Psoriasis Video Contest Finalists Named

Psoriasis Cure Now has selected the nine Finalists in the first-ever Psoriasis Video Contest. Each Finalist will receive $250, and one of these will win the Grand Prize of $7,500 to be awarded in a couple of weeks. You can watch all nine Finalists right here.



Before we pick the Grand Prize winner, we need YOUR advice about which video is best. Through October 31st, your comments here on the Psoriasis Cure Now website will be considered before we judge the videos one last time and select a single Grand Prize winner. This is a huge cash prize and we want to get it right. Remember what this contest is all about:

Prepare an original 30 to 60-second video that will educate the general public about the seriousness of psoriasis or the challenges people with psoriasis face. ... Videos will be judged as follows: 45% on overall effectiveness at conveying an important message to the public about psoriasis; 40% on how original and creative the presentation is; and 15% on how effectively and creatively the video includes reference(s) to Psoriasis Cure Now.

Your comments can be added below. Simply click on the "COMMENT" link and tell us which video should be the Grand Prize winner and why. (Note: we love all these videos, so if your comment is unduly negative about any of the Finalists, we will not post your comment. Constructive criticism is allowed, but better yet, focus on what is good about your favorite Finalist.)

If you prefer, you can click on the individual pages for each Finalist, and post your comments there:

Eric Hilliard - Your Attention Please
Jerry Jirka - Signs of Psoriasis
Mark Wehle - Psoriasis Cure Now contest entry
Preston Jones - Psoriasis Snubbed
Ed Dewke - Psoriasis-ED
Ned Barlas - Christina-Psoriasis PSA
Jason Forman - Psoriasis Cure Now PSA
Jennifer Fitzgerald - Psoriasis Cure Now!
Brendan Hayward - Psoriasis Emotional Cure


And one last thing. There were 50 other videos that we could not afford to give cash prizes to, including several EXCELLENT videos that we would have loved to honor. Click here to tell us which videos NOT selected as Finalists should have been!

Thanks for your help. Congratulations to all the Finalists, and good luck to all as we prepare for the Grand Prize selection.

UPDATE 10/24: Here is what some others are saying about the contest:

* Fox 5 in Washington DC did a wonderful segment on psoriasis and the video contest.

* ABC News Now with Dr. Tim Johnson did an excellent segment on psoriasis, Remicade and the video contest with Psoriasis Cure Now's president and another psoriasis patient.

* Noted social media strategy consultant B.L. Ochman wrote about the contest: "Psoriasis Cure Now, an organization that educates the public about the misunderstood autoimmune disease, psoriasis, is a perfect example of how social media has impacted every aspect of communication."

* Veteran nonprofit advocacy consultants Tom Belford and Roger Craver wrote: "People with a cause are people with passion. And guess what? They're pretty creative too ... as Psoriasis Cure Now has proven. ... Did PCN get their money's worth? Absolutely! ... Some of the videos might air as PSAs on television. Others will be screened for Congressional staff. Others will be used on their website and for online viral communications. ... This initiative is a winner in all respects. All the more impressive because we're not dealing with a 'hot headline' issue here."

* Lester Craft, veteran technology-business journalist, wrote: "In some past posts, I've asserted that the era of online video contests likely has peaked.... But I'm now thinking it's premature to write off contests. ... [T]he Psoriasis Cure Now organization, whose contest ... I first wrote about back in July, proves that these competitions know no bounds."

And The Hill newspaper, read in every Congressional office in Washington, DC, wrote: "Psoriasis Cure Now, an organization trying to convince lawmakers of the need for psoriasis research funding, is adding a dose of fun to a scaly, sometimes painful skin disease. It recently hosted a YouTube contest.... Help pick the $7,500 grand prize winner by visiting www.psoriasis-cure-now.org."

Thanks to all for your comments so far and keep them coming!