SOS Announces “The Big Pitch” 2009 Tobacco-Free Drama Contest - March 18th, 2009
Stamp Out Smoking, the media and public relations campaign for the Arkansas Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program, announced today it will host the sixth annual tobacco-free drama contest. Titled “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 tobacco.
Through participation in the program, students statewide will have the opportunity to creatively develop a spot with their peers, win money for their school, and participate in a professional production should their spot be selected to be made into a commercial.
Last year’s winners, Nathan Trucks and John Couch of Fayetteville High School, were awarded funds to purchase media equipment and supplies for their school. The winning spot was selected to be a part of the 2008-2009 SOS media campaign, and is currently airing statewide. Last year’s winning spot is featured on the SOS Web site, stampoutsmoking.com.
This year, in addition to winning a prize for their school, the students will also receive prizes. The winning school will receive a $2,000 in-store credit for media equipment or supplies, as well as a $25 iTunes gift card for each student on the winning team. The second-place winner will receive a $1,000 in-store credit for the school in media equipment or supplies, and a $20 iTunes gift card for each team member. The third-place winner will receive a $500 in-store credit for media equipment or supplies and a $15 iTunes gift card for each team member. Additionally, all qualifying entries will be posted on stampoutsmoking.com for the “People’s Choice” Award voting. This award returns for a second year, after more than 1,000 votes were cast to select last year’s winner. The “People’s Choice” winner will receive a $25 iTunes gift card for each student on the team.
“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 in length, and should focus on the dangers of tobacco. In order to be considered, entries must be postmarked by March 30.
“People’s Choice” entries will be posted to stampoutsmoking.com by 5 p.m. on April 8. Votes for the “People’s Choice” Award will be accepted until noon on April 20. A panel of out-of-state experts 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 ADH 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 3 p.m. on April 20.
“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. For a program to help you quit, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
