SavvyMom Media Inc., publisher of SavvyMom.ca and the bi-weekly newsletter SavvyMom Today, has launched the third edition of an annual contest that offers exposure, cash and marketing assistance to Canadian mothers with budding businesses.
The “Mom Entrepreneur Award” program launched Tuesday and continues until Sept. 14, after which one winning business will receive a $15,500 prize package. It includes $5,000 in cash, provided by SavvyMom.ca, as well as $10,500 in business support from productivity experts Clear Concept Inc., search engine optimization firm Eighty8Online and public relations agency Limelite PR.
The winner also receives coverage in Today’s Parent and a mentorship from last year’s winner Martha Scully, founder of B.C.-based CanadianSitter.ca, a company that helps Canadian parents connect with job-seeking babysitters, nannies and other caregivers.
As in previous years, the winner will be determined by online voting on the contest site MomEntrepreneurAward.com.
This year, however, SavvyMom.ca is also encouraging nominees and their supporters to build hype online through Facebook fan pages, Twitter and an “Inspiration Wall” on MomEntrepreneurAward.com, where visitors can post comments touting their favourite participating companies.
“There’s a chance for people to get more engaged with the [nominees’] profiles and help with the viral aspect,” said Sarah Morgenstern, publisher at SavvyMom Media. “As people get excited about it and see the inspirational comments, the idea is that there would be more viral activity.”
Voters are also rewarded for participating, as SavvyMom.ca will award 80 prizes in a random draw to be held after the contest.
Morgenstern expects local news media across Canada to play a key role in raising awareness for the contest.
“We’ve found in the past that there’s a lot of local media interest in this. Everyone wants to find out who are the local companies who are nominated and get behind their local nominees.”
SavvyMom.ca is also promoting the contest through its own website, as well as its Facebook and Twitter accounts. In addition, sponsors Media Partners, Today’s Parent Group and Profit Growth Planner will promote the program via their publishing properties.
