Case Study Example for Using Social Media Contest to Drive Regional Awareness

MISSION, Texas, Dec. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- When magazines and brochures are no longer read, the world will still enjoy a good contest that features interesting prizes.  The competition amongst communities vying for the attention of Economic Developers and Site Selection Consultants has now taken a fun twist, with Mission Economic Development Authority's launch of a Social Media driven contest featuring some amazing high-tech prizes.

"The strong and growing economy here in South Texas is good news worth sharing," says Pat Townsend Jr., President and CEO of Mission Economic Development Authority in Mission, Texas.  "What better way to spread a great story than by leveraging the power of social media and some fun prizes?"

Among the prizes up for grabs is a stunning combo package consisting of a Parrot AR Drone remote-controlled Quadricopter with a 32 gig Apple iPad to control the camera toting 'copter.  Other prizes are also being awarded to winning entries.  To enter, contestants need to simply submit an original photograph to the MissionEDA website that successfully captures the concept of "opportunity."

"We thought the Quadricopter and iPad grand prize would be perfect because the winner could fly around and see for themselves the incredible growth and economic opportunities that developers are finding here in Mission, Texas," says Daniel Silva, Project Manager at MEDA.  "The contest challenges people to convey the idea of "opportunity" in a photograph.  "Opportunity is what people are desperately looking for in this economy, and it's what developers are finding here in Mission," says Silva.

Social media tools such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter are all being used to promote the contest, with the ultimate goal of bringing more awareness to a market that enjoys great economic success, but little national recognition.

The contest ends on the morning of December 20, 2010 and complete rules are on the MissionEDA.org website along with contestant entries to view. Mission, Texas lies in the heart of Rio South Texas, a critical trade region along the Texas/Mexico border that has exploded onto the scene in recent years and is now the 23rd largest market in the US.

Prizes are slated for giveaway just in time for Christmas, but if it's too cold and snowy for you to fly your new 'copter where you live, you could always come down to the tropical paradise that is South Texas.

Contact:  Daniel Silva, +1-956-585-0040, for Mission Economic Development Authority

SOURCE Mission Economic Development Authority