You could "Sing in the Spotlight" with Jennifer Hudson. All you need to do is tell us why you deserve the chance to perform with the star. Read the contest rules below, share your story and a video performance.
Sing in the Spotlight with Jennifer Hudson Contest
Official RulesApril 29, 2009 – May 11, 2009
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. The Sing in the Spotlight with Jennifer Hudson contest (the “Contest”) begins on April 29, 2009 at 7:00am ET and ends on May 11, 2009 at 11:59pm ET (“Contest Entry Period”). Entry into this Contest constitutes your acceptance of these Official Rules. The Contest will be run in conjunction with The Today Show (the “TODAY”)”. All times in this Contest refer to Eastern Standard Time (“ET”). NBC Universal, Inc. (“NBCU”), 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112 shall be the sponsor of this Contest.
ELIGIBILITY: You must be a legal, permanent U.S. resident who is eighteen (18) years of age or older as of the start of the Contest Entry Period. Employees of TODAY, NBCU their respective advertising and promotion agencies, their parent, subsidiary and joint venture companies, and members of their immediate families (spouses, and parents, children, siblings and their spouses, regardless of where they live) and members of the households of any of the above (whether or not related) are not eligible to enter or win the Contest. Any member of a professional performance union, including but not limited to AFTRA and AFM, is not eligible to enter or win the Contest. TODAY reserves the right to exclude anyone convicted of a crime (other than moving violations of a misdemeanor type that did not involve personal injury, drugs or alcohol). Contestants must have nothing in their background that would be an embarrassment to TODAY, and contestants may not be elected officials or currently running for any political office (local, state or federal). Each contestant must be willing to sign a publicity release and an affidavit attesting that each contestant meets all of the foregoing eligibility requirements. TODAY reserves the right to disqualify contestants for not meeting any of the requirements outlined above or for any other reasons, in Today’s sole discretion. Contestants must agree that, if selected as a Finalist (as defined below), they will be available to travel to New York City and be present at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on May 15, 2009 or on such other date as designated by Sponsor in its sole discretion.
Please note that by entering you agree that if you are chosen as a potential Finalist you may undergo a pre-interview and/or background check conducted by TODAY and, if necessary, you will sign waiver forms authorizing the release of your personal and background information.
HOW TO ENTER:
Entry Instructions: To enter, go to www.todayshow.com (the “Website”) and follow the provided instructions to complete the online entry form (“Entry Form”) including your name, address (including hometown), telephone numbers (daytime and evening), email address, confirm your date of birth, and explain in five hundred (500) words or less why you should Sing in the Spotlight with Jennifer Hudson (“Essay”). Along with the Entry Form and Essay you will be required to submit (as described below) a video of your vocal performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” (“Video”). You must be the only person featured in the Video. The Video should be no more than one (1) minute in length. The Video, Essay and the Entry Form shall be collectively referred to herein as the “Entry”. All Entries may be submitted for the Contest by completing the Entry Form on the Website and uploading your Video according to the provided instructions. All Entries must be submitted online on or before May 11, 2009 at 11:59pm ET.
Limit one (1) Entry per person/email address for the duration of the Contest Entry Period. The same Essay and/or Video (collectively referred to as the “Submissions”) may not be used for more than one (1) Entry. Multiple Entries received from any person or for any Submission will void all such additional Entries, contestant may be disqualified and only the first eligible Entry received from such person/household/email address or featuring such Submission will be eligible for entry. EachSubmission must be original, truthful, unpublished, created solely by the submitting contestant, must not have been submitted in any other competition, and must not infringe upon any rights of any third party, including but not limited to copyright, trademark and right of privacy and publicity. In case of a dispute over the identity of a contestant who submitted a potentially winning Entry, TODAY reserves the right to deem that the Entry was submitted by the registered subscriber of the email address submitted at the time of Entry.
