Next Gen Market Research (NGMR) “Make Research Meme-ingful” Contest
Attention all Next Generation Market Researchers: here’s your chance to prove that researchers can be just as creative, witty and new media-savvy as our marketing, advertising, and PR counterparts - while also making a statement about an important research industry cause or issue by producing viral content.
Next Gen Market Research (NGMR) - The networking group for research market research innovators - is hosting the industry’s first Internet “meme” competition!
What’s a meme? A “meme” (rhymes with “team”) refers to a concept and/or content - video, audio, text, graphic, etc. - that achieves cultural significance by being quickly and widely spread online and by word of mouth. (More about this further down…)
Now, while achieving cultural significance would be nice, we’re not so ambitious. We don’t expect the general public to go nuts over a YouTube video about response rates or a cheeky cartoon about probability samples (although you never know).
What we are interested in is something that achieves
research industry significance by generating buzz in the research community: appearing on prominent MR blogs, websites and social networks; being covered in trade publications; being shared on Twitter and by email; perhaps being referenced at industry conferences, etc.
Whether you generate some water cooler chuckles or spark a major industry initiative, the goal is to start a “meme-ingful” dialogue among your peers and colleagues in research by creating a really potent viral message: a research meme.
HOW IT WORKS
- Pick a topic: Make sure it’s something that you’re passionate about, and which is directly relevant to market research. Maybe it’s online panel quality? Call centers? Mobile surveys? Co-creation? Communities? Respondent cooperation? DIY? Commoditization? Procurement? Client-supplier relations? Qual v. Quant? Text Analytics? Whatever you like… My current personal favorites are text analytics, social media research, offshoring and ISO standards. (Sorry, but no favoritism will be shown nor extra points awarded for covering these topics, although you’ll earn a special place in my heart.)
- Create a meme: Make a video; write a song; design a graphic, slogan or logo; develop a clever viral campaign… The only limitation is your creativity. (For a simple example, I recently appropriated the Star Wars “Obi-Wan” meme to make a point about offshoring in a recent blog post.)
- Upload, Submit & Spread: email your execution along with a brief explanation to ( meme [@] nextgenmr. com). We’ll review the content to make sure it’s appropriate (see rules below), and pending approval, it will be posted on NGMR. Regular updates on new submissions will be sent to NGMR members, but we expect you to help spread your meme around, too. Put it out there! The more hits, eyeballs and places it shows up, the better your chances to win.
- Judging & Deadlines: Submissions will be accepted through May 2011, after which point NGMR members will determine the winner in an online poll.
- The Spoils: The winning meme will be showcased on the NGMR site. The winner will also be awarded a $1000 Amazon.com gift certificate, and will be featured in a special blog interview to elaborate on their meme topic.
Selection Criteria: Entries will be posted on NGMR as they are submitted. Best entries will be selected for final judging by NGMR members. Judging will be based on a mix of factors, including originality, dissemination/”buzz”/viral quotient, and industry relevance.
Memes can be original consumer-generated content and/or appropriated from mass media (an advertising jingle, a nightly broadcast network news clip, an iconic film scene, etc.) or even a pre-existing meme. A meme could also be a quote, a joke, a photo, a sound byte, or even a person (e.g., “Joe the Plumber” became a major political meme in the 2008 U.S. presidential election). The point is that regardless of form, the meme is a traveler who goes far and wide…
Successful memes tend to be humorous, controversial and even caustic.
We encourage this!!!
We’re looking for honest and entertaining expressions of real positions on important issues, without fear of politics or retribution.
Therefore, you have the option to post your meme anonymously (your identity will be held in strict confidence - we only need it in order to award your prize).
For some edgy examples, visit the Internet meme database
And for more inspiration, comedian Daniel Tosh hosts a show on the Comedy Central network called “Tosh.0” devoted to online video memes.
Official NGMR “Make Research Meme-ingful” Rules
1. This contest is open to NGMR members only. If you are not currently an NGMR member but would like to learn more about becoming one, please visit http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/31804
2. Memes must be directly relevant to a market research industry cause or issue.
3. All submissions will be reviewed for appropriateness prior to being published and should be in ‘relatively’ good taste.
4. You may create a brand new meme or simply customize an existing meme.
5. Some contestants may wish to remain anonymous. You may still participate. Simply indicate whether or not you would like to be recognized by name when submitting your meme. (All “anonymous” authors’ identities will be held in strict confidence.)
