Stupid Disney World Trip Contest

[debloco]

Here's the inside scoop. The station wants you to spend more time listening. That's why they don't tell you exactly when it is going to happen. Your DC station does want people from their station to win. The 'promo' pieces that you are hearing are being produced at a corportate level. So when you get a winner at 3pm, it is 3:10 before the company answering the calls has their info. Then they need to deal with voice and information releases, so it is now 315. Then corportate gets that info plus the audio to build into a promo. Creative services builds the promo, so now it is at least 330. Then they need to send the promo down the wan or email it too all the participating stations as an mp3. Then it needs to be loaded into the computer system at your station and scheduled to run 3:45.

While I"m sure they are trying to sound local, they are also trying to sound 'generic' so everyone can use the same thing.

RadioNate,
Thanks for your insight into this process! It was interesting to learn how many steps there are and how long it takes even when things go smoothly.

The local radio station here in MN is also doing this promo, but they do say "be the 100th NATIONWIDE caller". I actually got through one day, and was disappointed to here "Sorry you are not the correct number caller" They didn't specifically tell me what number I actually was. I continued to hit redial, but how long does it actually take to get 100 calls?

Corrine,
I called in for a local contest here in Chicago for a ticket package to see some 80's band a couple of years ago (Journey? Styx? I don't remember anymore ) and they were looking for the 100th caller.

I was caller 99. But I remember it took a lot longer than I thought it would to get to 100 calls. I want to say it was at least 20 minutes. Now maybe that was because it really was a local contest for a local concert and they don't have that many phone lines.

Maybe since this is a nationwide contest they have more lines/more staff to answer or maybe it's automated up to caller 99 so it might go faster. But I would imagine a lot of people might give up too early thinking they've already hit 100 callers.

 

[Christine]

it's wrong of the station not to make it clear that it's a national contest though!

Oh, I'm sure they did what they were supposed to do, they just did not make a big deal out of it and I'm sure I missed it. Sort of like needing to read the fine print, you know?

 

[RadioNate]

The local radio station here in MN is also doing this promo, but they do say "be the 100th NATIONWIDE caller". I actually got through one day, and was disappointed to here "Sorry you are not the correct number caller" They didn't specifically tell me what number I actually was. I continued to hit redial, but how long does it actually take to get 100 calls?

DH says that it only takes about 5 minutes to get to caller 100 but takes another 10-15 to verify their info and eligibility.

He also confirmed that all the promos say 'nationwide.'

 

[momof2inPA]

One of our local Clear Channel stations is giving a Disney trip away on-line (it's probably the same national contest, so they will probably pick the winner from a national pool), but you just enter your e-mail address and phone number and they notify you by phone/e-mail. I don't think I would listen for the Yetti and wait to call. You do have to be in the local listening area for this contest.

 

[Christine]

Well, I think it must be overwith. I have heard no mention of it this morning. But, they usually don't get started until 10:00 a.m.

 

[Christine]

Well, they're still giving away the trips. Just heard the "shrieking" from the first winner of today. Hmmm...I never heard the Yeti call.

 

[corie161]

Yes, it's still going on, I just heard the advertisement to listen for the yetti.

I do beleive there are several winners, not just one out of the pool.

 

[Poohnatic]

Oh, I'm sure they did what they were supposed to do, they just did not make a big deal out of it and I'm sure I missed it. Sort of like needing to read the fine print, you know?

I noticed that with the Frederick country station. They'd avoid the NATIONAL caller thing for about 3/4 of their promos, then they'd play the 'disclosure promo' at 9:30-10 at night, when most daytime listeners weren't listening. I've worked in radio before, and other than the NY metro area, if I heard anything higher than 15th caller, it was a good bet it wasn't local. The radio stations I've worked at had 3-5 lines-100 calls would take forever (and the sales staff would gripe if we took their ability to make sales calls!)

Suzanne

 

[mom2boys]

I noticed that with the Frederick country station. They'd avoid the NATIONAL caller thing for about 3/4 of their promos, then they'd play the 'disclosure promo' at 9:30-10 at night, when most daytime listeners weren't listening. I've worked in radio before, and other than the NY metro area, if I heard anything higher than 15th caller, it was a good bet it wasn't local. The radio stations I've worked at had 3-5 lines-100 calls would take forever (and the sales staff would gripe if we took their ability to make sales calls!)

Suzanne

I wasn't even sure the Frederick station was participating. I knew DC was & some station out of WV - the only stations last week's rental car would pick up were from WV.

BTW - What exactly does a Yetti sound like? They aren't native to this area.

 

[Disneyorl]

I have been trying to win thru our local radio station (clear channel stations) too! The contest started last week on Monday, February 28 in our area. Never know if you could win so I try!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Why whine about the parameters for getting something for nothing--except the effort to make the calls? Hang up the phone, or turn off the radio.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

AAARRRGHH! I was JUST telling DH this EXACT thing last night!

Mix 102.9 is giving away trips to Disney. They are a Clear Channel affiliate. They always say the NAME of the winner, but not the location. And if you listen VERY carefully in one of the promos it says "just be the 100th nationwide caller to 866-525-WINS". So I have been wondering just how many of these winners are even in Texas?

I have the number programmed into my cell phone. They tend to announce "Call NOW" when I have just dropped the kids at preschool, so I sit in the parking lot and dial, redial, redial, redial.... No luck. But at least I am not the only one really frustrated with it!

 

[Christine]

Why whine about the parameters for getting something for nothing--except the effort to make the calls? Hang up the phone, or turn off the radio.

The parameters don't bother me. If you go back and read my OP you will see that I felt "hoodwinked" for a moment. I *thought* it was a local contest and didn't realize I was competing with the entire USA!! That's all. I don't mind making the calls (well, not too much anyway).

 

[DisneyForLife]

A friend won on the Boston channel. It is a week at disney, hotel, park tickets, spending money and 4 round trip airline tickets. The killer is you have to go in August. It is valued at 4700.00, not bad. She is a very lucky person, we went on the Disney cruise not too long ago and she won 10,000.00 on a lottery ticket the day before we left. She also won a lottery type contest for a below market valued condo.
I have nooooooooooo luck whatsoever, and none of hers has rubbed off on me.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Well, we are already going in August! If I won an August trip then we could save our money and go again as soon as DH got his vacation schedule for 2007! But I have never won ANYTHING, so I can't imagine the first thing
I win will be a trip to Disney!

DS is the lucky one. He wins raffles, he won a Nickelodeon bag from a box of mac & cheese, maybe I should make him hold the phone next time!