And another design contest has been announced. The Nebraska State Fair is putting on logo contest for the 2010 State Fair. On top of that an organization I belong to, the AAF Omaha, has posted the announcement on their website, aafomaha.org. The AAF Omaha has taken the post down.
The contact email for the contest is jhafer@statefair.org, to which I strongly suggest writing an email, in a professional manner, about your displeasure in the contest. If you need a great example see the open letter Drew Davies sent to Gov. Heineman on the NE plates or reference the NO!SPEC website.
Dear State Fair Officials,
Here's what I'd like to do when my family attends the State Fair this summer. We'd like to try all the concessions and ride all the rides. Then, when we leave, we'll pay for the food item and the ride we liked the most. It'll save us a ton of money too. What do ya think? Is it a deal?
Thanks,
Jeff Reiner
Turnpost
P.S. I think you should make this policy.
Can't wait for the Fair!
Posted by: Jeff Reiner | January 27, 2010 at 02:04 PM
What's more shocking? UNL CoJMC still believes in these competitions. I'll apologize on their behalf for the confused, perverted students who will be entering the ad world believing spec work to be permissible.
It's not their faults.
Posted by: Kyle Stebbins | February 02, 2010 at 10:28 AM
Did anyone else write a letter to the State Fair organizers, and hear anything back? I'd be interested to see what they'd say. Not that I'd expect them to change, but if we keep trying to make things public, maybe future organizations will be mindful of the pushback.
Posted by: Kevin | February 02, 2010 at 12:09 PM
I emailed them and have heard nothing in response. I found this tweet on the State Fair twitter stream about the recent hire of the marketing person.
The last member to join our staff is setting up her office today! Welcome Jana Hafer, our new Marketing Director!
10:00 AM Jan 25th from web
Posted by: NE Creative | February 02, 2010 at 12:22 PM
"Welcome to your new job. Here's a giant stack of hate mail from a bunch of designers."
I also wrote to the State Fair and have not heard any response. I'm hoping they'll at least address the issue in some public fashion.
Posted by: Drew Davies | February 02, 2010 at 01:00 PM
I was emailed about the competition a few weeks ago and responded with an explanation on why logo competitions are unethical and unfair to the advertising community. I explained how they will not find a suitable logo with proper research, directed them towards the NE plate situation to show them the mess this could create and told them they could come visit to discuss further.
I received a response saying they thank me for my honesty and understand my discomfort. By the looks of it, my email only swayed them from using the word "contest" in the RFP.
Posted by: kevinroyden | February 03, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Thanks. That's is great about the logo contest.
Posted by: jack | February 10, 2010 at 12:28 AM
I would love to participate in logo design contests but very bust to do so that I will refer it to my cousin and friends to get the job done.
Posted by: Mobile Reviews | December 31, 2010 at 01:32 AM