14 DAY TRIAL // The PhizzPop Design Challenge is an open invitation to web design agencies to overhaul the website of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a nonprofit organization which has been involved with philanthropic work focused on the youth of America for over 104 years. Microsoft has partnered with The Webby Awards for the design contest which features prizes in excess of $50,000. The Microsoft PhizzPop Boys & Girls Clubs of America Design Challenge was kicked off on January 11th, 2010, and all US-based web design agencies are welcome to participate for a chance at the grand price, by tailoring the Boys & Girls Clubs of America website for the Web 2.0.
“For 10 years, we’ve had the privilege of working closely with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to witness the incredible work they do in transforming the lives of children,” stated Jon Roskill, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s U.S. Business and Marketing Organization and King County Boys & Girls Club board member. “As more tech-savvy kids connect through the Web, it’s critical the Clubs bolster their online presence to engage and inform people of their critical services. The PhizzPop Challenge is one step toward achieving this goal, bringing together the best design talent and the very latest Web technologies from Microsoft to help the Clubs continue supporting millions of kids across the country.”
February 19, 2010, is the deadline for entries, Microsoft underlines. Web designers interested in participating will be able to find all the details related to the challenge on Phizzpop, including rules, guidelines for putting together the presentations, and an online form for the submission of entries. The Redmond company emphasizes that all participants in the PhizzPop Design Challenge will need to leverage the Microsoft Web Platform and Microsoft software tools in order to put together their proposal. According to the software giant, each submission will be required to respect five criteria for a chance at winning the grand prize, as the evaluation will be focused on content and communication plan, structure and navigation, visual design, integration of Microsoft technology, and scope of interactivity.
“The Webby Awards are thrilled to join forces with Microsoft in challenging agencies to push the envelope in developing new and engaging interactive experiences,” added David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards. “Our goal is to not only support the vital work of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, but to also identify new best practices that can enhance the online efforts of all organizations.”
No less than three finalist teams will be selected to travel to MIX10 in Las Vegas (March 15–17), with all travel and hotel accommodation paid for. MIX will be the stage where the finalists will present their concepts before a panel of judges from Microsoft, Boys & Girls Club of America and the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences. Out of the three finalists, the grand prize winner will be selected to receive $50,000, as well as have two members of the team travel to the 14th Annual Webby Awards on June 14th, 2010, in New York City.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to benefit from some of the brightest and most innovative design talent, especially as it relates to the Web and interactive media,” noted Boys & Girls Clubs of America President and CEO Roxanne Spillett. “In an increasingly competitive marketplace, nonprofits must meet donors and the general public where they live, and the Web cuts across all socioeconomic dynamics.”