Share concepts for unexpected, out-of-the-box, standalone videos or series that create and sustain viewership on H&R Block's YouTube channel, especially with Gen Z audiences, in between annual tax seasons.

Tax season comes but once a year, but tax prep tips, topics, and general financial literacy are important all year 'round. That's why H&R Block offers more than just various forms of tax prep services: Block Advisors offers affordable guidance and expertise for small business owners, Spruce mobile banking helps customers achieve financial literacy, and H&R Block itself offers advice, resources, and guides to help customers navigate and understand their taxes. In other words, they offer a ton of valuable resources and assistance well before – and after – April 15. But many Americans only think about that year's taxes – not to mention their future filing – when they're preparing to file their annual returns. We want to fix that and help more Americans, particularly Gen Z, gain better tax and financial literacy.

To do that, we're looking for four concepts for unconventional, out-of-the-box, unexpected, and memorable content that keeps H&R Block's YouTube channel relevant throughout the year and drives retention, particularly for Gen Z viewers (roughly 18-30). Your concepts can focus on one or all of H&R Block's brands and can take any form of video or series, but they must bring something exciting and new to the table. 

Creatively, the ball is in your court; what kind of content – either as individual videos or as ongoing series – would bring younger audiences to H&R Block's YouTube channel...and keep them engaged? We're not looking for run-of-the-mill talking heads or explainer videos: we want your most unique and exciting ideas. If your concept revolves around educational topics or content, think about how do you make those videos engaging and entertaining. If your approach is led by thumb-stopping creative, think about how would you also add educational value around tax prep, financial literacy topics, small business services, or other money management discussions. Whatever path your creative concept takes, think about how would you keep the conversation going between tax seasons. Does your content feature a recurring host or characters, would it rely on H&R Block tax pros to dispense advice, or does it lean more into using animation or motion graphics to make key search terms relatable and approachable? What video or series would get you excited about taxes, financial literacy, or H&R Block itself? These questions should serve as jumping-off points for your concepts, meant to give you a small sense of how to approach this project rather than specific guidelines to work within. So get concepting!

For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

EXPOSURE: We expect content will be used on the platforms below.

• H&R Block's YouTube channel, possibly including YouTube Shorts.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Gen Z (roughly 18-30) specifically, but broadly anyone seeking tax or financial literacy content

TONE/FEEL: Entertaining, surprising, unexpected, educational

Be sure to check out H&R Block's YouTube channel (including quite a few videos/series produced on Tongal!) and how audiences are currently engaging with their content. 

In order to be considered, include the below materials in your submission.

• CONCEPT (REQUIRED): Tell us your Concept using up to 250 characters. Remember, a concept is not a detailed script - it is a spark of inspiration or distillation of what will happen when your concept is brought to life. As always, concepts should be clever and engaging.

• HELPFUL REFERENCE LINKS (Optional): Have you seen another idea, video or marketing activation that you think makes for a helpful reference? Feel free to include a link to any existing content that'll be useful when trying to understand your Concept.

Four concept submissions will be selected and receive $300 each. Five additional concept submissions will be selected for Honorable Mentions and will receive $50 each. Submissions selected for Honorable Mention will not be used by the client, and not all submissions identified as Finalists will receive an Honorable Mention.

Should your submission be selected, you must complete the Winner Affidavit and IP Assignment forms in order to receive payment. All submitters will also receive an automated email notification when a selection has been announced. To ensure that you’re receiving project updates, review your email settings to check that you haven't unsubscribed.

1. Creators of selected submissions must provide the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment.
   
   
2. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.
   
   
3. BY SUBMITTING AN ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES - SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.
   
   
4. You may not contact any employees or members of the Sponsor’s organization, their affiliates, or any of their partners. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification of your entry in the project.
   
   
5. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor, nor can Submissions contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
6. Limit 5 submissions per member.
   
   
7. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or old to enter.
   
   
8. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest at their discretion.
   
   
9. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.