6. Submissions will be accepted on an ongoing basis through May 2011. Note: the earlier you upload your meme, the more time you will have to promote it and the better your chances will be for spreading it widely.
7. The winner will be selected by NGMR members in an online poll in June2011.
8. NGMR reserves the right to amend rules as needed during the course of the contest.
For further information or if you have questions, please contact me or email: meme [at] nextgenmr. com
Good luck! 
@TomHCAnderson
![[Post to Twitter]](../../../../wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/icons/tt-twitter-big1.png){kind=icon}
39 responses so far ↓
1 Bob Adler // Jun 7, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Sorry that the first comment is almost a question, but I was more than intrigued to see a deadline for submissions of May 2011. I wonder why you chose such a long-term timeframe of nearly a year, since so much of what I have seen written about social media events argues for event lengths to be quite short. I am intrigued by what appears to be your contrarian thinking. Thanks.
2 Tom H C Anderson // Jun 7, 2010 at 5:56 pm
You’re the second person to say that to me Bob.
My thinking is based on the Memes in the Internet Meme Database, not based on the typical corporate generated Memes. These memes spark additional similar memes. As this is a contest, and part of the way to measure efficacy is SEO and uptake, we need a certain amount of time in order to gauge this.
Therefore the sooner you get your Meme up, the more chance there is it will have greater SEO, and greater chance it will win.
This is in a way an experiment, and market researchers are used to experiments, I think we have the patience. Besides it is intended to generate interesting and/or fun content for a while, so if it was over in a couple of weeks, what fun would that be?
NGMR has been around since 2007, so we’re not going anywhere
[We got one submission already I see.]
3 Tom H C Anderson // Jun 8, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Getting a few questions about what a Meme is.
Please see http://knowyourmeme.com/ for inspiration
4 1st Market Research Internet Meme Contest Follow Up // Jun 10, 2010 at 2:30 pm
[...] already received hundreds of visits and TWO submissions within just a couple of days of making the NGMR Meme Contest announcement! That’s really [...]
5 Sneak Peak of Largest Ever MR Survey // Jun 11, 2010 at 11:30 am
[...] as market research professionals see them will help NGMR members who will be competing in the NGMR Meme Contest pick the most relevant topic areas for their [...]
6 Market Research Internet Meme Contest: Meme 1-5 // Jun 23, 2010 at 8:58 am
[...] out more about the contest see rules and [...]
7 Market Research Internet Meme Contest: Meme 6 - 8 // Jun 24, 2010 at 11:30 am
[...] Find out more about the contest here. [...]
8 Friday NGMR Memes // Jul 9, 2010 at 2:22 pm
[...] Feel Free to submit your own NGMR Meme for the contest! [...]
9 Process & Quality Improvement Change Meme // Jul 21, 2010 at 11:50 am
[...] is of course separate from the NGMR meme contest we have going on, but feel free to participate in [...]
10 MR ISO - Resistance is Futile! // Aug 4, 2010 at 9:24 am
[...] If you would like to submit your own market research related meme to the NGMR meme contest please see instructions here. [...]
11 More Market Research Zombies // Aug 18, 2010 at 9:33 am
[...] If you get inspired, feel free to submit your own NGMR Meme. [...]
12 Market Research Needs ISO // Aug 19, 2010 at 5:20 pm
[...] If you would like to submit a NGMR Meme on ISO or any other market research topic, here are contest details. [...]
13 Survey Respondent Video Meme // Aug 24, 2010 at 9:21 am
[...] Greenfield Online submits today’s #NGMR Meme. It’s in the corporate category (see rules), and is a video which Toluna hopes will spread so that potential survey respondents (and other [...]
14 The ISSO Titanic // Aug 25, 2010 at 4:26 pm
[...] be so popular. If YOU would like to submit a Next Gen market Research Meme you can find out more here. It’s easy and [...]
15 DIY Market Research is Often Creepy // Aug 30, 2010 at 10:06 am
[...] [Feel free to submit your own NGMR Meme. Contest Details] [...]
16 Worlds Coolest Market Researcher // Sep 1, 2010 at 9:24 am
[...] are for inspirational purposes only. Please feel free to use the above ideas and submit your own NGMR Meme for a chance to win the $1000 [...]
17 World’s Coolest Market Researcher - Part Deu // Sep 3, 2010 at 3:03 pm
[...] [To find out more about the NGMR Meme contest please see rules here] [...]
