The next "Bush in 30 Seconds". Advice needed!

[Mugsy]

Hi everyone. BI30 needs your help and lots of good advice.

In 2004, I created "The Bush in 30 Seconds Archive" website, which continued to host the ads from MoveOn.org's famous contest throughout 2004 until the election in November. I want to bring it back with a new contest for the 2006 mid-term elections... kind of a "Bush-Republicans in 30 Seconds" type contest (since Bush isn't running again).

However, I am nowhere near as big and influential as MoveOn, and the chances of raising enough money to run the winning ad on National TV is roughly zero, so I'm considering a *print* version of the contest instead, with perhaps running a full or half page ad in 5 major newspapers that are home to crucial state races necessary for the restoration of a Democratic majority to Congress. Winning back control of the Legislative Branch of government is every bit as significant as winning the White House, just harder, having to win numerous elections instead of just one.

But I'm encountering several problems. Most notably, the cost to run just one full-page ad in a major metropolitan newspaper for just one (week)day is over $45,000. I doubt BI30 could raise enough money to run one ad in just one city let alone multiple ads in multiple cities, and I don't want to ask anyone to "trust me" with a quarter-million dollars in donations to spend the money running those ads. I need a cheap and/or free alternative.

What would the prize have to be to entice people to partake in any new contest? If "BI30-Part Deux" does not accept any money to run ads, and is operating "out of pocket" (mine), what kind of contest can we run?

Within these limitations, I'm thinking of an "anything goes" contest, print, audio, video, whatever; and just have everyone email their favorite entires to their friends. More "word-of-mouth" self-promotion over the Net than relying on the Mass Media. I'd still prefer to do Print, but I just don't see how.

I'm thinking that with just a few donations and marginal advertising, we could make the grand prize a small collection of politically themed DVDs, or sign someone up with free broadband service for one year prepaid. (I'm open to all other ideas.)

Without any major "recognized big name" sponsor(s), any contest that seeks to raise tens of thousands of dollars just isn't an option. I need ideas and I need them fast.

Right now, BI30 is shooting for a May 2006 release date.

Please contact me at [e-mail] if you can help.

PS: Please bump this notice so others see it.
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