It’s easy to become a corner cutter. It starts out small—once in a while…steak night turns into burger night.  Then, your regular Friday night date to the movies becomes a date to the movie rental box.  Before you know it, you’re really in hot water when your girlfriend figures out that the new Gucci bag you gave her is really a “Grucci.”

Think of this Project as a cold shower brought to you courtesy of our friends over at Benjamin Moore.  A friendly reminder that authenticity counts, there are certain things you should never cut corners on, and that sometimes close enough is simply not good enough.

Still don’t get it? Well, sometimes you can find the writing on the wall—literally.

Mismatched colors are often not evident until the paint is on the walls, and the results can be disappointing. Competitors may claim they can match Benjamin Moore colors, but the truth is that in 75% - 85% of cases, the cheap paint you bought from the big boxy store just wont cut it. You can only get true Benjamin Moore color using authentic Benjamin Moore paint.  

Benjamin Moore wants you to create funny and irreverent 30-second videos designed to shine a light on the misconception that you can get Benjamin Moore color without using Benjamin Moore Paint. NOTE: You do not have to (but you may) submit concepts/videos specifically about buying the wrong “paint.”  Benjamin Moore is looking for fun content pointing out that in anything, “close enough” is not good enough.

--Key Marketing Messages:

 * For authentic Benjamin Moore colors, insist on Benjamin Moore paint.

* You can only get true Benjamin Moore colors using Benjamin Moore paint.

* Be sure that the color you picked is the color you get.

* Close enough is not good enough.

This project will be worth a total of $15,000 and consist of three phases so there’s a place for all of you to contribute, regardless of your skill set.

PHASE 1: CONCEPT –  In 250 characters or less, tell us your concept for the video. Remember, a concept is not a detailed script, it is a brief synopsis or distillation of what will happen in the commercial. As always, concepts should be clever, engaging, and fun. Winning concepts will receive a 5% residual payment of every winning video they are used to generate.

PHASE 2: VIDEO –  Select one of the 5 winning Concepts from phase 1 and make a 30-second video for Benjamin Moore based on it. Think of the concept as the central thesis that you should build your video around. As always, creativity and originality are king so make it interesting and have some fun with it. We’ll be providing animated bumpers in the Project Files tab in the coming days.  Feel free to use them at the end of your submissions or as you see fit.

PHASE 3: EXHIBITION –  Using the five winning Videos from the previous phase, try to generate as many views of the videos as possible within a period of thirty (30) days. This Phase is OPEN TO EVERY REGISTERED MEMBER ON TONGAL. This means that even if you did not create a video, you may participate in this phase. Here’s how it works:

1. Share the five winning videos using the Tongal Video Player or Share To YouTube functionality anywhere on the web.

2. Every video you share has a special code embedded within it that is unique to each Tongal member.

3. Every time someone watches a video that you shared, we will be able to track that view using your unique code and you will be rewarded one point.

4. The first three (3) members who achieve 50,000 views, will receive a 16GB Wi-Fi iPad.

To learn more about Benjamin Moore and Benjamin Moore Authentic Color click here (http://bit.ly/cqIIbh)

1. Videos MUST not exceed 30 seconds in length.  Preferred format is HD 720p 16x9.  Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv.  Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX.

2. All work must be your own and free of any copyrighted material.

3. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Benjamin Moore.

4. Submissions must not portray Benjamin Moore in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Benjamin Moore.

5. Submissions must be in the English language or subtitled.

6. Limit 5 submission(s) per member, per phase.

7. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

8. Minimum twenty (20) Videos or the contest will repost for seven (7) days.

9. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions.