SOS Announces “The Big Pitch” 2008 Tobacco-Free Drama Contest - January 30th, 2008
LITTLE ROCK (January 29, 2008) — Stamp Out Smoking (SOS), the media and public relations campaign for the Arkansas Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program (TPCP), announced today it would sponsor the fifth annual tobacco-free drama contest. Entitled “The Big Pitch,” the contest will give students across Arkansas the chance to write and star in their own television spot highlighting the dangers of secondhand smoke. Through participation in the program, students statewide will have the opportunity to creatively develop a spot with their peers, win money for their school’s drama departments, and participate in a professional production should their spot be selected to be made into a commercial.
Last year’s entry from Conway High School, a first-time participant, won first place. The school was awarded $2,500 to purchase drama equipment, and the students were able to participate in the professional production and direction of the spot, which is currently airing statewide. Last year’s winning spot is featured on the SOS Web site, stampoutsmoking.com. This year, the winning school will again receive a $2,500 in-store credit for drama equipment from the SOS campaign, with the second-place winner receiving $1,000, and the third-place winner receiving $500, also for the purchase of drama equipment. Additionally, all the entries will be posted on stampoutmoking.com for voting. A People’s Choice award will be given to the entry that receives the most votes. People’s Choice winners will receive gift cards from iTunes.
“The Big Pitch” is open to all Arkansas middle, junior and high schools. Entries must be submitted by a school sponsor, must be exactly 27 seconds, and should focus on the dangers of secondhand smoke. In order to be considered, entries must be postmarked by February 29, 2008. A third party will select first-, second- and third-place, and the winning school and its students may be featured in news releases, advertising and other publicity efforts by the Arkansas Department of Health SOS campaign. Additionally, the selected commercial will be featured on the SOS Web site and will be considered for professional production and airing in the statewide media campaign. Winning schools will be notified by 5:00 p.m. on April 4, 2008.
The “Big Pitch” drama contest is a tobacco prevention program for the SOS media and public relations campaign. For official entry forms or more information on “The Big Pitch,” contact Luis Gonzalez at luis.gonzalez@cjrw.com or 501-975-8322. For additional information on other tobacco prevention programs in your area, contact the Arkansas Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program office at 501-661-2953 or visit stampoutsmoking.com.
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