Got a Good Idea? Pepsi Is Paying for Them

In mid-January applicants that Pepsi deems to “make us think, inspire us and ignite participation” will vie for millions of dollars in prize money through the Pepsi Refresh Project. Here’s what kinds of ideas will have a chance at winning.

According to an advisory that Pepsi sent us:

“The action starts on Jan. 13, when applicants will have 10 days to submit their ideas via refresheverything.com. The concept is powerful: Pepsi is seeking ideas that make us think, inspire us and ignite participation; ideas that make good things better or improve situations; ideas that refresh. The process is simple. Individuals pitch a plan. The public votes. The top projects win. And this process repeats itself every month for 10 months.”

The Pepsi Refresh Project will award $5,000, $25,000, $50,000 and $250,000 to individuals and organizations that turn good ideas into projects that make a difference. The grant categories will be:

• Health
• Arts & Culture
• Food & Shelter
• The Planet
• Neighborhoods
• Education

Toolkits with tips on how to develop a grant application go live Dec. 23 at the refresheverything.com site. The first wave of applications for the program will be accepted Jan. 13-23. The first voting period opens Feb. 1.

The Pepsi Refresh Project takes the place of other large-scale marketing and advertising programs that the company is shelving. For example, it will not advertise during the Super Bowl, marking the first time it hasn’t in may years.

Source : GigaOM, 17/12/09