BERGEN, Norway – A network that uses customized widgets to market content and move traffic is asking users to help it design new plug-in widgets. Participants who submit the best designs will earn bragging rights and part of $2,500 in cash.
A PlugRush representative said the company is proud of its new ad-creation tool, which allow publishers to design exactly the widgets they need. The Widget Creator offers several different templates as a starting point, but PlugRush wants more — hence the contest.
“Widgets offer a simple method for publishers to add revenue-generating ‘native ads’ to their websites,” said Thomas Skavhellen, chief brand officer for PlugRush. “We’ve offered widgets since 2007, but our Widget Creator tool is new. We want to encourage publishers to try out the Widget Creator for themselves and maybe win some money by helping us increase the number of interesting templates that are available to other publishers.”
PlugRush will judge templates on creativity, with extra consideration given to the templates that demonstrate new and creative ways to set up a widget zone that features native ads, formerly called “plugs.” Winners will be announced Oct. 1, with first place winning $1,000 USD, second place winning $500 USD, third place taking home $300 USD and fourth through 10th places winning $100 USD each. Publishers may submit multiple templates for additional chances to win.
“Be creative with your layouts, your colors and your fonts for the best chance to win,” Skavhellen said. “If you do win, we’ll list you on our PlugRush blog and we’ll also notify you of your glorious victory via email.”
Native ads consist of a thumbnail image, text title, a description and a URL. Widgets that feature native ads, as opposed to banner ads, can be successful at drawing clicks in ways that more traditional ads can’t replicate. Native ads more closely resemble content, so viewers are more comfortable clicking through to the advertiser’s website. Because each widget can offer multiple native ads to present viewers with a variety of clickable options, PlugRush widgets can be an effective tool for sending targeted visitors to advertisers.
To submit templates for consideration, visit Enter.PlugRush.com. You’ll need to submit your email address, PlugRush username and widget-ID.
For more information, visit Contest.PlugRush.com.
