PHILADELPHIA, April 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Blue Cross (Independence) today announced the winners of its consumer-focused video competition to raise awareness among the millennial generation of the deadline to enroll in a new health plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Neumann University student Kathleen Poliski, 21, is the grand prize winner of the competition for her humorous take on getting health care coverage in case of a spontaneous zombie attack. As the winner, Independence will award Poliski $10,000.
To enter "IBX 90 Seconds," participants submitted videos through IBX90Seconds.com or through Facebook from their PCs or mobile devices. The contest sought to engage the millennial generation — those individuals born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s — but was open to anyone age 18 and over who met the eligibility requirements. The contest kicked off on February 7 with a call for entries and concluded with winners selected on March 24. Submissions were available for voting from viewers across social media from March 10 thru March 24.
The "IBX 90 Seconds" competition was a call to action to show that everyone can benefit from having health insurance — no matter their age or health status. The initiative is just one of Independence's unique consumer education efforts that also include the Independence Express, a mobile retail experience that travels to community events equipped with health care experts, and a Countdown to Coverage enrollment event that the insurer hosted at its Market Street headquarters to help last-minute enrollees get health coverage.
In addition to grand prize winner Kathleen Poliski, one runner-up was selected in each of the following categories.
- Why My Friend Needs Insurance: Jelani Thomas, 27
- The Moment I Knew I Needed Health Insurance: Joe Radcliffe, 24
- A Parent's Wisdom on the Importance of Health Insurance: Daniel Lamoureux, 37
"The IBX 90 Seconds video competition was a huge success," said Brian Lobley, Independence senior vice president of marketing and consumer business. "Aspiring filmmakers and amateurs alike submitted compelling stories that are helping us raise awareness about why — even if you're young and healthy — it makes sense to enroll in a health care plan."
In conjunction with "IBX 90 Seconds," Independence partnered with colleges and universities across the region to educate students of the rapidly-approaching ACA deadline. Temple University was awarded the grand prize of $10,000 as the participating school in the contest with the most student and alumni video entry votes.
"Social media is the forum that students and other millennials are using to communicate," said Paula Sunshine, Independence vice president of sales and marketing, consumer business. "By using the channels that are already popular and well-trafficked, we were able to reach thousands of young people in our region who otherwise might not have considered enrolling in a health plan."
All of the finalists' videos are available for viewing at www.IBX90Seconds.com.
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve more than 8.2 million people in 24 states and the District of Columbia. For more than 75 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more about how we're changing the game, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.