I really wish I had a short answer for you, but this one is going to take a few sentences. Sorry.

The Beer industry is one of the most heavily regulated and scrutinized industries in the U.S., second only to pharmaceuticals. As a result, our friends at Anheuser-Busch must review each submission carefully before it can be shown anywhere, even in our Gallery. In addition to copyright issues, there are the challenges with having approved, checked out releases; actors that are 25+ years of age; directors that are at least 21 years of age; nothing that can be construed as inappropriate drinking practices; and more.

Add to that the extremely large number of submissions, and the fact that the largest number of those submissions came in on the last two days, and you can see the challenge facing A-B.

Rest assured that every single commercial that has been submitted is being reviewed and evaluated for potential purchase by Bud Light’s legal and brand team. They have completed the purchase process for one, and are reviewing releases on a second purchase, and have a potential list of nearly ten spots that could make it as assignment winners.

Typically, we like to have all our submissions on display during a program, but the upside potential for all of us in appreciating A-B’s concerns and issues huge. Potentially, we can be providing creative support for any number of A-B brands over the coming months. So while I understand your desire to see your work posted, we all need to recognize what’s most important … that a top US brand is buying our creative and probably will do more work with us in the future.

Heads up, everyone! We’ve just added a new Frequently Asked Questions Section for all things XLNTads. If you have a question, check out the FAQ or use the search field on the right sidebar. If you have any suggestions for making it better or you have pressing questions that we haven’t addressed, please feel free to email me - mark [at] xlntads [dot] com. I’ll add it.

Here’s that link to the FAQ Section again.

Thanks!

Tags: xlntads, faq

Click any of the links below to read the answer. Or click HERE to see the whole list in expanded view.

• Who selects the winners? When are they announced?
• Can I enter more than one video per assignment?
• How do I participate in an assignment?
• I uploaded my video, but I don’t see it on the site. What gives?
• How can I keep up with news about assignment winners, new features, etc.?
• What file types can I upload? What are the specs that look best?
• Now that my video is done, how do I submit the other materials?
• Where can I find music for my commercial?
• Where do I download the release forms? Do I have to submit them now?
• How do I get paid?
• Do you have in-house paid work for me?
• I don’t understand the Creative Brief, can you enlighten me?
• Do you have additional images and other assets besides the ones in the asset tray?
• What tips do you have that can help me win?
• Does this assignment give away free schwag?
• Will you make me famous?

The Brands or Sponsors select the winners. They use their own internal criteria, all based around the execution of the creative brief. In some instances, XLNTads will run its own contests to develop sample ads. In these instances, XLNTads editorial team will select the winners.

The winner announcement usually happens around 10-14 days after the assignment concludes. We apologize for the varying lengths of time, but we are at the whim of our clients’ time table. Please be patient. We won’t forget about you!

The winners are announced on our blog, so we recommend you subscribe to the free email alerts from the blog.

Absolutely. The more the merrier.

You can enter any and all assignments on XLNTads, and you can usually submit more than one entry to an assignment. Check the rules as specified in the Ad Maker agreement for specifics on the number of submissions allowed for any particular assignment.

Click the button on the assignment page of your choice that says, “Register and Enter Now” or “Enter Now” (depending on if you’re already logged in or not). When you do that, you’ll be asked to agree to some Terms & Conditions, then a box will appear underneath which will contain the links to download brand assets you might use in your video, including a Creative Brief detailing exactly what we’re looking for.

When you upload a video to XLNTads, we take some time to personally watch and review each one of them. When we’ve watched it, and we’re sure it’s not inappropriate, yucky or too strange, we make it go live. In some instances, the sponsoring brands want to see the work before it gets posted, so that could add a little extra time before your video goes live. They just want to get an advanced look at your work.

Also, make sure you give our servers time to transcode the videos. That could take up to a few hours on a slow day. If we notice any problems with your upload, we’ll get in touch.

Head on over to our blog and click on one of the options for subscribing. We always announce news, big and small, on our blog. Sometimes, we email news and notes to the address we have on file for you. Make sure our emails aren’t going to your spam folder! You can do this by adding us to your Address Book.

You can upload pretty much any file type - .mov .mp4 .wmv - to name some of the biggies. And what kind of specs are we looking for? Typically the best compression for our site is .mov or .mp4 using the H.264 codec, in 640 X 480 pixels, optimized for broadband streaming. Freevlog provides some really awesome video and compression tutorials here.

For release forms, you should download them, sign them, and fax, scan and email, or snail-mail them back to us.

For any other document that doesn’t require a signature, just email them to us.

Here’s our contact info:

FAX: 610-832-1166
Email: info [at] xlntads [dot] com
Mail: XLNTads 625 Ridge Pike, Conshohocken, PA 19428

Our assignments don’t include music to use in your clips, but there are several ways to get music on your own. One way is to Google ‘royalty-free music‘ and use one of the many services that come up. Better than that is to find some music from the Public Domain at sites like Archive.org or by Googling ‘public domain music‘. Best of all, of course, it to make your own! Several simple, fun tools exist for creating music on your computer one of the best of which is GarageBand for Apple.

The releases are found in the asset tray on each assignment’s landing page in a downloadable .zip file.

No, you don’t have to submit them now. You will need to have them signed and ready if and when your video is chosen for distribution. So, it’s up to you whether you print and fill them out now, during filming, or after you’ve uploaded your video. It’s always a wise move to have a stockpile of release forms around whenever you shoot. Going back and tracking down people is much harder than just having them signed and ready upfront.

To get the releases to us, the best way is to sign them, scan them in and email a .PDF version to us. If you don’t have a scanner, you can always fax them to: (610) 832-1166. Or, as a last resort, you can mail them to our offices.

Once your video has been chosen by the brand, you’ve been notified, and the winners list has been announced, we’ll get in touch with you to make sure we have your address right and then we cut you a check and put it in the mail! The whole process might take up to a couple weeks, so sit tight. If you’re worried we forgot about you, shoot one of Community Managers an email.

Maybe. We don’t have much in-house paid work, but when we do, we make a point of offering those assignments to our best creators who have proven themselves tried and true (in other words, you’re reliable, and your work is fabulous). You could be one of them! If you’d like to learn more about these opportunities, email one of our Community Managers, and they’ll be happy to tell you what’s available.

Yes! But first, be sure to read the Creative Brief carefully. Our clients outline exactly what they’re looking for in that document. If you’re still stumped, or if you’re confused on some of the points, email or IM one of our lovely community managers, and we’ll be happy to help you out!