By entering, you agree that you created the Submissions and you have any required permissions to submit your Entry subject to the terms of these Official Rules. There must not be any inappropriate or offensive materials in the Submissions. Entries that are incomplete or illegible are void and will not be accepted. By entering, you agree that the Submissions and any other portion of your Entry may be broadcast on TODAY and in promotions and advertisements for TODAY in any and all media now or hereafter known throughout the world in perpetuity without additional notification, permission, approval, or compensation. All entries become the property of TODAY and NBCU and will not be acknowledged or returned.
Past experience has confirmed that contests and other competitions generate substantially similar submissions or entries that closely resemble concepts and ideas that have been independently developed by Released Parties (as defined below) before or after the Contest. Accordingly, contestants may subsequently see a Released Party presentation that seemingly incorporates an idea or concept or includes materials similar to that contained in their Entry. Any similarity is purely coincidental and unavoidable in light of the volume of ideas that Released Parties routinely consider in the course of their internal development.
By entering the Contest, contestant grants TODAY the non-exclusive, royalty-free, and irrevocable right to use, reproduce, copy, publish, display, distribute, perform, translate, adapt, modify, edit (including for length) and otherwise exploit the contestant’s Submissions (or any portions thereof) and to incorporate the Submissions (or any portions thereof) in other works in any and all markets and media now or hereafter known worldwide in perpetuity without additional compensation, notification, permission or approval. Contestants warrant that they have the sole and exclusive right to grant such rights to TODAY and that TODAY reproduction, publishing, displaying, and/or other use of their Entry, or any portions thereof, will not infringe on any rights of third parties, including, without limitation, copyright, trademark, privacy, or publicity, or create claims for false light, idea misappropriation, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, defamation, or breach of contract. Any Submission containing material that is violent, pornographic, obscene, illegal, inappropriate, or racially or morally offensive or that does not comply with these Official Rules or meet Today’s standards for any reason, as determined by TODAY in its sole discretion, will be rejected as ineligible for consideration. Entries must comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Contestant also warrants that he/she has obtained written permission when photographing/filming on private property not owned or controlled by contestant, where such permission is required. Upon request, you must provide TODAY with signed releases from the owners of any private property where you photographed/filmed. TODAY shall have no obligation to copy, publish, display, or otherwise exploit the Submissions (or any portions thereof).
SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION OF THE FINALISTS AND GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Employees of TODAY (“Judges”) will review the Submissions from the eligible Entries received during the Contest Entry Period and select up to five (5) potential Finalists (each a “Finalist”), based on the following judging criteria: originality (33%), creativity (33%), and musical talent (34%) (“Judging Criteria”), subject to verification of eligibility. In the event of a tie, the Judges will break the tie by selecting the tied contestant who received the highest points for musical talent from the Judges as the Finalist. TODAY will make two (2) attempts to notify potential Finalists at the phone number and/or email address submitted at the time of entry. All Finalists will be required, as a condition of continued eligibility, to complete and sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Waiver of Liability, and, except where prohibited, Publicity Release (collectively, “Contest Documents”) within three (3) days of such notification. Noncompliance within this time period will result in disqualification. If for any reason any of the Finalists cannot be reached or do not meet any of the above requirements, or do not satisfactorily execute and return all of the Contest Documents within the required time period, each as determined by TODAY in its sole discretion, such Finalist may be disqualified and the Judges may select the runner-up with the next highest percentage of points as determined by the Judges as an alternate potential Finalist. Each potential Finalist must agree to keep in strictest confidence and not to disclose to any person, including other contestants, or any other third party, any information whatsoever concerning the fact that they are potential Finalists. TODAY reserves the right to pick fewer than five (5) Finalists, or to extend the Contest Entry Period if in its sole discretion, it does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified Entries. Each potential Finalist must agree to make themselves available to be in New York from May 14 to May 15, 2009, or on such other dates designated by TODAY in its sole discretion and agree to appear on TODAY and to otherwise be available to be videotaped and/or interviewed to the extent specified by TODAY in its sole discretion. Finalists will be provided travel to and from New York City, and room and board at TODAY’s expense. Travel arrangements will be made by TODAY at its sole discretion and all details of Finalists’ room and board will be determined by TODAY in its sole discretion. During the Finalists’ appearance on TODAY in New York City, the Finalist with the highest score based on the Judging Criteria as determined by the panel of Judges will be declared the potential grand prize winner (“Grand Prize Winner”) subject to verification of eligibility. In the event of a tie, the tied Finalists will be judged by an additional tie-breaking judge, using the Judging Criteria, to determine which of the tied Finalists will be the Grand Prize Winner. If a potential Grand Prize Winner is found to ineligible, if he/she cannot or does not comply with the foregoing requirements and these Official Rules such potential Grand Prize Winner will be disqualified and TODAY will award the prize to the next available runner-up Finalist with the next highest score as determined by the panel of Judges.
