ATLAS OBSCURA: FIRST JOURNEY OFFICIAL RULES

MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO PARTICIPATE. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

DESCRIPTION:

In the FIRST JOURNEY (the “Contest”), Atlas Obscura (the “Sponsor”) will award one person or team with a $15,000 stipend to complete an incredible journey during August, September, and/or October 2019. The Sponsor will work alongside the winner to ensure a successful trip and create multimedia content about the journey.

ELIGIBILITY:

The FIRST JOURNEY (the “Contest”) is open only to legal residents of the United States and the District of Columbia, excluding its territories and possessions, age 18 beginning August 1, 2019. Void where otherwise taxed, prohibited or restricted by law. Officers, directors and employees of Atlas Obscura (the “Sponsor”), their parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates; individuals or entities responsible for the development, printing, distribution and implementation of this contest; and individuals who are employees of or members of the immediate family or household, whether or not related, of any of the foregoing are not eligible to enter to win. Contest is subject to all applicable Federal, state and local laws and regulations. In the case of a team entry, all persons in a team will be considered a single entrant and must meet all requirements outlined in these Official Rules.

CONTEST ENTRY PERIOD:

The Contest will begin on April 3, 2019 at 10:00AM Eastern Standard Time and end on July 19, 2019 at 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time. All entries must be received by May 1, 2019 at 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time.

To enter, visit https://www.atlasobscura.com/first-journey (the “Web Site”), follow all instructions, and complete and submit an online entry form (the “Entry”).

The Sponsor will review entries and select 25 Semifinalists to submit more information about their proposed journeys. Entrants will be notified on or about June 12, 2019 if they are selected as Semifinalists. Semifinalists must submit the requested information to Sponsor no later than 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time on June 26, 2019 to be considered.

The Sponsor will review semifinalist entries and select 5 Finalists to submit more information about their proposed journey. Semifinalists will be notified on or about July 8, 2019 if they are selected as Finalists. Finalists must submit the requested information to Sponsor no later than 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time on July 19, 2019 to be considered.

The Sponsor will notify Finalists on or about July 19, 2019 if they are selected as a Winner.

Only Entries received during the Contest Entry Period and which are otherwise fully compliant with these Official Rules are “Valid Entries.” Limit one (1) Entry per person, per e-mail address. Entrants may enter the contest using a valid name and e-mail address only. In the event of a dispute involving Entries submitted by multiple individuals using the same email account, the Entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized subscriber of the email account used to enter the contest at the time of entry. The authorized account subscriber is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by the relevant Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address and he/she must fully comply with these Official Rules. Entries from any person, email address, or household in excess of the above-stated entry limit are prohibited and will void all Entries by that entrant. Entrants expressly agree to assume the risk of lost, late, incomplete, garbled, damaged, delayed, illegible, stolen, undelivered or misdirected Entries and acknowledge that Released Parties (as defined below) are not responsible for such Entries.

Submission Guidelines:

All Contest participants must adhere to the following:

All participants must complete the online entry form in its entirety on the Web Site.

All participants must confirm that they have the proper travel documentation to complete their journeys. Travel to or through areas where the U.S. State Department currently lists a Level 4 or ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory is not permitted.  

All participants must confirm that their proposal is original and for independent travel. Proposals involving an existing commercial expedition or pre-paid tour, including organized tours that are part of charity fundraising efforts, will not be considered.

All participants must confirm that they are available to travel for the Contest during August, September, and/or October, 2019, and are available for infrequent phone calls and emails with the Sponsor between June 26 and December 31, 2019.

By entering the Contest, all participants agree that all materials submitted or made in conjunction with or by the Sponsor are owned by the Sponsor and may live on any of the Sponsors’ channels’ in perpetuity as part of the First Journey program (the “Program”). Such display will be at the sole discretion of the Sponsor. Display of the work within such promotional usage will be at the sole discretion of the Sponsor.

By entering the contest, all participants agree to receive marketing emails from the Sponsor.

By entering the contest, all participants agree that the Sponsor may use their names and likenesses in perpetuity in promotion of the Contest, future versions of the Contest, and of the Sponsor generally.

Submissions will be judged based on the quality of the Entry. These shall be judged by a panel (the “Panel”) of qualified judges appointed by the Sponsor, according to the following judging criteria (the “Judging Criteria”):

Feasibility of trip, including proposed budget and practicality of travel

The quality of the journey’s proposed mission

The Sponsor’s ability to tell strong editorial stories based on the content of the journey

Selection of Semifinalists:

On or about June 8, 2019, the Panel will supply the Sponsor with a selection of 25 semifinalists from all valid Entries in accordance with the Judging Criteria. The sponsor will determine, at its sole discretion, which Entries are deemed valid, and the Sponsor’s decision will be final in all respects.

