360 Free RICOH THETA Cameras Distributed to Encourage Citizens to Report Local News in Innovative Contest
Tokyo, March 28, 2014—Ricoh Company, Ltd. and Ricoh Imaging Company Ltd. are pleased to announce the launch of Spherical Report 360 (SR360), an advertisement feature on the CNN website. SR360 is a fun and interactive contest which equips citizens with a free RICOH THETA spherical camera and presents them with the unique opportunity to become a photojournalist by reporting on local news and events.
Thanks to its unique design and advanced technology, the RICOH THETA enables users to capture immersive imagery that truly replicates the complete surroundings of an individual. The resulting output presents an incredible imaging experience that expands the possibilities for journalistic photography.
As part of the SR360 contest, 360 RICOH THETA camera units will be distributed free of charge to selected applicants to use as they document local happenings and news stories and submit them to the engaging and interactive website. Interested parties should visit http://advertisementfeature.cnn.com/sr360 March 27, 2014 through April 10, 2014 to enter to receive a RICOH THETA camera.
Starting May 1st, selected recipients will be encouraged to document the events surrounding them, similar to a photojournalist, and post the images they’ve taken with the RICOH THETA 360-degree camera to the SR360 website. The photo-submission contest will take place over the course of four months with a Most Valuable Photographer (MVP) being selected each month. The contest will end on August 31st, 2014 and images shared on the SR360 website will be judged by a panel of distinguished guests. From the submitted images, one Grand Prize winner and two Gold Prize winners will be selected. In addition, current RCOH THETA owners are also invited to submit images for consideration.
Award winners will be invited to an exciting round-table discussion in September 2014 to discuss their image and inspiration and accept their award.
A full list of terms and conditions can be found at http://advertisementfeature.cnn.com/sr360.
<Contest Outline>
Application: The application period for the 360 units of the RICOH THETA (limited to residents of the US) will run from March 27, 2014 to April 10, 2014. The product will be delivered to the selected candidates by the end of April. (Candidates will receive the product without prior announcement.) *Those who post one image a month during the project period will be able to keep the RICOH THETA camera after the close of the contest.
Posting Content: Images should be posted to the SR360 website during the image posting period which starts May 1, 2014 and ends August 31, 2014. The posting of content is open to the public and is limited only to images shot with the RICOH THETA. Posting from outside the US is also accepted. During each month of the posting period a Most Valuable Photographer (MVP) will be selected and announced.
Winning: Contest winners will be selected and announced at the close of the posting period. The top three prize winners will be invited to an award ceremony and round-table discussion which will be held in September 2014, in Los Angeles, CA.
*Please check details on the Spherical Report 360 special site.
– A Grand Prize will be awarded to one winner: Digital single lens reflex camera, the PENTAX K-3 18–135WR kit
– Gold Prize will be awarded to two winners: Compact digital camera, the RICOH GR Limited Edition
– Monthly MVP will be awarded to four winners: Multifunction wristwatch, the RICOH COMMANDER)
Judging: Details of the panel of judges responsible for selecting the winners will be posted on the SR360 website on May 1, 2014.
Spherical Report 360 special site: http://advertisementfeature.cnn.com/sr360
RICOH THETA official site: http://theta360.com/
SR360 operating office: SR360@SR360.info
For product inquiries, please contact RICOH IMAGING Customer Care at (800) 877-0155, or visit http://ricohwebform.tosystems.com