Mattel is looking for authentic and emotionally compelling stories that communicate the heroism and bravery of everyday people!

Everyday heroes come in all shapes and sizes and operate in all corners of the globe, but one thing is for certain – their bravery, strength, and kindness is emblematic of the type of human beings we all aspire to be.  They are positive role models for families and kids whose actions encourage critical values of practicing goodness and conquering fears in actionable ways.

Now, if this struck a chord and you have someone in mind, we would love for you to share their story… It doesn't have to be a single person - it could be a group or team.  Or even a special animal helper.

We are turning to the Tongal community to find everyday heroes and capture their stories on video.

What you need to know:

• These must be true stories featuring real people.  No actors.
• Story submissions must include a 500-character (or less) summary describing where this person is based, along with a photo of the participating individual.  You also have an option to upload a supporting video of the individual, as well as an optional biography.
• The person from the submitted story, if selected, may be featured in a short documentary-style video.

If you are submitting YOUR own story:

• For submitting a winning story on your own behalf, you will receive a $500 award. 
• You may be contacted at a later date to appear in an authentic stories video.  If Mattel chooses to move forward with video production and would like you to appear in the video, you will need to sign a Story Cooperation Agreement, and you will receive an additional $250 for your participation.  If they elect not to adapt your story as a video, there will be no additional compensation beyond this award.
• Please submit your contact information (phone number and email address) along with your submission.

If you are submitting someone else’s story:

• For submitting a winning story on someone else’s behalf, you will receive $100 of the $500 award.  The Story Subject will receive $400.
• The Story Subject may be contacted at a later date to appear in an authentic stories video.  If the Mattel chooses to move forward with video production and would like the Story Subject to appear in the video, both you and the Story Subject will need to sign a Story Cooperation Agreement, and the Story Subject will receive an additional $250 for their participation.  If they elect not to adapt the story as a video, there will be no additional compensation beyond this award.
• Please submit your contact information (phone number, address, and email) along with your submission as well as the Story Subject's contact information.

Read on for more important information!

The goal of this project is to find compelling authentic stories featuring everyday heroes.  

--Tone:  Positive, exciting, teamwork, confident, friendly, adventurous, strength, brave.  We’re NOT looking for stories that are extremely sad or depressing.  

--Audience: The target audience is kids between 3-7 and co-viewing with parents.

This project will be worth a total of $2,500 and consists of one Phase: A Story Phase.  Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: STORY – Submit your story in 500 characters or less. All story submissions MUST include where this person is based, along with a photo of the participating individual. You also have an option to upload a supporting video of the individual, as well as an optional biography, though neither is required. Winners may be subject to a background check. 

If you are submitting YOUR own story:

• For submitting a winning story on your own behalf, you will receive a $500 award. 
• You may be contacted at a later date to appear in an authentic stories video.  If Mattel chooses to move forward with video production and would like you to appear in the video, you will need to sign a Story Cooperation Agreement, and you will receive an additional $500 for your participation.  If they elect not to adapt your story as a video, there will be no additional compensation beyond this award.
• Please submit your contact information (phone number and email address) along with your submission.

If you are submitting someone else’s story:

• For submitting a winning story on someone else’s behalf, you will receive $100 of the $500 award.  The Story Subject will receive $400.
• The Story Subject may be contacted at a later date to appear in an authentic stories video.  If the Mattel chooses to move forward with video production and would like the Story Subject to appear in the video, both you and the Story Subject will need to sign a Story Cooperation Agreement, and the Story Subject will receive an additional $250 for their participation.  If they elect not to adapt the story as a video, there will be no additional compensation beyond this award.
• Please submit your contact information (phone number, address, and email) along with your submission as well as the Story Subject's contact information.

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.

7. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or old.

8. The sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest at their discretion.

9. Submissions from Germany and France are ineligible and will be immediately disqualified.

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

11. 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.