Gawker: Contest

Enter This Sex Scandal Contest and Choke On It

Richard — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:03:00 EDT

Sex is fun! Sex scandals are even more fun. Movies are also a good time, so one of our lovely advertisers has decided to sponsor a little contest involving just those three things. After the jump you'll find a list of famous sexual liaisons, and all you have to do is name the celebrity that matches up with the once-secret lover. Of the readers who name all five correctly, one, randomly selected, will win a year's subscription to Netflix. Details after the jump!

Name the celebrity that matches up with the once-secret lover....

1. Ashley Dupre
2. Marla Maples
3. Balthazar Getty
4. Rielle Hunter
5. Edward Brooke

Email us your answers at contests at gawker dot com. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, September 25th, by 6pm EST. As always, standard contest rules apply. Sponsored by Choke: From the Author of 'FIGHT CLUB'. In Theatres Friday. Watch the trailer here.

Our Sponsors Are 'A Lifestyle' (Plus a Contest!)

Pareene — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:45:52 EDT

For some reason we thought Richard was doing the sponsors post today but then he was all "what the fuck are you talking about, fuck off" (IT'S TRUE THIS IS WHAT HE SAID) so its up to us. On behalf of everyone at Gawker we humbly thank AT&T, Bravo, Chili's, Crown Publishing, Frommers, Fuerabruta, Hancock, Honda Fit, LG Scarlett, Mini, MGM Grand Foxwoods, Randomhouse, Unscrew America, VW for their support. Hey you! Advertise with Gawker! OH! And there's a contest. Details below!

Fuerzabruta,Daily News calls "a sexy, heart-pounding fantasy," would like you to win a pair of vouchers to their show! So email us with the subject line "Fuerzabruta Contest" and we'll select a random lucky winner.

Winner!

Pareene — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:20:37 EDT

Yesterday, CNN introduced new headline t-shirts and we bemoaned their shamelessness. Then we shamelessly held a contest for the best fake ones! Betty Crocker wins (with an assist from Tnuc)! Simple. Effective. Also it may get you arrested. Unfortunately you can't actually buy these hacked shirts, nor can you even hack them anymore. Maybe we'll try to work out something else?

Win an Offensive CNN T-Shirt!

Pareene — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:43:51 EDT

CNN.com introduced a new feature today that allows you to buy t-shirts featuring some of their more outrageous headlines. Of course, even their most outrageous headlines are no match for the ones various bloggers and commenters are creating using their easily-hacked t-shirt store URLs. So let's have a contest! Knock up one that's funny—not purely offensive, please—and whichever one tickles our fancy the most wins a prize. If we're able too! Examples to get you started here and in the comments here. Enter in the comments below with a link and, if you can manage, an image of the shirt. Quick, before they fix it! The prize? We'll buy you the t-shirt you created! (If we can.) Standard contest rules apply.

Kreepie Kats in "The Pope Wants to Hump Your Face"

Pareene — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:05:11 EDT

[Hey, Jim Behrle's lovable kartoon kitties are holding a kontest! It's called the "Have Sex with the Kreepie Kats Guy Tonite Kontest" and the details are after the jump.]

A Hopeless Task

Nick Denton — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:10:43 EST

How can journalism schools encourage the entrepreneurial instincts of would-be journalists? The University of Southern California's Online Journalism Review wants to know, and I can think of no answer except this: close. Maybe you'll be more constructive. Questions, after the jump. I'll forward the best of your responses.

Hello Nick,

I am putting together a piece for OJR.org with advice for journalism schools in how to approach entrepreneurship, given the collapsing traditional business models for journalism. As part of my piece, I'd like to get your thoughts on four relevant questions:

1. What aptitude should journalism schools be looking for in the students that they recruit and admit, in order to improve the odds that some of their graduates will find success as news entrepreneurs?

2. What knowledge should journalism schools be attempting to impart upon their students to enable their entrepreneurial ability?

3. What practical skills and experiences should journalism schools be providing their students in order to test their entrepreneurial abilities?

4. Is there anything that journalism schools are doing now, in student selection, curriculum, training or attitude, that is standing in the way of preparing students for entrepreneurship?

Feel free to answer a few or all of these questions, at any length you feel appropriate. I'd like to put the piece together by the end of the week, so any response by then would be warmly appreciated.

Thank you very much for your time,
Robert

Robert Niles
Editor, USC Annenberg Online Journalism Review
http://www.ojr.org

Fashion Week Foto Funnies Contest!

