Back in February we blogged about finding competitions and prizes on micro blogging social media site Twitter. Slowly, but surely, competitions (or perhaps they’re better called competwitions) are starting to appear regularly on Twitter and this week saw the first one become a trending topic.

Something becomes a trending topic when it becomes the focus of a large number of Tweets. For example last week (end of June 2009) most of the trending topics related to the passing of Michael Jackson or the Iranian Elections. So for Moonfruit to become a trending topic there’s obviously a lot of interest being generated.

The reason for the interest in Moonfruit is that they’re running a competition to celebrate their 10th birthday. Everyday they have a Macbook Pro to be won and to enter all you have to do is send a tweet with #moonfruit in it. This is really simple to do - in fact so simple that thousands of people are doing as the competwition is open worldwide.

You can also enter daily so it’s inevitable that Moonfruit will enjoy a few days in the “Twitter Trends” spotlight. For promoters this kind of competition will most certainly open a few eyes to the power of Twitter and how their brand can be tweeted around the world for the cost of a few nice computers and a well put together competition mechanic.

However for compers seeking those low entry competwitions perhaps it’s not such good news?

Yes and no is the answer! Hopefully more promoters will offer prizes via Twitter if they can see it’s good for business, however it’s still early days and only a handful of competitions appear regularly, but as these tend to be short notice and short closing date prize draws there’s a good chance of winning.

For example Jet2 have been giving away a flight to a destination (just the one mind which isn’t that great to be honest), EMI Music do a one hour prize draw on weekdays whilst VirginSport also run regular giveaways.

The number of competitions that involve Twitter is also increasing. WhiteandRed are using it for their competwition for a case of mixed wines, whilst there’s a lifetime of red roses on offer from Red Rose Society.

Look around and we’re sure you’re find a few more!

So Are Competitions Taking Over Twitter?

We think Moonfruit as Twitter trending topic is, for now at least, a one off and that competitions or competwitions aren’t taking over the Twittersphere! However, it has been a popular competition and it may generate a few copycats. The concern will be whether other Twitter users or even Twitter themselves consider such actions to be “spam like” and clamp down on these things if they get out of hand?

The number of small prize draws on offer is slowly building as Twitter offers an outlet for brands to liase with their potential customers in a direct way. Using competitions as a hook to attract interest is a good way to be found amongst the various tweets and celebrities on Twitter.

For more competitions and hopefully competwitions make sure you follow Loquax on Twitter and we’ll try and point you in the right direction, and please to tweet us with any you competwitions you find too!

One of the most talked about competitions of 2009 is the Magnum Pleasure Card. Over the last few months they have been offering people the chance to win a share of £1million. To enter you needed a code from a Magnum ice cream stick which, when entered online or via text, could make you a winner. On paper it all sounds so simple, but in reality Magnum’s competitions highlights The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of comping.

The Good
Comping used to be a fairly isolated hobby but with the development of the internet and communities such as Loquax it’s now a more social pastime for many. Compers from around The UK can compare notes, share wins and just chat about competitions and prizes.

By being able to discuss the Magnum competition, compers have been able to spot technical issues with the promotion and help Magnum (and fellow compers) in getting problems fixed.

The Bad

These kind of code related instant win competitions never seem to run smoothly (Fanta, Nutrigrain) - or at least from a Loquax point of view appear to be nothing but a PITA as they generate heated forum discussions! Brands enter into these big promotions without really ever thinking of the potential issues and problems that may arise.

No big promotion ever runs without hitch, but this one seems to have suffered glitch after glitch leaving many compers annoyed and frustrated.

The Ugly

These kind of competitions always attract unsavoury allegations, especially when some people win more than others, and there are finger pointing forum posts around the net which question whether some entrants have not entered into the “spirit of the competition” or treated it as a “private piggy bank”.

Only Unilever can decide these issues, but finger pointing, without fact, at fellow compers is just plain ugly and puts everyone in a bad light. Perhaps if you’re concerned by a competition it’s better to complain privately to the promoters first and then report back when you have answers?

We don’t have the answers, but we have watched the competition from the sidelines.

Chips or Ice Cream?

Let’s say you enter a casino with £10 of gaming chips, spend them and lose the lot. However, the guy next to you has £100 of chips, spends them and wins £150! Do you complain that he’s not entered into the spirit of things? Or that it’s not a level playing field.

Of course not.

Now replace the chips with Magnums!

You see, in our view, this wasn’t really a “competition” but more of a gambling promotion! Some people realised they could “beat the bank” by buying more ice cream then they usually would and by investing a few pounds they managed to, when the promotion worked, play the system.

And let’s face it we all like to play the system or get consumer revenge?

Of course, Loquax does not condone outright cheating, and if any dubious issues have occurred, we’d hope Magnum take the appropriate action.

But for example, some compers want answers on a plate or links to entry pages to save them time - isn’t that playing the system and not “in the spirit of the competition”?

Money savers want coupon codes, loopholes or perhaps to take advantage of cheap deals like the 29p Amazon glitch. That’s also playing the system and taking an unfair advantage, isn’t it?

