If you live anywhere else in the world, e-mail us and let us know who you are, where you go to school, and that you would like to have a Courageous Persuaders competition in your area. E-mail: katherinemaggi@MSN.COM,courage@mccann.com

Employees of McCann Erickson, subsidiaries and affiliated companies, and their immediate families are not eligible to enter this competition.

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP MONEY:  $9,000

The grand prize-winning commercial will be broadcast on television and the team that created it will work with McCann Erickson to upgrade the commercial for air. The top four prize-winning teams will receive Courage Trophies, Award Certificates and Scholarship Money. The total amount of each scholarship will be distributed among the members of the winning team.

Grand Prize	$3,000
1st Place	$1,500
2nd Place	$1,000
3rd Place	$500

• $2,000 ADCRAFTER SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
  Contributed by the Adcraft Club of Detroit for educating students about the dangers of alcohol by increasing the understanding and awareness of the facts.
  Click for more information.
  
  
• $1,000 USA TODAY SCHOLARSHIP
  Contributed by USA Today, The Nations Newspaper. Winner will be chosen from among the most creative and persuasive commercials submitted in the Courageous Persuaders competition.
  Click for more information.

  If you wish to contribute to the Michigan scholarship fund or start one in your own state, send your check or money order to:

  Courageous Persuaders
  520 West Big Beaver Road
  Troy, Michigan 48084

IMPORTANT

Since winning commercials will appear on commercial television and select scenes may be featured in magazine advertising or other promotional material, you must have everyone identifiable by voice or face in your commercial sign simple release forms.

• Enclose the release forms with your submission.
• Make sure a parent or legal guardian signs too, if you or any other team members are under 18 years old.
• Print one form for every person in your commercial.Click here for talent release form.

Also: Do not use any published music without permission of owners.

• If you have secured permission, please enclose with submission.
• You are welcome to use our special Courageous Persuaders Royalty-Free Music, available exclusively to students producing commercials for this competition.
  • On your submission, you must identify the music as "Courageous Persuaders Royalty Free Music" and specify the track number you used.
  • Explore this incredible searchable music collection from Yessian Music, one of the world's leading music companies, now:
      Courageous Persuaders Royalty-Free Music

TO QUALIFY:

• Your commercial must be 30 seconds long or less on DVD or VHS tape – no CDs or 8mm cassettes.
• No alcohol can be consumed during the making of your commercial.
• You may dramatize the drinking of alcohol if you use a non-alcoholic beverage and cut the scene when the bottle reaches the lips of the actor. Nothing can be drunk.
• All real alcohol brand names must be removed from bottles.
• Commercials that contain dangerous stunts or unsafe driving will be disqualified.
• Commercials that contain vomiting or toilet scenes will be disqualified.
• Avoid company or university logos, trademarks or art, including those on shirts, hats and other clothing.
• Do not show any phone numbers or Web site addresses except CourageFirst.com.
• Commercials must be acceptable for airing by commercial television stations, so avoid vulgar language and graphic blood and guts shockers.
• Do not use any published photographs or film footage without permission from the owner. Photos that appear on the Internet and in magazines usually have copyrights. All movie and TV footage is protected. News photos and footage are also protected.
• All entries must include signed talent releases for all on-camera and voice-over actors. (See "IMPORTANT" below for simple release form.)