Pareene — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:38:46 EST

Oh hey, it's Fashion Week! Again! It's like monthly now, right? Anyway—Denton authorized us to hand out a FREE $100 AMAZON GIFT CARD to the first person to send us their best Fashion Week Hilarious Sneaky Paparazzi-Style Shot. Of Anna Wintour or otherwise, it's up to you. (That photo, of course, is from the inimitable Julia Allison)

One Robocall Worth Taking

Nick Denton — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:05:06 EST

Potential voters in tomorrow's Super Tuesday primaries are receiving automated calls from actress Scarlett Johansson, one of Barack Obama's more glamorous supporters. (A $100 Amazon.com certificate to the first person who can provide us audio.) Update: And here it is. Thanks, Albert!

Hey, You Like Dudes?

abalk2 — Mon, 14 May 2007 16:37:08 EDT

So we were wondering which way you swing? We don't know why the ad department wants to ask you this—but anyway, if you take this not-at-all invasive survey about your sexual preferences, and enter your e-mail address, you could win a $250 gift certificate from Amazon.com. And, quite possibly, for the gays, a date with Managing Editor Choire Sicha! He's extremely desperate! Standard contest rules apply.

Our Advertisers Love Women's Basketball; Contest

abalk2 — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:46:39 EDT

Thanks to this week's advertisers, who love the sport and everyone who plays it. Care to catch a game with them? Additional information here. There's even more excitement this week: Answer this poll from Bravo's Shear Genius, enter your e-mail address, and you could win a $100 gift certificate from Spafinder! And thanks to our advertisers: American Apparel, Canon, IFC TV, LivePersonalShoppers.com, MSNBC, Mergers & Acquisitions, Nokia, Perfect Stranger, Bravo's Shear Genius, SV Supreme Vodka, Sprint, UWISHUNU.com, VW.

Our Advertisers Are All About Solidarity, Contest

Emily Gould — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:13:53 EDT

Solidarity and accountability! Because why not, it's not like they're mutually exclusive or something. If you're interested in joining the fun, more info is available here.

Thanks to Absolut, American Apparel, Amy Winehouse, Curse of the Golden Flower, Kaiser Chiefs, The New School, New York Underground Film Festival, Nokia, Perfect Stranger, SV Supreme Vodka, Sprint, Toyota, UWISHUNU.com, VW, Verizon. And after the jump, find out how you can win two tix to the New York Underground Film Festival!

Prize is choice of a pair of the tickets to the NY Underground Film Festival screening of winner's choice: VIVA (Opening Night, 3/28), Frank & Cindy (4/1) or Random Lunacy: Videos from the Road Less Traveled (Closing Night, 4/1, sponsored by The Onion and Pabst). More info is here.

To enter, just send an email to tips@gawker.com with the subject line NYUFF Contest before Tuesday, March 27th. An email will be picked at random to win. By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules.

Our Advertisers Think Bald Is Beautiful, Free Ipod Shuffle

Emily Gould — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:04:04 EST

Go ahead, shave it off. Our advertisers will still think you're pretty. Interested in joining their very accepting ranks? Info is here. Also, do you want a free ipod shuffle in your choice of color? Why, simply fill out this survey and include your email address. The usual rules apply.

Thanks to: 24 Fitness, Absolut, EA Mobile, Earthlink, Endless.com, Elvis Perkins, Erasure, The Host, The New School, SV Supreme Vodka, Sprint, Toyota, VW, Verizon.

Our Advertisers Are Hot, Well-Shot; Contest

abalk2 — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 10:50:31 EST

Our sponsors are sitting shirtless on the bed atop a pile of hundred dollar bills. Care to join in? More info here.

AOL Music, Best Buy, FX Dirt, Japan Society, KT Tunstall, Levi's, LG VX8600, Mastercard, Moviefone, Notes on a Scandal, Sprint, SV Supreme Vodka, VW Rabbit

Also, you've got a chance to win a $150 gift card to the Levi's Store, sponsored by Levi's Jeans, The Original Definitive Jeans Brand. Find your Levi's Style Online. To enter, just send an email contests@gawker.com, with the subject line Levi's Contest before Tuesday, December 26th. An email will be picked at random to win. By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules.

Our Advertisers Are More Than Adequite; Contest

abalk2 — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 11:00:12 EST

Thanks to this week's sponsors, whose e-mails are always spell-checked and coherent. Interested in joining their ranks? More info here.

Best Buy, Comedy Central, Depeche Mode, Dewars, Escada, The Japan Society,KT Tunstall, LA Times, Levi's, LG VX8600, Mastercard, Moviefone, Notes on a Scandal, The Oh in Ohio, Rufus Wainwright, Sprint, SV Supreme Vodka, Time Magazine, VW Rabbit

Also, here's a chance to win a DVD of The Oh in Ohio, starring Parker Posey, Paul Rudd, Mischa Barton, Miranda Bailey and Danny DeVito as "Wayne," with an outrageous cameo by Liza Minnelli. "One of the sweetest, smartest sex comedies I have ever seen" (Boston Globe), The New York Times praised this "Nice naughty indie...full of unexpected pleasures." Available now on HBO DVD. Click here for more info.

