WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - July 15, 2010) - Some of the Internet's biggest names are lending a hand to "America's Got Net," offering up their expertise as celebrity judges for the 2010 user-generated video contest. The growing list of judges includes: Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist; Susan Crawford, former Special Assistant for Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy for the Obama Administration; Jolie O'Dell of Mashable; and Personal Democracy Forum founders Andrew Rasiej and Micah Sifry.
The nationwide contest is seeking small businesses, non-profits and individuals to create short videos to tell policymakers in Washington, currently faced with some of the most important decisions on the future of the Internet, what the open Internet means to them and why it must be protected.
"The open Internet is everyone's printing press, a big deal in the evolution of democracy, and I really want to help promote democratic values," said Craig Newmark, founder of Internet sensation, Craigslist. "Everyone should take a look at this competition; it's about using the Internet to save the Internet."
The web all-stars will award winners in the following categories: best small business, best non-profit/charitable and best individual user.
Winners are eligible for prizes starting with a VIP trip to Washington to meet with key policymakers, a package of goodies that include an Amazon Kindle DX, Google Nexus One Phone, one year of Skype Unlimited World Calling, Slingbox PRO-HD, Sony bloggie; and small business and non-profit winners will win free advertising and event opportunities as well as the chance to be featured in an Open Internet Coalition ad campaign.
Contest Details:
"America's Got Net" is open to U.S.-based individuals, small businesses and non-profit/charitable organizations that demonstrate the benefits of the open Internet. Applications for the contest, which runs through August 15, 2010, are available online at www.youtube.com/americasgotnet2010
Finalists will be announced on September 13, 2010.
About the Open Internet Coalition: The Open Internet Coalition (www.openinternetcoalition.com) represents consumers, grassroots organizations, and businesses working in pursuit of a shared goal: keeping the Internet fast, open and accessible to all Americans.