Preparedness Stories Contest Official Rules

Important: Please read these Official Rules before entering this Contest (the “Contest”).

By participating in this Contest, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and represent that you satisfy all of the eligibility requirements below. 

 

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER THIS CONTEST.

Contest void where prohibited by law. Subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws.  

1. Eligibility: The Contest is open only to legal residents of the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia (Alaska and Hawaii residents are excluded) who are at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence, whichever is older) at the time of entry. Directors, officers, members, managers, and employees of Emergency Essentials Holdings, LLC (“Sponsor”), SSA Communications, Inc., and any of their respective parent companies, affiliate companies, subsidiaries, agents, professional advisors, advertising, promotional, public relations, and fulfillment agencies, consultants, legal counsel, website providers, web masters, and immediate family members (spouses, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and “step” child, wherever they may live) of each are not eligible to win any prize. IF YOU DO NOT MEET ANY OF THESE REQUIREMENTS, OR ANY OTHER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS IN THESE OFFICIAL RULES, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO WIN A PRIZE. To be eligible to win a prize, entries must be completed and received by Sponsor in the manner and format designated below.

2. Contest Period: The Contest starts at 12:01 a.m. Mountain Time (“MT”) on May 15, 2020 and ends at 11:59 p.m. MT on September 30, 2020 (the “Contest Period”). Except as otherwise stated below for mail-in entries, all entries must be received during the Contest Period and meet other requirements in these Official Rules to be eligible to win a prize. For clarity, and as discussed further in Sections 3 and 5 below, there will be five monthly contest periods (each a “Monthly Contest Period”) during the Contest Period, i.e., one for May, June, July, August, and September during the Contest Period.  The winner of the applicable Monthly Contest Period will be determined by 10 days after the start of the following month, and eligible entries not selected as the winner of a Monthly Contest Period will still be eligible to win during the next Monthly Contest Period.  Sponsor’s or its designee’s computer is the official time-keeping device for the Contest.  A schedule for each Monthly Contest Period is shown in Section 5 below.

3. Contest Promotion: Sponsor releases Facebook, Inc. (including Instagram) and Twitter, Inc. from the Preparedness Stories Content. The Preparedness Stories Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook, Inc. (including Instagram) or Twitter, Inc.

4. How to Enter: To enter, complete the steps as instructed for any one of the following methods of entry during the Contest Period:

a. Online Video Entry: (i) create a video of up to 10 minutes in length (and no more than 250 MB in file size) showing yourself discussing practical emergency preparedness; (ii) visit www.prepstories.com and follow the instructions to enter the Contest, including by uploading your video into the online entry form and providing all required information to complete and submit the online entry form;

b. Online Essay Entry: (i) write an essay of up to 600 words about practical emergency preparedness; (ii) visit www.prepstories.com and follow the instructions to enter the Contest, including by typing your essay into the online entry form and providing all required information to complete and submit the online entry form; or

c. Mail-In Essay Entry: (i) write an essay of up to 600 words about practical emergency preparedness; and (ii) mail your essay along with your name and email address or phone number (whichever is your preferred contact method) with a note saying “I agree to the Official Rules” to com, 4325 W Commercial Way Ste D, Salt Lake City, UT 84104, Attn: Prep Stories. Mail-in entries must be postmarked by the last day of each Monthly Contest Period and received no later than seven days after such Monthly Contest Period to be considered for entry to that Monthly Contest Period. For example, a mail-in entry for May 2020 must be postmarked by May 31, 2020 and received by Sponsor by June 7, 2020 to be considered for the May Monthly Contest Period.

By submitting an entry as instructed through any of the above methods (“Submission”), you agree that your Submission conforms to the Guidelines and Restrictions detailed below. Sponsor may choose to remove any Submission or disqualify you from the Contest if it believes that your Submission fails to conform with the Guidelines and Restrictions. Upon completion of entry steps and compliance with the Guidelines and Restrictions, you will automatically receive one entry into the Contest. 

Limit: ONE ENTRY PER PERSON DURING ENTIRE CONTEST PERIOD, REGARDLESS OF METHOD OF ENTRY.  Any attempt to obtain additional entries, including through multiple or duplicate accounts will result in disqualification.  For clarity, entrants are not allowed or required to submit new entries for each Monthly Contest Period, as Submissions will automatically carry over to any following Monthly Contest Period.

