Online Contest Case Study

omniCONTESTS is a powerful and easy-to-use, fully featured online contest solution for submitting entries, contest administration, processing payment and judging and awarding winners. omniCONTESTS provides seamless, real-time management for small and large online awards programs.

Online Contest Case Study of POPAI

Efficient online contest administration was the priority. Online juried competitions are renowned for their ability to generate income and publicity, but without efficient software, they can be a huge headache for the associations that sponsor them.

For years, Point of Purchase Advertising International (POPAI) has relied on innovative technologies in conducting its annual competition, the Outstanding Merchandizing Achievements (OMA) Awards. In the past, POPAI used OMNI Solutions Group’s services to provide contest entrants with CD ROM-based software containing entry forms and completion guidelines. Paperwork was reduced but POPAI still had to produce expensive print promotions and pay to mail the CD-ROMs. Contest entrants, in turn, had to invest money and resources to package and ship their entries, in addition to paying the contest entry fee. POPAI sought a solution that would increase contest revenues and decrease labor for both entrants and the association. The online contest solution needed to increase the association’s prestige and professionalism – without requiring new employees.

The web would make it happen! OMNI SG answered POPAI’s requirement by developing omniCONTESTS, an end-to-end Internet-based solution that powered a friendly, fully customized website for the 2001 OMA Awards. The new website gained nearly total acceptance by contest entrants. An impressive 97% of entries were submitted via the web.

Benefits to entrants: The website contained all entry forms and guidelines. Entrants were able to “upload” support materials for their entries – text, images, video and audio data. Previously, entrants had to package and mail such materials. Entrants also used the website to access contest entry checklists and view the status of their entries. In the past entrants had to mail their contest entry payments, but with our online contest software, they could pay fees with credit cards online. The website calculated all applicable rates and also generated invoices. These conveniences spurred more members to enter the OMA Awards competition and submit a greater number of entries than in years past – increasing revenue to POPAI.

Savings for the association: For past contests, POPAI had invested resources in communication with entrants through the mail. Now – whether it’s the clarification of rules or the confirmation of receipt of contest materials—the website’s email capabilities, monitored by a Webmaster, ensures efficient communication.

Judging online: For past contests, judges had to convene in one place at one time, to view entries and discuss scoring. The burden was on the association to copy and collate contest materials for each judge to view and to pay for the judges’ travel and accommodations. Now, with secure passwords provided by omniCONTESTS, the OMA Awards’ judges were all able to view submissions at their own convenience and post their comments on the website for fellow judges to consider with the online judging capabilities of omniCONTESTS.

Additional benefits: An added bonus of the web solution was easy oversight of the OMA Awards’ gala event. The association spooled data from the site to produce invitations and plan for the awards presentation. The website was even used to register guests and advise them on details of the gala event.

Summary: The omniCONTESTS online contest solution increased prestige and participation in the OMA Awards, generated greater revenue in the form of increased entry fees, produced a 30% increase in contest entrants and lowered POPAI processing costs by 40%, with savings at all points in the process – publicity, clerical, work, communication, judging and event planning, and an inviting, interactive storefront for the OMA Awards.

For more information on our online award program and contest management software, contact us today!