To enter, just send an email to contests@gawker.com with the subject line Oh in Ohio Contest before Monday, December 11th. An email will be picked at random to win. By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules.

Our Advertisers Would Never Lie on Their MySpace; Contest

Emily Gould — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 11:00:00 EST

Thanks to this week's sponsors, we can continue to bring you breaking reports about Jackson Pollis's nipples for another week. Interested in joining their valiant ranks? More info here. After the jump, we continue to sing their praises, and tell you how you can win a $150 gift card to the Levi's Store merely by sending an email. Sponsored by: Levi's Jeans The Original Definitive Jeans Brand. Find your Levi's Style Online: www.levisstore.com.

To enter, just send an email to contests@gawker.com with the subject line Levi's Contest before Monday, December 4th. An email will be picked at random to win. By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules.

Our sponsors this week are Ali G DVD, The Beatles, Best Buy, Depeche Mode, Dewars, Escada, Fox
Searchlight, KT Tunstall, Levi's, LG VX8600, Mastercard, Moviefone, Rufus
Wainwright, Sprint, Sam Moore, Suretone, SV Supreme Vodka, Time Magazine,
Tom Waits, VW Rabbit.

Douches: Harder To Bag Than We Thought

Emily Gould — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 12:37:00 EST

Preliminary results are in, and the quest to replace 'Douchebag' in our insult lexicon is going well — well, sort of. Despite all your helpful emails and comments, we're still looking for something with douchebag's je ne sais quoi. The way it trips off the tongue in two syllables is especially important, we've noticed, so that unfortunately eliminates all the choads, snatches, and pricks from the running to be America's Next Top Word That Means Douchebag. And extra points will be awarded if the epithet has douchebag's remarkable ability to be shortened (douche, d-bag) and lengthened (douchebaggery, douchebaguette, douche-o-matic, doucheology, etc). What we're getting at, dear twatwaffles, is that in spite of your Tourette's-y outbursts yesterday, we're still looking. Write or comment, and do it soon — we left the Balneol in the office lavatory, and let's just say that this is one busy household.

Earlier: Douches: Time to Bag It?

Douches: Time To Bag It?

Emily Gould — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 15:20:58 EST

Now that half of us have a vagina (it's like Middlesex!) there's been some discussion of the whole D-word issue. Don't get us wrong. It's not that (50%) of our delicate ladyish sensibilities are offended or anything; far from it. It's just that, as vagina-havers, we want to branch out a little bit in the realm of vagina-related insults. Also, we couldn't help but notice that the trope is now so bitten and tired, it pretty much begs to be called "Already Over" (if Already Over wasn't Already Over, obvs). Plus, Dolce has co-opted it for his own use. What a fucking asswizard!
But after scraping the barrel-bottom pretty hard, we couldn't come up with a replacement term of insultdearment. So we turn to you, dear readers. What is the new word we'll be overusing compulsively? Email, or just leave 'em in the comments. The winning neologist will receive a bottle of luxurious Balneol Perianal Cleansing Lotion, pictured above. It may not seem like much, but according to a commenter at drugstore.com, "it will last at least 6 to 8 months even in the most busy of households." Rules here.

Our Advertisers Will Protect You from Jared Leto; Contest

suki — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:50:00 EDT

Thanks to this week's sponsors, our blogging fingers remain safe from Jared Leto. Care to join them? More info here.

Want to win a copy of Mini's First Time on DVD? Want to hear more about it first? "This dark comedy explores the dangers of teenage angst and stars Alec Baldwin, Nikki Reed (the girl from Thirteen), Luke Wilson (the man in your dreams), Carrie-Anne Moss and Jeff Goldblum. In stores October 24." More Info is here.

To enter, just send an email tips@gawker.com with the subject line Mini's First Time Contest before Monday, October 30th. An email will be picked at random to win. By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules.

Our sponsors this week are: Blackberry, Decemberists, E! Online, Gomez, Google Checkout, Jane Magazine, Mini's First Time, Reservoir Dogs, Running with Scissors, SV Supreme Vodka, Top Chef, Volver and Yahoo.

Advertiser Swan Song and Contest

Jessica — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 15:23:17 EDT

A breathy thanks to this week's sponsors, most of whom are financial backers of every Meatpacking District venue we've mentioned this week. Interested in our dirty machinations? More info here.

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Beck, Best Buy, The Killers, Scissor Sisters, Jane Magazine, American Apparel, Decemberists, La Rocca, SV Supreme Vodka, Comedy Central, Mediabistro, Cat Power, Blackberry, The New School, and Running with Scissors.