Semifinalist Notification:

Potential semifinalists will be notified by email or telephone using the information provided on such potential semifinalists’ Entries on or about June 12, 2019 (“Semifinalist Notification”). Contest participants are responsible for providing the Sponsor with any changes in the participant’s contact information occurring after the date of participant’s Contest submission. Semifinalist Notification by telephone and/or email shall be deemed to have occurred on the date the Sponsor or the Sponsor’s designee first attempts to make email and/or telephone contact with a potential winner. If any prospective potential semifinalist is found to be ineligible for any reason, an alternate potential semifinalist may be selected at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Any non-response by a potential semifinalist or the Sponsor’s failure to receive a response from any potential semifinalist within the prescribed three (3) business day period will result in disqualification of such potential semifinalist and the selection of an alternate potential semifinalist in the Sponsor’s sole discretion and time permitting. In the event the Sponsor is unable to contact a potential semifinalist or if a potential semifinalist is non-compliant with these Official Rules, the potential semifinalist will be disqualified and an alternate potential semifinalist will be selected. The Sponsor is not responsible for unsuccessful efforts to notify any potential semifinalist. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the potential semifinalist and any alternate potential semifinalist are collectively referred to herein as the “Semifinalists.”

Semifinalists will be required to submit additional application materials (the “Semifinalist Entry”), which include but are not limited to a detailed journey proposal, a comprehensive budget for the journey, home address, and links to all social media channels owned or used by the Semifinalist. The Sponsor reserves the right to request additional information deemed necessary to evaluate the proposals. Semifinalists must submit all additional materials no later than 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time on June 26, 2019 in order to remain eligible. If any requested information is submitted after 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time on June 26, 2019, the Semifinalist’s eligibility becomes null and void. These additional materials will be reviewed by the Panel employing the Judging Criteria.

Selection of Finalists:

On or about July 3, 2019, the Panel will supply the Sponsor with a selection of five (5) finalists from all valid Semifinalist Entries in accordance with the Judging Criteria. The sponsor will determine, at its sole discretion, which Semifinalist Entries are deemed valid, and the Sponsor’s decision will be final in all respects.

Finalist Notification:

Potential finalists will be notified by email or telephone using the information provided on such potential finalists’ Finalist Entries, Semifinalist Entries, or Entries on or about July 8, 2019 (“Finalist Notification”). Contest participants are responsible for providing the Sponsor with any changes in the participant’s contact information occurring after the date of participant’s Contest submission. Finalist Notification by telephone and/or email shall be deemed to have occurred on the date the Sponsor or the Sponsor’s designee first attempts to make email and/or telephone contact with a potential winner. If any prospective potential finalist is found to be ineligible for any reason, an alternate potential finalist may be selected at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Any non-response by a potential finalist or the Sponsor’s failure to receive a response from any potential finalist within the prescribed three (3) business day period will result in disqualification of such potential finalist and the selection of an alternate potential finalist in the Sponsor’s sole discretion and time permitting. In the event the Sponsor is unable to contact a potential finalist or if a potential finalist is non-compliant with these Official Rules, the potential finalist will be disqualified and an alternate potential finalist will be selected. The Sponsor is not responsible for unsuccessful efforts to notify any potential finalist. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the potential finalist and any alternate potential finalist are collectively referred to herein as the “Finalists.”

In order to be named a Finalist, potential finalists must provide their Social Security number to the Sponsor and will also be required to authorize a background check, at a cost to the Sponsor, to the extent required by law and sign an affidavit or certification of eligibility and publicity/liability release within three (3) business days of the date of initial Finalist Notification, or an alternate potential finalist will be selected at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. If Finalist Notification is returned as undeliverable, it will result in disqualification, and an alternate potential finalist may be selected at the Sponsor’s sole discretion.

Finalists will be required to submit additional application materials (the “Finalist Entry”), which include but are not limited to a one-minute video, and will be required to undergo an interview with members of the Panel, either in person or via video conferencing. The Sponsor reserves the right to request any additional information deemed necessary to evaluate their proposals. Finalists must submit all additional materials and complete their interviews no later than 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time on July 18, 2019 in order to remain eligible. If any requested information is submitted after 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time on July 18, 2019, the Finalist’s eligibility becomes null and void. These additional materials and interviews will be reviewed by the Panel employing the Judging Criteria.

Selection of Winner:

On or about July 15, 2019, the Panel will supply the Sponsor with a selection of one Winner and one alternate winner from all valid Finalist Entries in accordance with the Judging Criteria. The sponsor will determine, at its sole discretion, which Finalist Entries are deemed valid, and the Sponsor’s decision will be final in all respects.

