Tag Archives: Mary Worland

Why does your contest need Integrated Judging?

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IntegratedWell, it made Thompson Writing’s list of overused business buzzwords – Integrated. You know it’s an important concept but when it comes to an online contest platform, what does it really mean? It depends on who you ask.

One of the BetterBNC features that administrators most appreciate is the platform’s Integrated Judging. For BetterBNC, integration means that the elements of the platform are linked and coordinated. For example, our contest administrators are always able to see real-time judging updates and judging reports are easily generated and exported on demand.

As administrator, you manage the judging assignments and monitor progress from your dashboard. Want to see how judging is progressing? Simply pull up a table that displays judging progress in real-time.

When judging has been completed, easily view comprehensive results in tables or export judging reports in various styles and formats.

Integrated judging is earning high marks from BetterBNC contest administrators and judges alike.

Mary Worland with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters appreciates how easy it is for all involved saying, “It’s so user-friendly, just drag and drop, and it’s also so much easier to download and export reports for ourselves and the auditors.”  

Jack Dvorak from the Bloomington Press Club used BetterBNC to judge a contest and told us, “I have used the program as a judge and find it easy to use, efficient and effective.”

Want a better look at the platform and its Integrated Judging? Schedule a complimentary demo today to learn about our latest features.  Email karen@smalltownpapers.com or call our office in Washington state at 360.427.6300.

BetterBNC & Large Video and Audio File Contest Entries

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logo-300As our number of broadcast customers grows, we’re often asked about how the BetterBNC platform handles large audio and video file entries.  Organizations looking for an online contest platform want to ensure an easy experience for entrants and judges and that leads to questions about encoding video, standard video resolution vs HiDef, audio bit rates, target file sizes, encoding tools, accepted file formats, video containers and codecs…well, you get the picture.

Because technology in the broadcast industry changes so rapidly and to ensure the smoothest experience for everyone involved, BetterBNC does not require uploads but rather allows entrants to simply link to their entries which can be on their station’s server or on any one of a number of online sites such as YouTube, Vimeo and Tindeck.

The result is significant time savings:

  • for entrants, they spend less time contest entries and they don’t have to worry about seeing the dreaded “failure to upload” message.
  • for judges, linking to audio and video files delivers an easier experience allowing them to view the entries from any device without worrying about whether they have the appropriate readers to view or listen to the material they’re responsible for evaluating.
  • for contest administrators, there are fewer calls and emails with questions about file uploads.

For administrators responsible for creating a video of winning high definition entries for the awards presentation event, there are a number of options.  Mary Worland with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters tells us the MAB uses an FTP site for the winning entries.  “We let our entrants know at the time of entry that if they should win, they will have 7 days to submit a 30 second high def clip of the winning entry to an FTP site that we will send to the entrant at the time we notify them of the winning entries. This system has worked really well for us and seems to be favored by our members,” explains Worland.

Want to learn more about how BetterBNC can help your broadcast contest?  Contact us today to schedule a complimentary demo.

Broadcast Orgs Turning to BetterBNC for their Awards Programs

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The BetterBNC online contest management platform is pleased to announce it is approaching the signing of its 40th broadcaster contest.  Increasingly, broadcast organizations are seeking online solutions for their awards programs which must accommodate the various digital video and audio files being used by television and radio stations today.

The BetterBNC platform, used by nearly 200 news media awards programs across the country today, is becoming the preferred platform for broadcast organizations since it was designed and built specifically to address the unique needs of print and broadcast journalism contests.

MABLogoFor broadcaster awards programs, BetterBNC transforms the contest experience by saving time for all involved.   “It cuts down the upload time on the television side of things, the time it takes a station to enter and also for judging,” explains Mary Worland, the Awards and Projects Coordinator for the Michigan Association of Broadcasters which this year presents its third BetterBNC contest. “Rather than waiting to download, [judges] just click a link to view.  It’s so user-friendly, just drag and drop, and it’s also so much easier to download and export reports for ourselves and the auditors.”

Rather than shipping entries or uploading numerous pieces onto an awards program server, BetterBNC allows organizations to simply link to their broadcast entries which can be on a station’s website or published on sites including YouTube, Vimeo and Tindeck.  This reduces issues resulting from an increasing number of different file formats or slow server speeds and it is improving experience for judges who are now able to more easily view and evaluate entries online.

Launched in 2007, BetterBNC offers media organizations an online and fully integrated contest for entries, judging and administration.  The robust platform includes features designed to ensure contest security and integrity such as a fully auditable record of activity.  The platform allows for easy admin report generation, offers a suite of customization options and full tech support is included at no additional charge.

BetterBNC is committed to ongoing improvements and regularly adds new features, many of which are recommended by its Admin Advisory Group comprised of ten representatives from media organizations currently using the platform.  Program updates address new technologies and the evolution of the media industry.  Recent additions allow contests to accept PayPal for entry fees or open contests to freelance on-air talent, reporters and photographers.

Broadcast organizations can visit www.BetterBNC.com for more information or email carter@smalltownpapers.com to schedule a complimentary demo.