Hey, remember the Gin Blossoms? Hey Jealousy, the video where the crazy kids toilet-paper a house...yeah, 1994 was pretty sweet. Relive the glory and win 2 tickets to see the Gin Blossoms play on October 4. Details after the jump.

Sponsor lingo:

Sponsored by The Gin Blossoms: The Gin Blossoms are in New York and we've giving away tickets to their October 4th show at the Nokia Theatre Times Square. Their new album Major Lodge Victory is in stores now. Visit www.TheGins.com to hear the single Learning The Hard Way.

To enter, just send an email to gawkercontest@gmail.com with the subject line Gins Concert Contest before Monday, October 2nd. An email will be picked at random to win. By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules.

Advertiser Lorem Ipsum Dolor; Contest

abalk2 — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 12:50:51 EDT

Thanks to this week's sponsors, who always make sense. Interested in joining them? More info here.

8th and Ocean, American Apparel, Best Buy, Cat Power, Comedy Central, Employee of the Month, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Hard Candy DVD, Jane Magazine, La Rocca, Mediabistro, Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex, The New School, SV Supreme Vodka, Scissor Sisters

Speaking of Scissor Sisters, hit the jump for a chance to win their new one.

Scissor Sisters new album "Ta-Dah" is in stores on 9/26/06 and features the single "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'". See the band perform the song on Dancing with the Stars on Wednesday, 9/27. More info at ScissorSisters.com.

To enter, just send an email to contests@gawker.com with the subject line "Scissor Sisters Contest" before Monday, September 25th. An email will be picked at random to win. By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules.

Advertiser Group Hug and Contest

Jessica — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 15:10:03 EDT

Thanks to this week's sponsors, whose blood money allows us to buy that ridiculous striped balloon dress thingy that Marc Jacobs just showed. Fabulousness! Interested in putting us in your pocket? More info here.

Best Buy, Black Dahlia, Humane Society, American Apparel, La Rocca, Mediabistro, Employee of the Month, Randomhouse, 8th & Ocean, Hard Candy, The U.S. vs. John Lennon, Unknown White Male, The New School, Studio 60, Queer as Folk, Guy and Rodd, Rogue's Gallery and the Lemonheads.

You like free stuff, right? Win tickets to Andrew Bujalski's Mutual Appreciation; details after the jump.

The folks at Goodbye Cruel Releasing are giving away 10 tickets to Andrew Bujalski's Mutual Appreciation, playing at the Cinema Village. The first 10 people to email info@mutualappreciation.com with Gawker Ticket Giveway in the subject line win; you'll be notified if you're a lucky one, and a ticket will be held in your name at the Cinema Village for any show this Saturday or Sunday.

By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules and have pledged your devotion to Satan.

Advertiser Love; Contest

abalk2 — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 11:20:28 EDT

Thanks to this week's sponsors, who are all thin and smart. Care to join them? More info here.

American Apparel, Kiki & Herb, Best Buy, Universal Pictures, Guy and Rodd, The Humane Society, PC Magazine, H&M, Stoli Blueberi, Sony Pictures, VW Rabbit, Outkast, Fox Searchlight, M*A*C Cosmetics, KT Tunstall

In addition, we're offering you the chance to win the new Gin Blossoms CD. Details after the jump.

The Gin Blossoms are back and we're giving away signed copies of their latest album Major Lodge Victory. Visit www.TheGins.com to hear the single "Learning The Hard Way."

To enter, just send an email to tips@gawker.com with the subject line Gin Blossoms Contest before Monday, September 4. An email will be picked at random to win. By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules.

Advertiser Contest: Spa Treatment

abalk2 — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 14:30:08 EDT

Want a chance to win the Triple Oxygen Treatment at Bliss Spa? Of course you do! Here's why and how:

Sponsored by The Oxygen Network. Breaking up is never fun, so why do it alone? Let Shannen Doherty do the dirty work for you! Watch Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty Tuesdays at 10pm/9C. Go to oxygen.com/shannen for break up essentials.

To enter, just take our poll and submit your e-mail address after you've voted. An email will be picked at random to win. Poll closes at eight. By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules.

Our Advertisers Would Totally Marry Career Women; Contest

abalk2 — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 12:20:16 EDT

Thanks to this week's sponsors, none of whom are bitter, angry men incapable of dealing with the advancement of women in the corporate world. Care to join them? More info here.

Best Buy, Humane Society, H&M, Toyota Yaris, Studio 60, Showtime, PC Magazine, Guy and Rodd, Kiki & Herb, American Apparel, Fox Searchlight, SonyPictures, VW Rabbit, Stoli Blueberi, Outkast, KT Tunstall, M*A*C Cosmetics, The Gin Blossoms

In addition, we're offering you the chance to win a "Weeds" Season One DVD. Details after the jump.