18 Say Yes To German Market Research | Kathrin Maass // Oct 15, 2010 at 8:34 am
[...] print campaign is great and has lost of meme potential in my opinion. Maybe somebody from Next Gen Market Research’s First Internet Meme Competition stumbles over the campaign. Too bad some of the German puns don´t translate well to [...]
19 NGMR Meme Competition - Today’s Submissions // Dec 8, 2010 at 10:55 am
[...] For everyone else, we have less than 4 months left till the competition closes, so if you’ve been thinking of submitting an NGMR Meme hurry up and do so. It’s simple and fun, and your entry could win you honor, glory and the $1,000 prize! Remember, Memes can be videos as well [Contest Details] [...]
20 The Venn of Market Research // Jan 6, 2011 at 7:04 pm
[...] [If you haven't submitted a meme to the competition you have almost 4 months to do so. But don't delay. It's easy and fun to create one, and you're allowed to enter more than one. See contest details here.] [...]
21 Calling All Next Gen Market Researchers // May 14, 2011 at 6:33 am
[...] Just a quick post today to remind all fellow Next Gen Market Researchers that the submission deadline for our Meme competition is just a couple of weeks away. As a reminder, other than being plain fun, and having the bragging rights associated with winning, we’re actually giving out a cash prize of $1,000 (see rules). [...]
22 Consumer Engagement (NGMR Meme) // May 22, 2011 at 8:33 am
[...] NGMR Meme contest submissions end May 31, submit your Meme [...]
23 NGMR Meme Submission from Quirk’s // May 22, 2011 at 10:48 am
[...] of Focus Groups meme, there is now less than a week to submit your NGMR Meme for the competition and chance at winning the $1,000 Grand [...]
24 Researcher Nightmares // May 23, 2011 at 8:59 am
[...] NGMR Meme contest submissions end May 31, submit your Meme [...]
25 Incremental Innovation OR Not! // May 23, 2011 at 2:09 pm
[...] NGMR Meme contest submissions end May 31, submit your Meme [...]
26 The Millennial Challenge // May 24, 2011 at 2:31 pm
[...] NGMR Meme contest submissions end May 31, submit your Meme [...]
27 Next Zen Market Research! // May 24, 2011 at 2:38 pm
[...] NGMR Meme contest submissions end May 31, submit your Meme [...]
28 Explaining What You Do for a Living // May 27, 2011 at 9:08 am
[...] NGMR Meme contest submissions end May 31, submit your Meme [...]
29 I Didn’t Meme It // May 27, 2011 at 10:16 am
[...] NGMR Meme contest submissions end May 31, submit your Meme [...]
30 Market Research Priorities // May 27, 2011 at 11:10 am
[...] NGMR Meme contest submissions end May 31, submit your Meme [...]
31 Research Support VS. Illumination // May 28, 2011 at 10:50 am
[...] everyone, there’s still time for an NGMR meme submission, you have until this [...]
32 But How do You Really Feel About DIY? // May 28, 2011 at 1:38 pm
[...] NGMR Meme contest submissions end May 31, submit your Meme [...]
33 Cosa Nostra of Marketing Research // May 28, 2011 at 6:54 pm
[...] NGMR Meme contest submissions end May 31, submit your Meme [...]
34 PC or MAC of Marketing Research? // May 29, 2011 at 6:51 pm
[...] NGMR Meme contest submissions end May 31, submit your Meme [...]
35 Surveys for Gen Y? // May 31, 2011 at 1:25 pm
[...] NGMR Meme contest submissions end Today, submit your Meme [...]
36 Predict This! // Jun 2, 2011 at 11:58 am
[...] Meme is a submission to the NGMR Meme Contest received before Tuesday’s deadline. While contest submission deadline is now over we will continue [...]
37 Vancouver Riots and Internet Meme’s // Jun 17, 2011 at 11:38 pm
[...] tuned, update on NGMR meme contest coming soon next [...]
38 NGMR Meme Contest Survey // Jun 22, 2011 at 7:40 pm
[...] ago Next Gen Marketing Research networking group (NGMR) launched the first ever marketing research meme contest. The contest is intended to inspire researchers to comment on those issues they feel most [...]
39 NGMR Meme Tournament Continues! // Jul 4, 2011 at 12:19 pm
[...] a quick post today to let you know the NGMR Meme Contest voting will end next week. As of now the eight meme’s pictured in the bracket above seem to [...]
Leave a Comment