Submission Guidelines and Restrictions:

a. Your Submission must not supply untruthful, incomplete, inaccurate or misleading information.

b. Your Submission must be your original creation and be owned 100% by you, or, alternatively, you must have the full rights to grant the license and other rights that you grant to Sponsor in Section 10 below. You must not use any third-party copyrighted content, including music, photos, or brand logos in your Submission

c. Your Submission must not (in Sponsor’s discretion): (i) violate any third-party rights, including copyrights, trademark rights, or rights of privacy and publicity; (ii) contain disparaging or defamatory statements; (iii) include threats to any person, place, business, or group; (iv) be obscene, offensive, or indecent; (v) depict any risky behavior; (vi) contain material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age; and/or (vii) contain unauthorized third-party trademarks or logos.

d. You represent and warrant that: (i) the Submission does not violate any applicable law, rule or regulation; (ii) to the extent the Submission depicts any individual or features the voice or other qualities of any individual, you are the individual pictured, heard, or otherwise featured in the Submission, or, alternatively, that you have obtained written permission from each person appearing in the entry to grant the rights to Sponsor described in these Official Rules, and will make written copies of such permissions available to Sponsor upon request; (iii) the Submission complies with the beprepared.com terms of use, conditions, and policies; and (iv) the Submission complies with all requirements of these Official Rules.

If participating in this Contest via your mobile device (which service may only be available via select devices and participating wireless carriers, and is not required to enter), you may be charged for standard data use from your mobile device according to the terms in your wireless service provider’s data plan. Normal airtime and carrier charges and other charges may apply to data use and will be billed on your wireless device bill or deducted from your pre-paid balance. Wireless carrier rates vary, so you should contact your wireless carrier for information on your specific data plan.

5. Identity of Entrant: All Submissions must be submitted by the individual entrant. Bulk or automated entries will be disqualified (including entries made using any script, macro, bot, or promotional service). Multiple participants are not permitted to share the same email account. Any attempt to obtain additional entries through fraud or other illegitimate means will result in disqualification, at Sponsor’s discretion.

If there is a dispute about the identity of the entrant for mail-in entries, entries will be declared made by the individual whose name is included with the Submission.  In the event of a dispute about the identity of the entrant for online entries, entries will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the email address associated with the Submission. An “authorized account holder” means the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. Each potential winner may be required to provide Sponsor with proof that the potential winner is the individual whose name was included with the winning entry or the authorized account holder of the email account associated with the winning entry.

6. Selection and Notification of Winner: On or about each judging date listed in the table below (each a “Judging Date”), each eligible Submission that has not yet been judged in the Contest will scored by a panel of judges (selected at Sponsor’s discretion) based on the below criteria (“Judging Criteria”):

Monthly Contest Period

Submission Deadline

Judging Date

May

5/31/20 at 11:59:59 pm MT

6/10/20

June

6/30/20 at 11:59:59 pm MT

7/10/20

July

7/31/20 at 11:59:59 pm MT

8/10/20

August

8/31/20 at 11:59:59 pm MT

9/10/20

September

9/30/20 at 11:59:59 pm MT

10/10/20

 

Judging Criteria:

1) Consistency of Submission with contest theme of practical emergency preparedness;

2) How compelling is the Submission; and

3) Clarity and organization of the Submission.

Each Judging Category is worth a maximum score of 100 points.  The Judges will then add up the score received in each Judging Category for each Submission to determine the total Judge’s Score (“Judge’s Score”) for such Submission.  By way of example, the maximum Judge’s Score that may be awarded to a Submission is 300 points.

At the end of each Judging Date, the top scoring Submission from among all eligible Submissions received by Sponsor as of the Judging Date (excluding Submissions that have already been selected as a winner for a previous Monthly Contest Period) will be deemed that Monthly Contest Period’s potential winner. The potential Monthly Contest Period winner whose Submission received the highest Judge’s Score as of October 10, 2020 will also be deemed the potential grand prize winner.  In the unlikely event of a tie, the winner will be determined by the Submission’s score in the following criteria: Consistency of Submission with contest theme of practical emergency preparedness. Odds of winning a prize depend on number and quality of eligible entries received.

