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Want to be an anchor on TODAY?

Find out how you can enter to become an anchor on the show. Here are the official contest rules and instructions on how you can apply.
/ Source: TODAY

Have you even dreamed of sitting behind the TODAY desk on live TV? Well, here’s your chance. TODAY is looking for someone to be a guest anchor on the show and you could be that person. To enter the Anchor for TODAY contest, all you have to tell us why you’d like to be an anchor and send us a video clip demonstrating your broadcast skills. Here are the officials rules and instructions on how you can apply:

ANCHOR FOR TODAY
Official Rules

These are the official rules for ANCHOR FOR TODAY (the “Promotion”). “TODAY” is hosting a competition in which the winner, who will be chosen by TODAY and TODAY viewers, will have the opportunity to host an hour of the broadcast, live, of NBC’s TODAY show. 

1. PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
Anyone considering submitting an application to participate in this event should read all of the information below for eligibility rules, requirements of participation and an explanation of what the finalists and winner will receive. 

Please note that all entrants must be willing to, among other things:

  • Make a two-minute video explaining why they should be the host of TODAY for an hour,
  • make themselves available to be interviewed and videotaped by TODAY,
  • provide all of the information requested in the entry form,
  • allow TODAY to conduct a background check on them,
  • and travel to New York during the week of February 19, 2007 and the week of February 26th, 2007 to appear on TODAY to compete against other finalists if selected as finalists.

The winner must agree, among other things:

  • to make themselves available for multiple appearances on TODAY and for related publicity and promotions in February 2007,
  • to appear live on the TODAY show, on a date chosen by TODAY, currently scheduled for March 2, 2007.

The requirements detailed in these Official Rules cannot be waived or changed except by TODAY, and entrants who cannot perform these requirements or make the necessary time commitment should not submit an entry form.

PLEASE NOTE: This opportunity is open only to legal residents of the United States who are at least 21 years of age as of January 29, 2007, who are not persons with professional television journalism, hosting, announcing or acting experience and who comply with the additional requirements set forth in these Rules.

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited or restricted by applicable federal or state laws and regulations.

2. TO ENTER
We want to see you, so make a video in either VHS, DVD, mini DV format or as a digital video file using your digital camera consisting of a one (1) minute introduction of yourself and your explanation of why you should be the host for an hour of TODAY, and one (1) minute demonstrating your best broadcast techniques and style (“Video”). The Video should last no longer than two (2) minutes. By entering, you and everyone appearing in Video agree that the Video may be broadcast on TODAY and in promotions and advertisements for TODAY. Videos must be original, truthful, unpublished, created solely by the submitting entrants, must not have been submitted in any other competition, must not include any music, singing or photos, film or other images that are not originally taken or created by you and must not infringe upon any rights of any third party, including but not limited to copyright, trademark, and rights of privacy and publicity. You must not accept anything of value in return for the inclusion of any material in your Video, and you must disclose to TODAY any connection with any person, product or company mentioned or depicted in your Video. You must have the permission of all persons appearing in your Video for you to submit your Video and permit TODAY to use the Video and such appearances as set forth in these rules. By entering you grant TODAY and NBC a non-exclusive, perpetual license to use your Video, including the appearances contained in the Video, for use in all media now known or hereafter devised. All Videos become the property of TODAY and your Video and entry will not be acknowledged or returned. Entries that are incomplete, illegible, postage due or corrupted are void and will not be accepted. By submitting Application Materials to ANCHOR FOR TODAY applicants are not submitting an application for employment. 

Each individual may only enter one completed application form with Video. 

YOU MAY SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY ONE OF TWO WAYS:

To enter online, follow the online directions at to upload your Video and submit your name, address, e-mail address, telephone numbers and age, and a brief essay (no more than 150 words) describing why you would like to be a TODAY Anchor(“Application Materials”).  By submitting your Application Materials, you acknowledge reading, accepting, and agreeing to the terms of these Official Rules.