"See what all the buzz is about! Don't miss the Showtime Original Series Weeds only on Showtime. Mondays at 10PM ET/PT with multi-plays all week. Click here to watch a preview.

To enter, just send an email tips@gawker.com with the subject line Weeds Contest before Monday, August 28. An email will be picked at random to win. By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules.

Advertiser Holla and Contest

Jessica — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 13:30:44 EDT

Thanks to this week's sponsors, who would never, ever force us to blog about our dating life and do whatever our readers dictated. More info here.

Best Buy, Weeds, Humane Society, Comedy Central, Toyota Yaris, Outkast, Studio 60, American Apparel, PC Magazine, Guy and Rodd, Oxygen, Kiki & Herb, Fox Searchlight, Sony Pictures, VW Rabbit, Lipstick Jungle, Stoli Blueberi, and Absolut Ruby Red.

And hey, you like Outkast? We hear they're big with the kids! Win the new album; contest info after the jump.

Because our corporate masters love you, they're giving away the latest Outkast album (and a poster, oooh). The new album, Idlewild, thits in stores 8/22. Movie in theaters 8/25. Visit Outkast.com for more information.

To enter, just send an email to gawkercontest@gmail.com with the subject line Outkast Contest before Monday, August 21. An email will be picked at random to win. By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules.

Is It Nature or Nurture That Makes This Contest Sooo Gay?

gdelahaye — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 16:40:22 EDT

Second Place: Getting ass-raped by a Production Assistant. At home.

Win a Trip to the Set of Prison Break and Meet Wentworth Miller [Details]

Our Advertisers Would Treat Jodi Applegate With The Respect She Deserves -- Plus $100 Gift Certificate Contest

abalk2 — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 14:30:10 EDT

It's time again to thank this week's sponsors, none of whom would pull a prank on local news while children were watching. Interested in joining the club? More info here.

Bravo, VW Rabbit, Best Buy, Kensington Books, Anna Nalick, American Apparel, Toyota Yaris, PBS, Fox Searchlight, Banana Republic, Brothers of the Head, Stoli Blueberi, Absolut Ruby Red, Scoop, The New School, Evian, Sound Team

But there's more! After the jump, find out how you could get a $100 gift certificate just by doing something you probably do all the time anyway.

Worst Body Poll: BRAVO is giving away a $100 SpaFinder gift certificate plus a Work Out T-shirt to one lucky reader. All you have to do is vote for which celebrity you think is most in need of a personal trainer.

Sponsored by Work Out from BRAVO: "Don't miss BRAVO's new series Work Out that uncovers the conflicts, pressure and emotional turmoil of the high drama world of celebrity training. Watch Jack Warner - owner of the elite Hollywood Sky Gym — as she makes her team of sexy, hard-bodied trainers and upscale clients sweat the big stuff all while keeping her business growing and her own personal life afloat. Every Tuesday @ 10/9c. Only on BRAVO."

If you want to enter to win the contest, add your email address when you respond to the poll. One email will be picked at random to win. By entering your email in the poll, you agree to our Contest Rules. Winner will be chosen at random. Contest ends Sunday evening, 9 P.M. EDT. Try not to be too hard on John Travolta, he can't help himself.

Our Advertisers Respect Us In The Morning -- Plus iPod Contest

abalk2 — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 13:30:13 EDT

Our wonderful advertisers helping us afford our slutty lifestyle, and they still tell us they'd marry us. Want to help boost our self-esteem? There's info here.

• Stoli Blueberi
• VW Rabbit
• Best Buy
• Kensington Books
• Anna Nalick
• PBS
≺ American Apparel
• BMW
• Hersheys
• Walkmen
• Fox Searchlight Pictures
• The NewSchool
• Evian
• Sound Team
• Twins of Tribeca

Hey, kids, you want an iPod Shuffle? Of course you do! Well, here's your chance: Just answer four simple questions here! Less than two minutes of your time! By answering survey, you agree to our contest rules.

Free Stuff: Take a Survey, Win Spa Treatments and Concert Tickets

Jesse — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 16:10:29 EDT

Third time's the charm, right? You're just so smart and clever that — yet again — our advertisers are dying to know what makes you click. And they're happy to bribe you to find out. Take a survey and get a chance to win a $500 gift certificate to Bliss Soho plus two tickets to Corinne Bailey Rae's sold-out show tonight at the Bowery Ballroom. Details are after the jump.

The first part is easy. Go here and answer a few questions. While you're at it, remember what the final question is about. (This is how we can tell you actually made it through the whole thing.) Then send an email to corinne@gawker.com by 6 p.m. today that tells us what the final question was. Then we'll pick a winner from the emails with the right answer.