So why is it a surprise (or even wrong) when someone realises that by buying loads of ice cream they can do well from a promotion?

Running a good promotion always lies in the hands of the promoters. They need to run their competitions a lot lot better, even more so now “The Good” of comping communities are in place. However, big brands may well tighten up the rules and make sure things work properly, but we don’t think that’ll ever stop people looking for loopholes or pointing fingers at fellow compers.

The alternative is that big brands could see that the benefits of these kind of competitions don’t outweigh the problems they bring. They may well decide to stop running competitions altogether - meaning that we all end up losing in the end.

Overall, some people will have done very well from Magnum, others ok whilst loads more have been disappointed with a few or no wins at all. However, comping rarely wins when people are pointing fingers and it leaves a bitter taste for all involved.

Many “old school” compers lament the demise of the tiebreaker competition and the lack of skill required to enter many competitions. As online comping has become more popular the humble tiebreaker has been trampled by a deluge of free prize draws and easy to enter competitions.

However there are new and novel opportunities for people to exercise their grey cells and win big prizes. For example breakfast cereal brand Mornflake are offering a massive £15000 prize to the lucky winner of their TV advert. The idea behind the competition is that Mornflake want the people who know their product to make their TV advert.

The video brief for the competition requires that entrants to make a video about themselves and their personal values featuring the Mornflake brand by way of product placement. You don’t need to be an expert with a camcorder to take part in this competiton - you just need a good idea for an ad, video it and upload your entry.

For the chance of £15,000 it’s got to be worth a go?

We’re not sure where you would start, but you can get inspiration from Mornflake photos on Flickr and videos on Youtube. If you’ve not tasted Mornflake then buy a couple of packets, have a couple of bowlfuls - and with the brief in mind - write down your ideas! For extra help then have a quick read of the Mornflake Blog and make sure you follow Morning Foods on Twitter.

We would suggest against doing anything that involves pants, pants man or a song about pants (The Apprentice).

If the video competition isn’t for you then do still visit Mornflake for the chance to win £2000 and a tonne of oats. This is a free prize draw and perhaps whilst you’re over there you might be inspired to try for £15,000!

You have until 19th July to submit a video and we think the free prize draw will end at around the same time.

One thing is for sure - the tiebreaker and skill based competitions are moving into the digital and social media age! Are you prepared to move with it?

Create An Advert for Mornflake - You Could Win £15000

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We like unusual competitions here at Loquax and so when we heard about the new fantasy game from Vodafone we thought we’d give it a bit more coverage than usual. Forget your fantasy football and cricket games. Move over Fantasy Formula 1 too! There’s a new game in town that it involves taxis and taxi drivers and it’s called Vodafone Taxi Grand Prix.

Jim Rosenthal explains more in the video below…

Don’t worry if you’re not into fantasy games. This one is easy!

All you have to do is register your details and select 2 taxi drivers. Vodafone has selected 10 of them in cities across the UK and they’ll be tasked with taking part in the Grand Prix. Inside their Vodafone branded cabs are HTC Magic Mobiles which are monitoring the distance they travel.

The aim is for your drivers to complete the distance of the up and coming Grand Prix in the quickest time. The team that completes the Grand Prix distance first wins the race. It’s not all plain sailing though as the drivers can receive power ups and penalties from the race marshal.

Login to the site to follow the drivers Twitter chat plus watch out for the chance to win spot prizes. Plus, of course, there are prizes for the fantasy winners too. The season champion will win an all expenses paid trip to join the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team at the Santander Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

To give yourself the best chance of winning the top prize register today (9th June) as the game kicks off on the 10th June. You can join in the game at any time though and there are 100s of prizes on offer!

The competition runs right through to the end of August and covers The British, German, Hungarian, European and Belgian Grand Prix.

Look out for team Loquax who have initially selected Eddy and Sajid as their team!

Vodafone Launch Taxi Grand Prix Fantasy Game - 100s of Prizes To Be Won!

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Remember the Virgin Atlantic TV advert that celebrated their 25th birthday? You know the one that featured the big mobile phone, rubik’s cube, lovely ladies in their bright red outfits and Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. You can remind yourself of it over on YouTube. Whilst you’re watching make some notes as they could help you win a trip to New York.

Virgin Atlantic want you to remake their iconic advert, but you’re going to have to get busy as you only have until the 16th June to send in your clips. Video entries can run from 10 seconds to 60 seconds to form the whole or part of the advert. The YouTube community will vote for their favourite based on originality, creativity and humour.

Paul Dickinson, Sales and Marketing Director of Virgin Atlantic explains more about the competition in this video….

The best re-creation of the advert will win two Virgin Atlantic return tickets to New York and VIP tickets to Virgin Atlantic’s exclusive 25th birthday party in Manhattan (terms and conditions apply).

Find out more information about the competition by visiting Virgin Atlantic or on their YouTube Channel and simply upload your entry for a chance to win this once in a lifetime prize.

Virgin Atlantic Red Hot Remake Competition - Win a Trip to New York

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