Help generate innovative Marketing Ideas that revolve around #LetsTalk for an upcoming new TV series hosted by Katie Couric on the National Geographic Channel.

Last year, National Geographic Magazine published a ground-breaking issue called Gender Revolution, which explored the science behind gender in an effort to get to the facts about identity, and Katie Couric brought the topic and theme to life in a two-hour documentary for the National Geographic Channel.

Driven by the belief that if people hear a different perspective from someone they trust, then they are more open to listen and understand, National Geographic is continuing their work with Katie Couric to develop a TV series that will create a dialogue with people to explore important and relevant social, political, and controversial issues.  Some potential topics include: the uprising of white middle-class America; the re-writing of history in the South; what it’s like to be a Muslim in the US; the “F” word; and an in-depth look at how successful woman today still face unconscious biases. These are just a few of the topics Couric is considering exploring in her series, and they fall in line with National Geographic’s core belief that the more we understand about the world, the more we understand our role in it.

National Geographic is looking to extend Katie’s series with some innovative Marketing Ideas around the theme of #LetsTalk. The hope is that these Ideas will build awareness for the show, while also allowing Katie to continue a dialogue beyond the TV show AND keep her audiences engaged on other platforms. These aren’t commercials, and may not involve videos, so think bigger than that -- and they can even involve Katie Couric herself. 

What is a Marketing Idea?

Marketing Ideas are innovative concepts for executions and extensions of #LetsTalk through a variety of platforms. Your Marketing Ideas should fall into one or more of these categories:

• Social Conversations – Ideas that might generate regular conversation and engagement on social platforms, like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or even Reddit. For some great inspiration, check out these award-winning campaigns.
• Live Event / Activation –  Everything from hosted "dinner table discussions" and speaking engagements to pubic pop-ups, campus debates, or out-of-the-box PR stunts like jumping from outside of the atmosphere.
• Brand or Personality Partnerships - The conversation might continue through a partnership with the right brand, which can drive engagement with products, promotions, or sponsorships, or through a partnership with talent or personalities that can elevate and reinforce the idea of a dialogue.
• Original Videos – Ideas for any kind of filmed content, whether it involves extended digital-only segments that build upon something from the actual TV show, or explainer videos that help audiences understand a topic even further. This is similar to a typical Tongal Ideation project.

Check out more details below...

The goal of this project is to generate innovative Marketing Ideas that revolve around #LetsTalk for an upcoming new TV series hosted by Katie Couric on the National Geographic Channel. Your Marketing Ideas should continue the dialogue that Katie starts in her show by extending it beyond TV to other platforms and types of engagements. National Geographic is completely open as to what this actually looks like, but it’s more than a promotion or TV commercial, so think about really unique ways that Katie might be able to create dialogue between people about important issues that she may have covered within an actual episode. 

--Target Audience: National Geographic wants to speak to two groups:

-Contemporary Intellectuals – A hyper-stimulated, information-seeking group, highly curious.

• 62% Male
• 35 Median Age
• 44% 50k – 99k/year
• Mainly Urban and Suburban America

-Enlightened Wanderers – Laser focused on personal growth and they feel a personal responsibility toward advancing society and the planet.

• 60% Female
• 38 Median Age
• 43% Suburban America

--Tone: Bold, clever, high-impact, the kind of content that inspires more conversation.

This Project will be worth a total of $1,500 and consist of one Phase: a Marketing Idea Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: CONCEPT – Submit your #LetsTalk Marketing Idea convincing the Sponsor why your Idea should be selected, as outlined in the Background and Objectives above, using:

• Marketing Idea (REQUIRED) – Via the dropdown menu please specify which Marketing Idea Platform your idea is best suited for.

The three most compelling Marketing ideas will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, each will receive $500.

1. 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.

2. 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 VIDEO 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.

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

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

5. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.

6. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

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

8. In the event that fewer than 75 Concepts are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.

9. Winners must complete the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment.

10. 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.