So what do you get, exactly? First, it's a $500 gift certificate for two, for use at the Bliss Spa in Soho. Then there's also the Corinne Bailey Rae tix. And who's she? When singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae's self-titled debut album entered the U.K. album chart at No. 1 in March, she made chart history as the first female British artist to do so with a debut album of original songs. "Rae's music sticks in your mind like a pleasant scent you wish would linger," said Blender. Entertainment Weekly said "Corinne Bailey Rae is so 5 minutes from now.... Think a warm, sultry blend of Norah Jones cool and Macy Gray soul, with songwriting that shows flashes of Fiona Apple." Corinne Bailey Rae album was finally released to the American masses yesterday. You can get more info on her here.

Contest ends at 6 p.m. By entering, you agree to our standard Contest Rules

Our Advertisers Keep New York Safe From Terror -- Plus Ticket Giveaway

Jessica — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 12:35:44 EDT

Thanks to this week's sponsors, who would never cut our anti-terror funding. Interested? More info here.

• HBO
• Spelling Bee
• Dog Bites Man
• American Apparel
• Possible Side Effects
• Bravo
• Lifetime
• BMW
• Hersheys
• Evian
• Delta
• Gnarls Barkley
• Walkmen
• Entourage
• Prairie Home Companion
• Mini
• Conde Nast
• One Last Thing
• DVD
• Cirque du Soleil
• Honda
• The New School
• Queer as Folk
• Oxygen Network

We've got more tickets to see The Wedding Singer on Broadway, just waiting to be seized by your grubby little hands. Details after the jump.

Brought to you by the moneybags at The Wedding Singer on Broadway, which the Wall Street Journal calls "a huge hit." For a limited time save 40% on tickets. Call Telecharge.com at 212-947-8844 and mention code WS945WB or click here to purchase tickets online.

To enter, just send an email to tips@gawker.com with the subject line Wedding Singer Contest before Monday, June 5. An email will be picked at random to win. By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules.

Free Stuff: See T Bone Burnett and Jakob Dylan at Town Hall

Jesse — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 16:24:08 EDT

Here we go again. Advertisers just lurve you guys, and so they want to know all about you. (Where'd you get such beautiful eyes? How come you're so charming? What are you doing later on tonight?) To get you to put out, they're happy to shell out — with a free pair of tickets to see T Bone Burnett with Jakob Dylan, opening tonight at Town Hall.

What do you have to do? It's all after the jump.

It's easy. Click here to take a quick survey. While you're taking it, keep track of how many questions are asked. (That's how we can know you actually finished the thing.) Then email tbone@gawker.com by 6 p.m. today with the total number of questions. Then we'll pick a single winner from the emails with the correct answers.

Who is this T Bone fellow, you ask? T Bone Burnett is one of America's most acclaimed songwriters/musicians and the producer of O Brother, Where Art Though?, Walk the Line, and Cold Mountain, and he has just released a new studio album, The True False Identity, and a 40-song retrospective spanning his entire career, 20/20 — The Essential T Bone Burnett. You can check out his music here.

And remember that by entering you agree to our standard contest rules.

Our Advertisers Would Never Drop Our Baby -- Plus Ticket Giveaway

Jessica — Fri, 19 May 2006 15:15:21 EDT

A teary thanks to this week's sponsors, who've helped us to learn how to properly use a car-seat. Interested in teaching us basic parenting skills? More info here.

• Hersheys
• Evian
• American Apparel
• BMW
• Possible Side Effects
• Travelocity
• Delta
• HSBC
• Gnarls Barkley
• WorkingToday.org
• Wedding Singer on Broadway
• Askewedview.com
• Walkmen
• Simon & Schuster
• Mini
• Honda Fit
• Hyperion Books
• Dead Man's Shoes
• Willie Mason
• The New School

Win a free pair of tickets to see The Wedding Singer on Broadway. Details after the jump.

Brought to you by the moneybags at The Wedding Singer on Broadway, which the Wall Street Journal calls "a huge hit." For a limited time save 40% on tickets. Call Telecharge.com at 212-947-8844 and mention code WS945WB or click here to purchase tickets online.

To enter, just send an email to tips@gawker.com with the subject line Wedding Singer Contest before Monday, May 22. An email will be picked at random to win. By emailing your entry, you agree to our Contest Rules.

The High-Stakes Ellies Pool: All Hail Big Berc

Jesse — Fri, 12 May 2006 17:20:25 EDT

Jeff Bercovici, the sharply dressed but nevertheless heterosexual media editor of Women's Wear Daily, won Gawker's High-Stakes Ellies Pool Tuesday night by correctly predicting winners in 10 of 22 National Magazine Award categories. Now officially known as the Most Accuratest Media Pundit in New York, Bercovici today accepted the remainder of his prize: The coveted Gawker Ellie, delivered over lunch at — where else? — Michael's.