Each potential Monthly Contest Period winner will be notified via the email or phone number included with their Submission on or about the Judging Date for the Monthly Contest Period they potentially won.  The potential grand prize winner will be notified via the email or phone number included with their Submission on or about October 10, 2020. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Sponsor may require each potential winner to sign and return, within seven days of being notified, an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release in order to claim his/her prize. If (i) the potential winner does not respond to the attempted notification within seven days; (ii) the attempted notification is returned as undeliverable without a forwarding address; (iii) any required documents are not returned within seven days, such as the Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release; or (iv) if potential winner is otherwise unable to accept the prize as stated, the prize will be forfeited and will be awarded to an alternate winner in accordance with the Judging Criteria. If, by reason of a print or other error, more prizes are claimed than the number set forth in these Official Rules, the prize(s) will be awarded to the person with the highest scoring Submission in accordance with the above Judging Criteria from among all eligible claimants making purportedly valid claims to award the prizes available.

Verification of Potential Winner: EACH POTENTIAL WINNER IS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY SPONSOR, WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CONTEST. AN ENTRANT IS NOT A PRIZE WINNER UNLESS AND UNTIL ENTRANT’S ELIGIBILITY HAS BEEN VERIFIED AND ENTRANT HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT VERIFICATION IS COMPLETE AND NO FURTHER ACTION IS NEEDED.

7. Prize: Five Monthly Contest Period winners will each receive (i) one Emergency Essentials 1-Month Emergency Food Kit (Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $229). One Grand Prize winner from among the Monthly Contest Period winners will receive one Emergency Essentials 3-Month Emergency Food Kit (ARV: $675). Total ARV of all prizes to be awarded: $1,820.

Prize Restrictions: ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECEIPT OR USE OF ANY PRIZE ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER. Prizes are not transferable. No substitutions or exchanges of any prize (including for cash) will be permitted, except that Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater value for any prize. Sponsor will not replace any lost or stolen prizes or prize components. Only the number of prizes stated in these Official Rules are available to be won in the Contest.

Except for applicable manufacturer’s standard warranties, the prizes are awarded “AS IS” and WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, express or implied (including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose). 

8. Disclaimer: Sponsor, SSA Communications, Inc., and any of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, professional advisors, consultants, contractors, legal counsel, public relations firms, employees and advertising, fulfillment and marketing agencies (collectively, the “Released Parties”) will not be responsible for: (a) any late, lost, misrouted, garbled or distorted or damaged transmissions or entries; (b) phone, electronic, hardware, software, network, Internet, or other computer or communications-related malfunctions or failures beyond Sponsor or the Released Parties’ reasonable control; (c) any Contest disruptions, injuries, losses or damages caused by events beyond the reasonable control of Sponsor or the Released Parties by non-authorized human intervention; or (d) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the Contest.

9. Limitations of Liability; Releases: By entering the Contest, you release Sponsor and all Released Parties from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses, or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the Contest or delivery, misdelivery, acceptance, possession, use of or inability to use any prize (including claims, costs, injuries, losses and damages related to rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light, whether intentional or unintentional), whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty or other theory.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL THE SPONSOR OR THE RELEASED PARTIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF PROFITS OR LOSS OF DATA, WHETHER IN AN ACTION IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST OR USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY EQUIPMENT PROVIDED FOR USE IN THE CONTEST OR ANY PRIZE, EVEN IF A RELEASED PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. 

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF THE RELEASED PARTIES (JOINTLY) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST OR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE ANY EQUIPMENT PROVIDED FOR USE IN THE CONTEST OR ANY PRIZE EXCEED $10. THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION WILL NOT EXCLUDE OR LIMIT LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE CAUSED BY PRODUCTS RENTED FROM THE SPONSOR, OR FOR THE RELEASED PARTIES’ GROSS NEGLIGENCE, INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT, OR FOR FRAUD.

