2012 MFI Santa Barbara YouTube Contest

June 19, 2012 - PRLog -- 2012 MFI Santa Barbara YouTube Video Contest
Contest Showcases Santa Barbara’s Best YouTube Videographers

SANTA BARBARA, CA (June 19, 2012) Call it American Idol meets Santa Barbara YouTube Videos. The 2012 MFI Santa Barbara YouTube Video Contest runs from July 1 to July 31 and is open to Santa Barbara residents 14 years old and older. The contest offers cash prizes for 1st place in three categories and is designed to feature YouTube videos shot in Santa Barbara County.

Sponsored by Member Financial, Inc. (MFI), the contest will be held in a format similar to the hit television show American Idol. The overall theme is Santa Barbara and a panel of judges will screen the entries and choose a short list of up to 5 finalists in each category. From there, it’s up to the public to choose the winners by voting for their favorites videos via “likes” on Facebook.

The contest is free and the categories are: Best Cinematography, Most Creative  and Funniest Video. Cash prizes of $100 will go to each 1st place winner. Runners up and honorable mentions will be awarded certificates of merit.

The contest was inspired by shows like America’s Got Talent and American Idol but was given a decidedly local touch to make it more interesting for people in Santa Barbara.

“You only need to look at I Modonnari and the Summer Solstice Parade to see how many talented people are in Santa Barbara,” Member Financial CEO Chad Ratliffe said. “We thought it would be great fun to showcase local YouTube videos as well.”

To enter the contest, participants can review the rules and fill out an online entry form. Eligible videos must be created during the designated time period and posted on their YouTube channels. To submit an entry, a link to the YouTube video along with the contestant’s contest user name is emailed to the judging panel. The finalists will be featured on Facebook and online judging will open the last week of the contest and end at midnight July 31st. For complete rules and entry registration form, visit santabarbara.memberfinancial.com/youtubecontest.

About Member Financial
Member Financial, Inc., located in Santa Barbara, CA., is a registered Merchant Services Provider of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. of Walnut Creek, CA. MFI specializes in combining credit card processing services along with free marketing and social media programs to promote member businesses. For more information visit www.memberfinancial.com.

Media Contact:
Lance Vernstrom, Marcom Director
Member Financial, Inc.
5385 Hollister Ave. Bldg 8, Suite 211
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Ph: (805) 845-1300 ext. 17
lancev@memberfinancial.com
www.memberfinancial.com