GRAND PRIZE: There will be one (1) grand prize (“Grand Prize”) awarded consisting of the opportunity to sing “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” with Jennifer Hudson on the Today Concert stage. TODAY will determine all Grand Prize details in its sole discretion. Opportunity to sing with Jennifer Hudson has no retail value. TODAY reserves the right to substitute a prize (or prize element) of comparable or greater value for any reason at TODAY’s sole discretion. All taxes and other unspecified expenses, costs, or fees associated with the acceptance and/or use of the Grand Prize are the sole responsibility of Grand Prize Winner. Grand Prize cannot be transferred by Grand Prize Winner or redeemed for cash and is valid only for the item detailed above, with no substitution by Grand Prize Winner. If the Grand Prize is unclaimed within a reasonable time after notification by TODAY, it will be forfeited and time permitting, an alternate potential Grand Prize Winner may be chosen by TODAY in its sole discretion.
RECORDING: If TODAY, in its sole discretion, elects to tape the announcement of the Grand Prize Winner and or the Grand Prize Winner’s performance with Jennifer Hudson and incorporate the audio and video recording of the announcement and/or the performance (each a “Recording”) into TODAY or other television shows, the taping and/or the Recordings will not be considered an employment opportunity, and the Grand Prize Winner will not be entitled to compensation or credit therefor. The nature of the Recordings, if any, will be determined by TODAY in its sole discretion. If the Recording is broadcast, such broadcast will be at a time, for a length of time, and on a date determined by TODAY in its sole discretion. Finalists will be required to return completed and signed appearance releases, confidentiality agreements and such other documents as may be required by TODAY prior to participation in a taping of TODAY, if any. Failure of a Finalist to complete and execute these documents in a timely manner, as determined by TODAY in its sole discretion, may cause the Finalist’s designation as a Finalist to be forfeited. The content of the Recordings as, and if, finally exhibited and the number of exhibits and re-airs thereof, if any, will be determined by TODAY in its sole discretion. Grand Prize Winner will have no right of review, notice, or approval of the content of the Recording or any exhibition or exploitation thereof. TODAY has the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify a Finalist, and remove Finalist from the taping of TODAY, if any, at any time, if such Finalists’ behavior is deemed by TODAY to be disruptive or if it may or does cause damage to person, property, or reputation of TODAY or if it otherwise violates the policies of TODAY, or if Grand Prize Winner does not follow the directions of TODAY at all times. These Official Rules and the Contest itself are neither a contract nor an application for employment.
