December 11, 2008 – Richmond, Virginia -- Gearmax USA Ltd., a Richmond, Virginia based manufacturer of innovative and patent-pending backpacks, announced today that rather than go through the traditional route for their 2009 advertising campaign, they have instead decided to open it up to the world full of amateur producers and students. They have also put their money where their mouth is, offering over $6,000 in cash and prizes to go to the winning entries.
“With the talent that’s out there, we thought we’d have some fun with this,” said GearMax President Stu Neal. “I have been very impressed with the amateur content showing up on the net, so we know there are some very talented individuals out there. We want to see what they can come up with using our ideas.”
After reviewing costs for commercial production of several videos, Gearmax has instead reserved some of that amount in the form of prizes, open to any contestants who want to submit a video. Prizes begin at $2,500 for the top video, with the runner up to receive $1,500 and third place to receive $1,000. All top placements will also receive five specially customized GearMax backpacks that will only be available to winning contestants. An additional ten customized GearMax backpacks will be given to the top five honorable mentions.
The contest has three categories to choose from: GearMax has scripted two, and the third will be left solely to the imagination of the participants. Each video will be required to be in either a 30 second or 60 second format, and acceptable submissions will be posted on the company’s website for all to view during the term of the contest.
“We see this as a great opportunity for film students to use their talent to earn a bit of extra cash,” said Neal, “and we’re sure that we’ll get quite a bit of input from the private sector as well. While GearMax will own the rights to the winning videos, we’ll be leaving the credits up on the video identifying those that made it.”
There is no cost to enter, however participants must be over 18 and have access to a current GearMax backpack that will be used in the video. The contest ends May 30, 2009.
About GearMax
Gearmax USA Ltd. is the designer and manufacturer of Gearmax ® patent-pending expandable backpacks. The company is headquartered in Hanover County, Virginia. Originally designed as a hockey bag by Buck Albritton in 2001, the company has expanded the designs to encompass four basic versions to fit most needs of sports, athletic, or outdoor applications. In 2003 Gearmax was chosen as “Best New Product of the Year” in a Proctor and Gamble sponsored national search hosted by the United Inventors Association. Over the past several years Gearmax products have developed a small but fiercely loyal customer base, and the company is now expanding nationally. For more information, click here or contact customer service at 888-317-1532.