We will now stop talking about this thing, at least until next year.

Earlier: Gawker's coverage of the Ellies.

The High-Stakes Ellies Pool: We Have a Winner

Jesse — Wed, 10 May 2006 16:24:09 EDT

Here it is, folks, the moment everyone — or, at least, Mark Whitaker — has been waiting for: The winner of Gawker's first-ever High-Stakes Ellies Pool, in which the assembled media-pundit masses competed for prizes and praise by picked who'd win each of the 22 National Magazine Awards.

Way should say up front that this was not an impressive showing. The wisdom of crowds, we discovered, was not so wise: The consensus predictions were only accurate in eight of the 22 categories. In four of the categories — Leisure Interests, Reporting, Feature Writing, and Profile Writing — not a single polled pundit picked correctly. Even the winner — who receives the coveted title of Most Accuratest Media Pundit in New York — got only 10 of 22 right.

And who is the Most Accuratest Media Pundit in New York? It's the Towering Inferno, friends: Women's Wear Daily media editor Jeff Bercovici.

Mazel tov, Jeff. Let us know when you're free for lunch, and we'll present you with your prizes, including the Gawker Ellie, above. After the jump, the final standings — and the final Excel spreadsheet.

Jeff Bercovici, WWD: 10
Greg Lindsay, Mediabistro and freelance: 8
Lisa Granatstein, Mediaweek: 7
Jon Fine, BusinessWeek: 7
Nat Ives, Ad Age: 7
Keith Kelly, New York Post: 6
Rachel Sklar, Huffington Post: 6
Dylan Stableford, Mediabistro: 6
Jon Friedman, MarketWatch: 5
Sara James, WWD: 5
Lockhart Steele, Gawker Media: 5
Gabe Sherman, New York Observer: 4

Full tally is here.

Ellie Madness: Introducing the Gawker Ellie

Jesse — Mon, 08 May 2006 13:35:42 EDT

We've got eight entries filed in the High-Stakes Ellies Pool, and at least a few more are on their way. Plus there's still more folks we're trying to guilt into participating. (Come on, Dumenco. What kind of Media Guy worthy of the name won't hazard a few guesses?) As an additional enticement, we're now pleased to introduce Gawker Ellie, above, the keynote prize for the winner. There will be other, intangible prizes — compliments, esteem — and even, perhaps, some additional tangible prizes. But Gawker Ellie is the real tribute to your prowess. She's an elephant, in tribute to the Calder stabile known as Ellie. She's floppy, because her muscles have atrophied from sitting in front of a computer all day. And she's sad-looking, because aren't we all a little sad? (Also: Stuffed elephants, harder to find than you think.)

Receive an entry form? Want to win Gawker Ellie? You've got till 5 p.m. today.

Earlier:
Ellie Madness Is Here: Introducing the High-Stakes Pool
Ellie Madness: It's Only Just Out of Reach, Down the Block, On a Beach

Ellie Madness: It's Only Just Out of Reach, Down the Block, On a Beach

Jesse — Fri, 05 May 2006 17:40:10 EDT

Our breath gets more and more bated and the countdown to Ellie continues, and, oh boy, is the tension rising. Big news today about the High-Stakes Ellies Pool. First, we've added five more eligible contestants, all of whom we obviously should have thought of initially: Kit Seelye, Julie Bosman, and David Carr from the Times, Sarah Ellison from the Journal, and HuffPost media editor Rachel Sklar. That's a total of 20 eligible contestants, and we'll do our best to hector as many as possible into participating.

So far we've got completed entry forms from WWD's Jeff Bercovici, the dynamic Mediaweek duo of Lisa Granatstein and Stephanie Smith, and MarketWatch macher Jon Friedman. And we've got coming-soon commitments from Mediabistro's Dylan Stableford, Ad Age's Nat Ives, and Paul Smith spokesmodel Greg Lindsay.

We're still waiting on the rest of y'all. We hear the Timespeople aren't allowed to participate — having a TV critic who barely watches TV is apparently no problem, but letting magazine people predict magazine awards is beyond the ethical pale. But we're still betting folks — especially the big kibitzers like Dumenco and Kelly and les Observeurs, Scocca and Sherman — can be convinced to participate.

After all, who doesn't like prizes?

Earlier:
Ellie Madness Is Here: Introducing the High-Stakes Pool?
Ellie Madness: Fun for Everyone

Ellie Madness: Fun for Everyone!