Winner Notification:

Potential winners will be notified by email or telephone using the information provided on such potential winners’ Finalist Entries, Semifinalist Entries, or Entries on or about July 19, 2019 (“Winner Notification”). Contest participants are responsible for providing the Sponsor with any changes in the participant’s contact information occurring after the date of participant’s Contest submission. Winner Notification by telephone and/or email shall be deemed to have occurred on the date the Sponsor or the Sponsor’s designee first attempts to make email and/or telephone contact with a potential winner. If any prospective potential winner is found to be ineligible for any reason, an alternate potential winner may be selected at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Any non-response by a potential winner or the Sponsor’s failure to receive a response from any potential winner within the prescribed three (3) business day period will result in disqualification of such potential winner and the selection of an alternate potential winner in the Sponsor’s sole discretion and time permitting. In the event the Sponsor is unable to contact a potential winner or if a potential winner is non-compliant with these Official Rules, the potential winner will be disqualified and an alternate potential winner will be selected. The Sponsor is not responsible for unsuccessful efforts to notify any potential winner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the potential winner and any alternate potential winner are collectively referred to herein as the “Winners.”

Before receiving the Prize, Winners must sign a contractual agreement agreeing to use the funds provided by Atlas Obscura for their intended agreed upon purpose and behave in line with Atlas Obscura's values publicly, on social media and in public representation of the First Journey contest.

Prize:

One (1) Winner shall have the opportunity to receive the funding amount of $15,000.00, delivered via ACH transfer or check, to be used toward funding the participant’s journey as described in the participant’s submission, as part of the Program. The Sponsor will offer the Winner booking and planning assistance free of charge, if necessary. Any funds spent by Atlas Obscura on behalf of the Winner will occur before the Prize is delivered to the Winner and will be deducted from the total amount of Prize funds transferred.

The total value of all prizes is $15,000.00.

Any costs, expenses or incidentals associated with Prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided are the responsibility of the Winner, including, without limitation, all Federal, state, local and income taxes. Winners may also have their Work featured in other media outlets determined by the Sponsor.

General Prize Conditions:

Prizes are awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either expressed or implied by the Sponsor. No transfers, cash redemption, or substitutions are permitted, except that the Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a Prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value in its sole and absolute discretion. Prize award is subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules. Any and all Federal, state and local taxes on Prizes, and any other costs, fees and expenses not explicitly stated herein as being awarded are the sole responsibility of the Winner.

General:

By participating, all entrants warrant and represent that their entries are their own original work and that they have complied in full with these Official Rules, including but not limited to all eligibility requirements, and further agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects. All Entry, Semifinalist Entry, and Finalist Entry materials become the property of the Sponsor and will not be returned or acknowledged. Photocopies, facsimiles, illegible, incomplete or mechanically reproduced Entries, Semifinalist Entries, and Finalist Entries are not eligible. Entry, Semifinalist Entry, and Finalist Entry materials that have been tampered with or altered, mass Entries, Semifinalist Entries, and Finalist Entries or Entries, Semifinalist Entries, and Finalist Entries generated automatically or robotically, or by a script, macro or use of any automated or mechanical device(s) or practices, or any other means which subvert the entry process are void. The Sponsor, its affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, divisions and/or advertising or sweepstakes agencies, individuals or entities responsible for the development, printing, distribution and implementation of this Contest, and each of their respective employees, officers, directors and agents are not responsible for: (i) lost, late, misdirected, damaged, or illegible; (ii) error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of Entry, Semifinalist Entry, and Finalist Entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, mechanical, typographical, printing, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or errors of any kind, or inaccurate transmission of or failure to receive entry information by the Sponsor; (iii) hardware or software errors; faulty computer, telephone, cable, satellite, network, cellular towers, electronic, wireless or Internet connectivity or other online communication problems; errors or limitations of any Internet service providers, servers, hosts or providers; garbled, jumbled, scrambled, delayed or faulty data transmission entries; failure of any e-mail transmissions to be sent or received; lost, late, delayed or intercepted e-mail transmissions; inaccessibility of the Web Site in whole or in part for any reason; traffic congestion on the Internet or the Web Site; unauthorized human or non-human intervention of the operation of the Contest, including without limitation, unauthorized tampering, hacking, theft, virus, bugs, worms; or destruction of any aspect of the Contest, or loss, miscount, misdirection, inaccessibility or unavailability of an email account used in connection with the Contest; or (iv) any injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer or other device related to or resulting from entering or otherwise participating in the Contest or downloading materials from or use of a Web Site. Released Parties are also not responsible for any other errors in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors or problems in connection with the administration of the Contest, the processing of Entries, Semifinalist Entries, and Finalist Entries, uploading of any Entry, Semifinalist Entry, and Finalist Entry, the announcement of the Winners or typographical, printing or other errors in these Official Rules or in any Contest-related materials. Entrants agree to release the Released Parties from and against any and all claims in connection with the Sponsor’s selection of the finalists and the Sponsor’s selection of the Winners. The Sponsor reserves the right to withdraw and terminate, or modify, the administration of the Contest if it becomes technically corrupted, if a computer virus or system malfunction impairs its ability to conduct the Contest, or if the online entry method otherwise becomes impossible, impractical, infeasible for any other reason. If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including without limitation, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, the Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion to cancel, suspend, modify or terminate the Contest.