CONDITIONS: By entering the Contest, each contestant agrees for contestant and for contestant’s heirs, executors and administrators (a) to release and hold harmless TODAY, NBCU , and their respective parent, subsidiary, and affiliate companies and administrative, advertising, and promotion agencies and any other entity involved in the development, administration, promotion, or implementation of the Contest, and their respective officers, directors, and employees (collectively, “Released Parties”) from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from such contestant’s participation in the Contest (including any travel related thereto) and/or his/her acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of a prize, or any portion, thereof; (b) to indemnify Released Parties from any and all liability resulting or arising from the Contest and to hereby acknowledge that Released Parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to any prize, including express warranties provided exclusively by the prize supplier that are sent along with a prize; (c) if selected as a Finalist or Grand Prize Winner, to the posting of such contestant’s name on the Website and the use by Released Parties of such name, voice, image, and/or likeness in any and all media now or hereafter known without additional compensation, notification, permission or approval and, upon request, to the giving of consent, in writing, to such use; and (d) to be bound by these Official Rules and to waive any right to claim any ambiguity or error therein or in the Contest itself, and to be bound by all actions of TODAY and Judges, whose decisions are final and binding. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in disqualification from the Contest.
ADDITIONAL TERMS: TODAY reserves the right to terminate the Contest or permanently disqualify from any promotion any person they believe has intentionally violated these Official Rules. Any attempt to deliberately damage the Contest or the operation thereof is unlawful and subject to legal action by TODAY, who may seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law. TODAY reserves the right to cancel, suspend or modify the Contest or any element thereof (including, without limitation, these Official Rules) without notice in any manner and for any reason (including, without limitation, in the event of any unanticipated occurrence that is not fully addressed in these Official Rules). In the event of cancellation, modification or suspension, TODAY reserves the right to select a Finalist and/or Grand Prize Winner, as applicable, based on the Judging Criteria above and award the Grand Prize in its sole discretion from among all eligible, non-suspect Entries received prior to the time of the event warranting such cancellation, modification or suspension. Notice of such cancellation, modification or suspension will be posted on the Website. TODAY may prohibit any contestant or potential contestant from participating in the Contest, if such contestant or potential contestant shows a disregard for these Official Rules; acts with an intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other contestant, USP, or agents or representatives of TODAY; or behaves in any other disruptive manner (as determined by TODAY in its sole discretion). The manner and duration of posting on the Website or on any other website or in any other venue of Entries, including Essays, Videos, photos, and any other relevant information as determined by TODAY in its sole discretion are at the sole discretion of TODAY. You grant to TODAY the right to alter and/or edit your Entry or any portion thereof.
The failure of TODAY to comply with any provision of these Official Rules due to an act of God, hurricane, war, fire, riot, earthquake, terrorism, act of public enemies, actions of governmental authorities (excepting compliance with applicable codes and regulations), or other “force majeure” event will not be considered a breach of these Official Rules.
Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to contestants’ or to any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from entering or downloading materials or software in connection with the Contest. Released Parties are not responsible for telecommunications, network, electronic, technical, or computer failures of any kind; for inaccurate transcription of Entry information; for errors in any publicity, promotional, advertising or marketing materials or in these Official Rules; for any human or electronic error; or for Entries that are stolen, misdirected, garbled, delayed, lost, late, damaged, returned, corrupted or postage due.
DISPUTES: THE CONTEST IS GOVERNED BY AND WILL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND THE FORUM AND VENUE FOR ANY DISPUTE SHALL BE IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK. IF THE CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM IS NOT OTHERWISE RESOLVED THROUGH DIRECT DISCUSSIONS OR MEDIATION, IT SHALL THEN BE RESOLVED BY FINAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION ADMINISTERED BY JUDICIAL ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION SERVICES, INC.IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS STREAMLINED ARBITRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES OR SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS THEREOF (“JAMS RULES”). THE JAMS RULES FOR SELECTION OF AN ARBITRATOR SHALL BE FOLLOWED, EXCEPT THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL BE EXPERIENCED AND LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN NEW YORK. ALL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK. THE REMEDY FOR ANY CLAIM SHALL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL DAMAGES, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING ATTORNEY’S FEES OR SUCH RELATED COSTS OF BRINGING A CLAIM, OR TO RESCIND THIS AGREEMENT OR SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR ANY OTHER EQUITABLE RELIEF.
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT:For the name of the Grand Prize Winner, available after May 15, 2009 visit www.todayshow.com.