To enter by mail, please print and complete the application form available at www.TODAY.MSNBC.com. The application form consists of a series of questions, including name, address, e-mail address, telephone numbers and age, and a brief essay (no more than 150 words) describing why you would like to be a TODAY Anchor. MAILING INSTRUCTIONS: Print your name, address, telephone numbers (daytime and evening) and e-mail address on a label, and affix the label to your Video. Send BOTH the Video and your application form (“Application Materials”) to the following address:

TODAY, NBC, c/o ANCHOR FOR TODAY
30 Rockefeller Center
New York, New York 10112

All entries must be received by 5:00 PM EST on February 16, 2007.

By completing the application, entrants agree to receive e-mails and/or other materials from NBC regarding this Promotion.

For more privacy information, please see the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for MSNBC.com:

3. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To enter and to be eligible to receive the Prize, entrants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • each individual submitting a completed application form must be at least 21 years of age as of  January 29, 2007;
  • each individual must be a legal resident of the United States and must have a valid United States passport;
  • each individual must not be subject to any travel restrictions and must agree to obtain the requisite immunizations, if necessary;
  • each individual must not have had professional experience as a television journalist, host, announcer or actor;
  • each individual must be of good moral character, must have never been convicted of a crime of any nature (other than moving violations of a misdemeanor type that did not involve personal injury, drugs or alcohol), and must have nothing in their background that would be an embarrassment to NBC News or TODAY;
  • each individual must not be an elected official nor currently running or contemplating a run for any political office (local, state or federal);
  • each applicant, to the extent permitted by law, must be willing to undergo a background check conducted by TODAY and be willing to sign waiver forms authorizing the background check itself and the release of personal and background information;
  • each applicant must be willing to sign an affidavit attesting to the truth of the facts in the application form and Video and attesting that each applicant meets all the eligibility requirements.  

TODAY reserves the right to exclude entrants for these or any other reason, in TODAY’s sole editorial discretion.

Selected entrants must also be willing to undertake the following:

  • to be interviewed by telephone, and to either appear in a videotape produced by TODAY or to submit a videotape in which the entrant appears;
  • to make themselves available to travel to New York City and to appear live on multiple broadcasts of NBC’s TODAY show during the week of February 19, 2007 and February 26th, 2007 including, without limitation, a one-hour live broadcast currently scheduled for March 2nd, 2007;
  • to make themselves available for videotaped appearances to air on TODAY, and to ask friends and family to appear as well;
  • to make themselves available to attend fittings and to engage in public appearances and in photo shoots, as needed by TODAY.

Entrants must agree, if they are among the preliminary group of semifinalists identified (see Selection Process, below), to make themselves exclusively available to TODAY for publicity and promotion, and must agree that they will not submit their Video to, or allow interviews by, other media outlets, including television, magazines, newspapers, radio, and internet, unless authorized by TODAY, from the time the semifinalists are announced, through the final on-air appearance of the winner.

Employees of NBC Universal, Inc. (“NBC”), MSNBC Cable LLC (“MSNBC”), NBC’s affiliated TV stations or Web site, iVillage Inc., General Electric and their respective advertising and promotion agencies, their parent, subsidiary and joint venture companies, as well as members of their immediate families and households (including children and siblings) are not eligible.

If at any point during the Contest TODAY deems an entrant, semifinalist or finalist ineligible, TODAY may disqualify that individual and, in the case of a semifinalist or finalist, at its sole discretion, select an alternate.

4. SELECTION PROCESS
TODAY in its sole discretion will select a preliminary group of individuals from eligible entries (completed application form plus Video) submitted. TODAY will begin reviewing entries on a rolling basis as they are received, and will end the selection process when a preliminary group of qualified individuals has been chosen.

Selection criteria used by the judges shall include:

  • The individual’s video and application materials;
  • The personality of each entrant;
  • The nature of the individual’s history and background, demonstrated strength of their desire to host an hour of TODAY,
  • and any other factors that make the individual’s story unique or compelling; and The appearance of the individual.

The Semifinalist Round:  From the preliminary group of entrants, TODAY will then select up to sixteen (16) semifinalists, based on these factors, plus telephone interviews with the individuals. The decisions of the judges are final and entrants agree to be bound by these decisions. These semifinalists will be required as a condition of continued eligibility to complete and sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Waiver of Liability and Publicity Release.

The semifinalists thus selected may be interviewed by TODAY and may be asked to participate in the filming of a videotaped interview by representatives of TODAY.

The semifinalists will also be subject to background checks to verify and determine additional information about each of the individuals.

