner. Sponsor reserves the right not to award the Grand Prize if, in its sole discretion, it does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified Interviews.
Grand Prize Winner Notification: Potential Grand Prize winner will be selected by judges on/about 11/7/10 & will be notified by telephone and/or mail. Potential Grand Prize winner may be required to execute and return additional documents within a time period specified by Sponsor. If mailed Grand Prize notification or documents are returned as undeliverable, or the Grand Prize winner is determined to be ineligible for whatever reason, a runner-up may be selected. Noncompliance with any of the foregoing or with these Official Rules or the inability to contact the potential Grand Prize winner within a reasonable time period (as determined by Sponsor) may result in disqualification & Sponsor's identification and notification of, a runner-up. If potential Grand Prize winner is an eligible minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, Sponsor reserves the right to award the prize in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian who will be responsible for fulfilling all requirements imposed on winner set forth herein.
Submission Requirements: (top)
In addition to complying with any additional instructions provided by Sponsor (incorporated herein by reference), all Submissions must comply with the below. Submission may not contain, as determined by the Sponsor, in its sole discretion, any content that:
Submission must be in English, be the original work of the entrant, may not have been previously published, may not have won previous awards, and must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity. If the Submission contains any material or elements that are not owned by the entrant, and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, the entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to making any Submission, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the use and exhibition of the Submission by Sponsor in the manner set forth in these Official Rules, including, without limitation, name and likeness permissions from any person who appears in or is identifiable in the Submission. Sponsor reserves the right to request proof of these permissions in a form acceptable to Sponsor from any entrant at any time. Failure to provide such proof may, if requested, render Entry null and void. By submitting a Submission, entrant warrants and represents that he/she and any persons appearing or who are identifiable in the Submission consent to the submission and use of the Submission in the Contest and to its use as otherwise set forth herein.
Prize: (top)
One (1) Grand Prize: A prize package consisting of the following: 1.) $10,000 awarded in the form of a check and the opportunity to contribute to the community of DesignSherpa blogs.); 2.) 10-day/9-night trip for one to Paris, France in January 2011 consisting of round-trip coach air transportation from major airport nearest to winner's residence in the U.S., standard hotel Accommodations at Hotel Recamier (designed by Jean-Louis Deniot), and (1) 4-day VIP passes to the annual 'Maison & Objet' trade show in Paris in January 2011 (Approximate Retail Value "ARV"=$20,000). Actual prize value will vary depending on winner's city of departure. Travel and hotel arrangements determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion and must be made through Sponsor's agent, on a carrier of Sponsor's choice. Trip must be taken on dates and times designated by Sponsor or prize will be forfeited in its entirety and may be awarded to an alternate winner. Sponsor reserves right to change dates. Winner is responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents, including passports and visas (if applicable) prior to travel. If the any event is canceled or postponed for any reason, travel prize will be awarded less applicable prize-related activity(s) and Sponsor will substitute that activity(s) with an item(s)/activity(s) of comparable or greater value as determined solely by Sponsor and no additional compensation prize will be awarded to winner in such event. Winner must comply with event/tour rules and regulations. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of applicable prize element. All prize details are at Sponsor's sole discretion. Certain travel restrictions may apply. There may be additional agreements associated with becoming a part of the DesignSherpa community/industry. Winner will receive a form 1099 for prize. All federal, state, and local taxes (including income and withholding taxes) and all other costs and expenses associated with acceptance and use of a prize not specified herein as being awarded are winner's sole responsibility, including, without limitation, transportation to/from events and additional ground transportation, luggage fees, meals and gratuities with respect to the Prize.
Miscellaneous: (top)
Except as set forth above, no transfer, assignment, cash redemption, or substitution of prize is permitted, except by Sponsor, which reserves the right to substitute the prize (or portion thereof) with a prize of comparable or greater value. Grand Prize winner will be required to execute and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release and (where legal) Publicity Release and any other documents required by Sponsor within five (5) days of date of receipt of documents. Non-compliance with any of the foregoing or with these Official Rules may result in disqualification and awarding of prize to a runner-up, at Sponsor's sole discretion and time permitting. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor and judges, which are final and binding. By participating, entrants also: 1) attest that all required Submissions are their original, personal creation(s) and that such Submissions meet all eligibility requirements; 2) understand that their Submission(s) may be selected for potential use in future DesignSherpa advertising and/or promotional materials & further understand that the use of their Submission(s) in potential advertising and/or promotion efforts does not convey any status of any kind with respect to the Contest such as, but not limited to, selection as a winning Submission in the Contest or being the Contest winner; & 3) agree that Sponsor shall own all Submission(s) (& all material embodied therein) & that Sponsor & its designees shall have: a) the perpetual, worldwide right to edit, publish, exploit & use Submission(s) (or any portion thereof) in any way & in any and all media for advertising and/or trade purposes and/or for any other purpose in any and all media or format now or hereafter known, worldwide in perpetuity, without further compensation, permission or notification from/to entrant or any third party; b) the right & permission (unless prohibited by law) to use entrant's name, voice, city/state of residence, photograph and/or other likeness for advertising, trade and/or for any other purpose in any media or format now or hereafter known, worldwide in perpetuity, without further compensation, permission or notification & that use of any of the foregoing materials shall not violate the rights of any third parties & shall not violate any applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances; c) the right to disqualify any Submissions that they deem to be obscene or otherwise not in good taste; & d) no liability & entrant will defend, indemnify & hold harmless Released Parties from & against any liability, loss, injury or damage of any kind (including attorney's fees) to any person or entity including, without limitation, personal injury, death or damage to personal or real property, due in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by reason of the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the prize, participation in this Contest, or use of any Submission-related materials. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, suspend, and/or terminate this Contest for any reason, including should virus, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play of the Contest &, in the case of termination, at its discretion, select the winner using the judging procedure discussed above from eligible non-suspect Submissions received prior to event requiring such termination. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND OTHER REMEDIES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS' FEES) FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
Winner's Name: For the winner's name (available after 12/7/10), send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to be received by 12/7/10 to: DesignSherpa "What Inspires You" Contest Winner, P.O. Box 13106, Bridgeport, CT 06673-3106. VT residents may omit return postage.
Sponsor: DesignSherpa, c/o Maggie Bailey, Network Communications, Inc, 2305 Newpoint Parkway Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Promoter: Project Support Team, Inc., 6 Berkshire Blvd. Bethel, CT 06801/www.projectsupport.com.