10. Use of Name, Likeness, etc.: To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, entry into the Contest constitutes permission to use your name, hometown, aural and visual likeness and prize information for advertising, marketing, and promotional purposes without further permission or compensation (including in a public-facing winner list). As a condition of being awarded any prize, except where prohibited by law, winner may be required to execute a consent to the use of their name, hometown, aural and visual likeness and prize information for advertising, marketing, and promotional purposes without further permission or compensation. By entering this Contest, you consent to being contacted by Sponsor for any purpose in connection with this Contest.

11. License to Submission: By entering the Contest and providing your Submission in connection with the Contest, you hereby grant to Sponsor a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide, nonexclusive license to publish, reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt, edit, modify, translate, create derivative works based upon, and otherwise use and sublicense your Submission, or any portion thereof (including your name, hometown, and aural and visual likeness as shown and conveyed in the Submission), in connection with the Contest and for other advertising, marketing, and promotional purposes, and to incorporate Submissions, in whole or in part, into other works in any manner, form, media or technology now known or later developed. Sponsor will have no obligation to publish or use or retain any Submission you submit or to return any such Submission to you. You agree that it is your sole responsibility to obtain all permissions and releases necessary for the grant of the rights contained in this paragraph. You agree to take, at Sponsor's expense, any further action (including execution of affidavits, tax forms, and other documents) reasonably requested by Sponsor to effect, perfect or confirm Sponsor's rights as set forth above in this paragraph. You will not be entitled to compensation for any use by Sponsor, or its agents, licensees or assignees, of your Submission.

12. Privacy: See Sponsor’s Privacy Policy at https://beprepared.com/pages/privacy-policy.

13. Winner List; Rules Request: For a copy of the winner list, send a stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope for arrival after October 15, 2020 and before October 15, 2021 to Emergency Essentials Holdings, LLC, 4325 W Commercial Way Ste D, Salt Lake City, UT 84104, Attn: EMERGENCY ESSENTIALS PREPAREDNESS STORIES CONTEST. To obtain a copy of these Official Rules, visit https://beprepared.com/pages/prep-stories-contest-rules or send a stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope to Emergency Essentials Holdings, LLC, 4325 W Commercial Way Ste D, Salt Lake City, UT 84104, Attn: EMERGENCY ESSENTIALS PREPAREDNESS STORIES CONTEST. VT residents may omit return postage.

14. Intellectual Property Notice: EMERGENCY ESSENTIALS and BE PREPARED are trademarks of Emergency Essentials Holdings, LLC. The Contest and all accompanying materials are copyright © 2020 by Emergency Essentials Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved.

15. Disputes: EACH ENTRANT AGREES THAT ANY DISPUTES, CLAIMS, AND CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THIS CONTEST OR ANY PRIZE AWARDED WILL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION, AND EXCLUSIVELY BY THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF UTAH OR THE APPROPRIATE STATE COURT LOCATED IN DAVIS COUNTY, UTAH. THESE OFFICIAL RULES ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF UTAH, WITHOUT REGARD TO CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES. YOU WAIVE ANY AND ALL OBJECTIONS TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE IN THESE COURTS AND HEREBY SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS.

16. General Conditions: Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects. Sponsor reserves the right to change these Official Rules at any time, in its discretion, and to modify, suspend, or cancel the Contest or any entrant's participation in the Contest should viruses, bugs, unauthorized human intervention or other causes beyond Sponsor's reasonable control affect the administration, security or proper play of the Contest, or Sponsor otherwise becomes (in its discretion) incapable of running the Contest as planned. Entrants who violate these Official Rules, violate any law, rule or regulation in connection with participation in the Contest, tamper with the operation of the Contest or engage in any conduct that is detrimental or unfair to Sponsor, the Contest or any other entrant (as determined in Sponsor's discretion) are subject to disqualification from the Contest. Sponsor reserves the right to lock out persons whose eligibility is in question or who have been disqualified or are otherwise ineligible to enter the Contest. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entries received that contain inappropriate or offensive content. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules will not constitute a waiver of that provision. Any provision of these Official Rules deemed unenforceable will be enforced to the extent permissible, and the remainder of these Official Rules will remain in effect. The use of the terms “include” or “including” in these Official Rules is illustrative and not limiting.

17. Sponsor: Emergency Essentials Holdings, LLC, 4325 W Commercial Way Ste D, Salt Lake City, UT 84104.