From February 19 through February 22, 2007, the Videos of up to four (4) semifinalists will be aired on each day’s broadcast of TODAY. TODAY viewers will be asked to visit the TODAY Web Site at , or to send a text message via SMS, to vote each day for the semifinalists whose Videos aired that day shall move on the round of four (4) finalists.  Limit of one vote per person per day per method of entry. A premium charge of $0.99, plus standard messaging rates, apply to each vote submitted by SMS. 

The individual who receives the most votes by the date and time specified on the Web site each day will move on to the round of four (4) finalists. The four (4) finalists will be announced on TODAY on February 23, 2007 (which date is subject to change as necessary by TODAY).  The semifinalists and/or finalists may, in the sole discretion of TODAY, appear on the TODAY show on that date.

If there is a tie (if two individuals receive an equal number of votes by viewers) in any week, the individual to be declared a finalist will be selected in the sole discretion of TODAY. 

If a finalist is disqualified or otherwise unable to fulfill the requirements asked of them, another finalist from among the sixteen semifinalists will be selected in the sole discretion of TODAY.

The Finalists Round: The four individuals who are chosen as finalists to appear on TODAY must make themselves available to appear in New York City by TODAY at times and dates selected by TODAY, in TODAY’s sole discretion. During the week of February 26, 2007, the four (4) finalists will travel to New York City (or another location selected by TODAY in its sole discretion) and will make appearances on each day’s broadcast of TODAY, during which they will be asked to participate in competitions that feature, among other things, their talent, intellect and skills (the contents of which shall be determined by TODAY in its sole discretion).  Finalists agree that all footage recorded by TODAY may or may not be used by TODAY, in any manner and any medium, in any edited form or in its entirety, in the sole discretion of TODAY. After each competition, TODAY viewers will be asked visit the TODAY Web Site at , or to send a text message via SMS, to vote each day on which of the finalists should be declared the winner. Limit of one vote per person per day per method of entry. A premium charge of $0.99, plus standard messaging rates, apply to each vote submitted by SMS.  

The individual who receives the least votes by the date and time specified on the Web site each day will be eliminated before the next day’s competition. The winner of the Promotion will be announced on TODAY on March 1, 2007. If there is a tie (if two individuals receive an equal number of votes by viewers) on any day, the individual to be declared a finalist will be selected in the sole discretion of TODAY. 

If the winner is disqualified or otherwise unable to fulfill the requirements asked of them, another winner from among the four finalists will be selected in the sole discretion of TODAY.

6. PRIZE
The winner will appear as an unpaid co-host of the third hour of TODAY on March 2, 2007 (which date is subject to change as necessary by TODAY). TODAY in its sole discretion shall determine and/or approve the length, venue, content and nature of that appearance, with emphasis on the demands of a live television program.

7.  ADDITIONAL RULES
For each finalist, all reasonable expenses, including hotel (if the finalist lives outside the New York metropolitan area), transportation and meals in connection with the finalist’s appearances on TODAY, and any publicity and promotion activities required by TODAY, will be paid for by TODAY. 

Travel and hotel for the finalists shall be determined by TODAY, which, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to provide ground or other transportation in lieu of air transportation. Regarding all travel provided by TODAY, certain restrictions may apply and all travel and accommodations are in the sole discretion of TODAY. 

The competitions and hosting appearance shall take place and travel must be taken on dates and times designated by NBC or another individual may be selected by Today as a finalist or winner. The travel, accommodations and appearances cannot be transferred, rescheduled or redeemed for cash.

All finalists must be able to travel and appear on TODAY during the week ending February 23, 2007 and March 2, 2007 and must complete a liability and publicity release and appearance release, which will be supplied by TODAY, prior to commencing travel. Finalists must not wear apparel that contains recognizable commercial logos during their appearances on TODAY.  Finalists’ on-air wardrobes are subject to TODAY’s approval in its sole discretion.

TODAY reserves the right to make public personal information about the semifinalists and finalists on-air, prior to, during or following the competition. Entrants acknowledge that TODAY may disclose negative information regarding them that may be more or less favorable than similar information disclosed by TODAY regarding other entrants.

