Why is NYC Media Lab holding the Media Mash?

NYC Media Lab seeks to connect companies, developers, academics, and others to advance new technologies and drive collaborative innovation. Media Mash does just that by challenging developers at universities and beyond to utilize content from New York City media and technology companies in new and interesting ways.

What are the criteria for the winning applications?

Software applications will be judged on the Quality of the Idea (including creativity and originality), Implementation of the Idea (including user experience and design), and Potential Impact on Media Innovation (including whether the application offers a new user experience of content, a new means of distributing media content, and/or highlights a potential new media business model). The Popular Choice award will be determined by public voting. For full details, review the Official Rules.

If I participate or win, do I keep ownership of my application?

By submitting an app to Media Mash, you retain any applicable intellectual property rights to your submission. However, NYC Media Lab and ChallengePost (the competition administrator) will have the right to post your submission and identify you by name on MediaMash.ChallengePost.com during the competition and for 2 years after its conclusion.

Can I charge for my app?

You may charge a fee to download your app, provided doing so does not violate the terms of any API, feed, or dataset incorporated in your app. You must provide free access to your application to NYC Media Lab, ChallengePost, and the Media Mash judges so they can verify eligibility and evaluate your submission.

Can my app include advertisements?

Yes, you may use advertising in your application. Please note, however, that if the content of the ads is deemed inappropriate, your submission may be disqualified.

What will NYC Media Lab and ChallengePost do with my submission?

NYC Media Lab and ChallengePost will have the right to display and promote your submission to the public on the challenge website and partner sites. They will also be allowed to publicize your name in connection with the submission and the challenge.

Can more than one person work on an application and receive credit for it? And if the app wins a prize, will the prize money be split among the creators?

Yes, teams are encouraged. If a team of individuals, a corporation, or an organization is selected as a prizewinner, the administrator will divide the prize equally among the team members identified at the time of submission. It will be up to the winning team or organization to reallocate the prize money, if they deem it appropriate.

Can I enter more than one application?

Yes. There is no limit to how many times an eligible person or organization may enter. An individual may also participate on behalf of more than one team, corporation, or nonprofit organization. If you submit two or more applications that are substantially similar, NYC Media Lab and the competition administrator reserve the right to disqualify submissions or require you to choose one submission to enter into the competition.

Who is eligible to enter the competition and from what countries?

The Media Mash is open to legal residents, 18 years of age or older, of the United States and its territories, and to legally registered corporations or organizations that are domiciled in the United States and employ fewer than 50 people at the time of entry. (See the next question for large organization eligibility.) Participants may not create apps for Media Mash using their own APIs, feeds, or data (if an organization) or those of their employer (if an individual).

We are an organization. Can we enter?

Organizations with fewer than 50 employees may enter and compete for the cash prizes if they are legally established entities (for-profit, non-profit, academic) domiciled in the United States. Organizations with 50 or more employees may enter and compete for the Large Organization Recognition Award, which has no cash prize. Large Organizations must also be domiciled in the United States.

Must I use APIs, feeds, and datasets from participating companies? Where can I find them?

Yes, applications must use at least one API, feed, or dataset from the participating media companies identified on the Resources tab.

Why do I have to upload a video?

The Popular Choice award is determined by public voting. Some viewers may not have access to the desktop, web, or mobile platform you used to build your app. A video helps ensure that all users can view and experience your app. The video will also be helpful to the panel of judges. Your video should clearly and concisely demonstrate the functionality and purpose of your app. You may create a screencast or use a handheld video camera to make your video, or choose any other method that captures the app’s value and user interface. Your video is not required to have audio, but it is strongly encouraged as a narration may help viewers, including judges, understand and appreciate your app.

What are the key competition dates?

The submission deadline for applications is June 20, 2012, at 5 p.m. EST. Judging and public voting will begin on June 27, 2012 at 10 a.m. EST, and will end July 24, 2012 at 5 p.m. EST. Winners will be announced on or around July 24, 2012.

How do I enter?

1. Create an account on MediaMash.ChallengePost.com or log in with an existing ChallengePost account.
2. On MediaMash.ChallengePost.com, click Accept this challenge to register your interest in participating. This step ensures that you will receive important challenge updates.
3. Explore the data, APIs, and RSS feeds available from participating media organizations on the Resources tab of the challenge website.
4. Create a working software application that uses at least one data set, API, or RSS feed from a participating media organization.
5. Confirm that you have read and agree to the Official Rules, and submit your application by including a link to your downloadable app or website, a video demonstrating how it works, a text description of the app, and at least one image of your working application.

Note: It’s important to include a video of your app. Some people may not have access to your app platform and will rely on the video. Be sure to create a video that clearly and concisely demonstrates the functionality and purpose of your app, as well as the API, feed, or data used.

Does my app need to have store approval prior to the submission deadline?

No, but your app should be submitted to the relevant app store for review by the submission deadline and you will need to provide us with access for testing (see next question for details).

How can I provide ChallengePost with access to test my app if it hasn’t been approved yet by the relevant app store?

iOS Apps

If you developed an iOS app and it has not yet been approved by the app store, you can send it to us via TestFlight. Enter our email address and UDID to share a build with us for testing.

Our TestFlight account email is: Marny@ChallengePost.com

Our UDIDs are:
iPad (iOS 5.0.1) e21acf963c60919f6f0aa23d42cef5f06e25ee2d
iPod Touch 4th Gen (iOS 5.0.1)13d9c9e50d705446c07fc5d2c3c3144c69ffc576

Alternatively, you can also send us a .ipa file at Support@ChallengePost.com

Android Apps

If your Android app has not yet been approved by the app store, send us a .apk file at Support@ChallengePost.com

Does my application have to be new for this competition?

No, your application does not have to be created for this competition, provided it meets all of the submission requirements outlined in the Official Rules. Your application cannot be substantially similar to an application that you previously entered and won a prize for in another competition.

Will more APIs, feeds or datasets be added during the competition?

New participating companies and their APIs, feeds, and datasets may be added to the Resources tab during the competition period until March 28, 2012. After that date no new resources will be added, but individual APIs, feeds, and datasets may change or be updated. You may want to verify periodically the APIs, feeds, and datasets used in your application.

What if I have questions about an API or other resource?

If you have questions about the APIs, feeds, or data, please use the support contact provided for the participating company on the Resources tab.

How does public voting work?

Visitors to the site can vote for as many submissions as they like, but no more than once for a single submission. At the end of the public voting period, the votes will be tallied and verified to determine the Popular Choice award winner.

How do I follow the Media Mash and receive updates?

Sign up on the challenge website and click Follow or Accept this challenge to receive email updates. Follow us on Twitter: @nycmedialab

Who can I contact if I have a question about the Media Mash?

Email us at Support@ChallengePost.com and put “Media Mash” in the subject.