By participating in the Contest, each entrant agrees to release, defend, indemnify and hold harmless Released Parties from and against any and all claims, demands, expenses, losses and liabilities of any nature whatsoever caused or contributed to by: (i) entering or participating in the Contest (including any claims of third parties alleging infringement, rights of publicity, rights of privacy or defamation or other intellectual property rights); (ii) the acceptance, use or misuse of any Prize; and/or (iii) participation in any Prize-related activities or travel. By participating in the Contest and accepting a Prize, entrant irrevocably grants to the Sponsor and its designees, the unconditional and perpetual right and permission to use the entrant's name, address (city and state), image, voice, likeness, statements, biographical material and entry/submission, including, but not limited to any video, still image, likeness, photos, names, special effects or digital or other recording, performances or other material contained in such Entry, Semifinalist Entry, and Finalist Entry, as submitted or as edited, altered or modified in any way by the Sponsor or their designees in the Sponsor’s sole discretion) as well as any additional photographic images, video images, portraits, interviews or other materials relating to the entrant and arising from his/her participation in this Contest in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, throughout the world in perpetuity (unless prohibited by law). Such usage will not include within paid commercial advertisements, with the exception of paid social posts in support of the Program. Entrant further agrees to release, indemnify and hold harmless the Sponsor and Released Parties from any and all claims that any commercial, advertising, presentation, web content or any other material subsequently produced, presented and/or prepared by or on behalf of the Sponsor which incorporates all or any portion of entrant’s Contest submission infringes on the rights of entrant’s work as contained in any submitted entry.

Warranty:

By entering, each entrant warrants and represents (i) that any individual featured or visible in entrant’s Entry/submission is at least 18 years of age or older August 1, 2019; (ii) that the entrant owns all rights to the submission he/she is entering in this Contest, including, without limitation, any intellectual property rights, video or digital recording, and any performance contained in entrant’s submission, with the exception of any Sponsor brand assets provided or made available by the Sponsor for use by entrants in connection with this Contest; and (iii) that the entrant is the individual described, pictured and/or heard in the submission, or, alternatively, that the entrant has obtained permission from each and every person described or appearing in the submission, granting full exhibition rights to the Sponsor as described in these Official Rules, and can make written copies of such permissions available to the Sponsor upon request. By submitting an entry/submission, entrant warrants and represents that he/she consents to the submission and use of the entry/submission in this Contest and to its use as otherwise set forth herein.

Legal Warning:

ANY ATTEMPT BY AN INDIVIDUAL, WHETHER OR NOT AN ENTRANT, TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE, DESTROY, TAMPER WITH OR VANDALIZE THIS WEB SITE OR INTERFERE WITH THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND, SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND TO DILIGENTLY PURSUE ALL REMEDIES (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES) AGAINST ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

Interpretation:

This Contest shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of New York, U.S.A. without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions. By participating, entrants agree that any and all disputes arising out of or relating in any way to this Contest shall be litigated only in courts sitting in New York, NY, U.S.A. The New York courts (State and Federal) shall have sole jurisdiction of any controversies regarding the Contest and the laws of the State of New York shall govern the Contest. Each entrant waives any and all objections to jurisdiction and venue in these courts and hereby submits to the jurisdiction of these courts.

Winner’s list:

To find out who won, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the following address after July 31, 2019 and within three (3) months of that date to Atlas Obscura: First Journey, Atlas Obscura, 61 Greenpoint Avenue, 6th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11222.

For a copy of these Official Rules during the Contest Period, visit https://www.atlasobscura.com/first-journey-rules, or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the following address for receipt during the Contest to Atlas Obscura: First Journey, Atlas Obscura, 61 Greenpoint Avenue, 6th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11222, or send an email to firstjourney@atlasobscura.com with “First Journey Official Rules Request” in the subject line. Only one (1) request of either type per outer envelope will be fulfilled. Vermont residents may omit return postage for rules requests.

Unsubscribe:

The Sponsor shares your concerns about the privacy of your personal information. By entering this Contest, entrants agree to receive email communications relevant to the Program, marketing materials, communications and other materials from the Sponsor and/or any promotional partners whose products and services the Sponsor feels might interest entrants at a future date. An entrant not interested in receiving future promotional offers should email firstjourney@atlasobscura.com to notify the Sponsor that he or she does not desire to receive such materials.