TODAY further reserves the right to postpone or cancel ANCHOR FOR TODAY and any component thereof, including without limitation, the selection process and the competitions or cancel the broadcast of the hosted hour for any reason, in the sole discretion of TODAY. In all events, TODAY reserves the right to substitute the prize or any elements thereof with other items of equal or greater value at its sole discretion. The appearances on TODAY have no cash value. The finalists shall be responsible for applicable taxes, upgrades, personal incidentals, and any other expenses not specified herein. 

To the extent any entrant appears, either live or via videotape, on TODAY or MSNBC.com, he/she shall appear as him/herself; his/her appearance shall not be a performance, shall not constitute an employment relationship, joint venture, or partnership between him/her and NBC Universal, Inc. (“NBC”), MSNBC Cable LLC (“MSNBC”), NBC’s affiliated TV stations or Web site, iVillage Inc., General Electric and their respective advertising and promotion agencies, their parent, subsidiary and joint venture companies, shall not be subject to any union or guild collective bargaining agreement, and shall not entitle him/her to any wages, salary, corporate benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, or other compensation of any kind, under any such collective bargaining agreement (if any) or otherwise. 

8.  DISQUALIFICATION
MULTIPLE ENTRIES RECEIVED FROM ANY PERSONS WILL VOID ALL SUCH ADDITIONAL ENTRIES. Entries that are incomplete, illegible, postage due or corrupted are void and will not be accepted.  If any entrant becomes ineligible during the Contest, they may be disqualified.  

TODAY and NBC Universal are not responsible for telecommunications, network, electronic, technical or computer failures of any kind, for inaccurate transcription of entry information, for errors in any promotional or marketing materials, for errors in these rules, for any human or electronic error, including but not limited to the administration of this Promotion or Prizes, or for entries that are stolen, misdirected, garbled, delayed by computer transmissions, lost, late, damaged, or postage due.

All entries, including application forms, videos and photos, become the property of NBC and will not be acknowledged or returned. 

Caution: Any attempt by an entrant or any other individual to deliberately damage any online service or web site or undermine the legitimate operation of TODAY is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, NBC reserves the right to seek damages and/or other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.

9.  DISCLAIMER
All entrants and participants assume all liability for any injury or damages caused or claimed to be caused by their participation in this Promotion. Entrants and not TODAY or NBC shall be responsible for any content in their Videos that is deemed libelous, defamatory, slanderous or invasive of another’s privacy.  All entrants and participants release NBC Universal, Inc., MSNBC Cable LLC, and their respective advertising and promotion agencies, their parent, subsidiary, affiliate and joint venture companies, as well as their respective officers, directors, and employees, from any such liability. 

NBC, MSNBC and their respective advertising and promotion agencies, their parent, subsidiary, affiliate and joint venture companies, as well as their respective officers, directors, and employees assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrant’s or to any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from entering or downloading materials or software.  NBC, MSNBC and their respective advertising and promotion agencies, their parent, subsidiary, affiliate and joint venture companies, as well as their respective officers, directors, and employees are not responsible for technical, hardware, software, or telephone malfunctions of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed incorrect, incomplete, inaccurate, garbled or delayed electronic communications caused by the user or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in this event or by any human error which may occur in the processing of the entries in this event. 

Completion of an entry form constitutes permission (except where prohibited by law) to use entrants’ name, city, state, likeness and/or voice for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity without additional compensation and constitutes agreement by entrants to be bound by these Official Rules.

10. ADDITIONAL RULES
ANCHOR FOR TODAY is sponsored by NBC Universal, Inc. (“NBC”). NBC reserves the right to terminate the entry period prior to its scheduled end date and to choose among entries received prior to the date of such termination.

Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of the voting viewers and judges, whose decisions are final. Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification from ANCHOR FOR TODAY. NBC reserves the right to permanently disqualify any person it believes has intentionally violated these rules, including but not limited to making any effort to directly or indirectly undermine the integrity of the voting.

Except where prohibited, all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant and NBC in connection with the Promotion, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the state of New York, or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the state of New York.  If any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the Official Rules, or the Promotion cannot be otherwise resolved, it shall be resolved in the courts of New York County, New York. 

11. ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNER
For the name of the winner, visit after March 2, 2007 or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to ANCHOR FOR TODAY, Winner Info, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112.