Jesse — Thu, 04 May 2006 18:16:32 EDT

Well, that was rude of us. Sure we're excited about our own Ellies pool. But we're equally that all sorts of offices around town are putting together their own pools, because of course everyone — everyone — has a raging case of Ellie fever. And so it seems only fair of us to provide for with an official entry form for your own Ellies pool. Change the deadline, if you'd like; eliminate certain categories, if you must. But we would appreciate if you'd keep the Official Gawker High-Stakes Ellies Pool tiebreaker:

If Men's Health wins an Ellie, which of the following terms will Dave Zinczenko use in his acceptance? (Pick all that apply.)
[] Abs
[] Carbs
[] Workout
[] Brand
[] "Fit is the new rich"
[] None of the above

Hell, you can even make that a side bet.

Official Ellies Pool Entry Form [PDF]
Earlier: Ellie Madness Is Here: Introducing the High-Stakes Pool

Ellie Madness Is Here: Introducing the High-Stakes Pool

Jesse — Thu, 04 May 2006 16:50:13 EDT

Can you taste it in the air? Feel the excitement swirling around you? Oh, you know what it is, kids: The National Magazine Awards will be presented next Tuesday night, and New York has a bad case of Ellie fever. It's the biggest night of the year for the industry, and all around town mag stars are bursting with anticipation. They're picking up their borrowed jewelry from Harry Winston, they're getting final fittings on couture gowns from Armani, they're getting ready to face Joan and Melissa Rivers as they walk down that famous National Magazine Awards red carpet on their way into the show.

To help build anticipation, we've introduced our first-ever High-Stakes Ellies pool. It's an invitation-only Ellies pool for the city's mag wags — the people who spend their days pontificating about magazines. We've invited 15 players: Tom Scocca and Gabe Sherman from the Observer, Jeff Bercovici and Sara James from WWD, Lisa Granatstein and Stephanie Smith from Mediaweek, New York's Carl Swanson, the Post's Keith Kelly, BusinessWeek's Jon Fine, Dylan Stableford from Mediabistro, Jon Friedman from MarketWatch, Nat Ives from Ad Age, and media men about town Simon Dumenco, Michael Wolff, and Greg Lindsay. (Did we miss you? Nudge us.) And we've promised gentle mocking of those who won't participate. Winner gets title of Most Accuratest Magazine Pundit in New York, credit on Gawker for the accomplishment, and some kind of actual memento we haven't yet figured out. (Lunch, maybe? A plaque?)

A play-along-at-home tally of players' picks will be available when we have it, and the complete invitation email is after the jump. It's Ellie time, baby! Oh yeah!

From: Gawker
To: Swanson, Carl ; Simon Dumenco ; Dylan Stableford ; Greg Lindsay ; Gabe Sherman ; Jeff Bercovici; Friedman, Jon ; Fine, Jon ; Kelly, Keith ; Lisa Granatstein ; Michael Wolff ; Nat Ives ; Sara James ; Stephanie D Smith ; Tom Scocca
Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2006 2:03 PM
Subject: The High-Stakes Ellies Pool

Gentlemen and ladies:

The National Magazine Awards will be presented next Tuesday night, as you undoubtedly know. As Ellie fever overtakes the nation, Gawker is introducing its first-ever High-Stakes Ellies Pool. Entrance is both free and by invitation only, and all the usual suspects are invited. (Did I forget anyone? Let me know.) The entry form is attached, and the deadline is Monday, May 8, at 5 p.m. What are the high stakes? Winner gets bragging rights as the very bestest magazine pundit, the rare gift of praise on Gawker for accomplishing the feat, and an as-yet-undetermined actual, physical prize, which will likely be elephantine in nature.

We do hope you'll enter. (And we reserve the right to mock — ever so slightly, and good-naturedly — those who do not.)

May the best wag win.

You Know You're a Better Cheat Than Kaavya

Jessica — Mon, 01 May 2006 10:10:01 EDT

Last week brought us a confession from sneaky Harvard sophomore Kaavya Viswanathan, who claimed that she was "influenced" by the works of Megan McCafferty, subconsciously transcribing word-for-word passages from those novels into the text of her own. Please — if you're going to cheat, at least be fucking good at it.

Thus the Morning News wonders not why people turn to plagiarizing (because real work is hard, of course), but "why aren't people better at plagiarizing?" An excellent question — if all one is doing is passing off another's words as one's own, you'd think the ease of such a task would provide ample room for the plagiarizer to acheive excellence in his or her method. And yet, we get stuck with Viswanathans who publish slapdash cut and paste jobs.

Inspired by the need for quality plagiarism, the Morning News announces its "Sloppy Seconds With Opal Mehta" contest. This is not for the recreational copy-cat: using no less than five different books, your entry must total 750 words, none of which are your own. You may not plagiarize single words, but actual phrases, sentences, or passages, and all your material must be cited.

To remind them that this was "the moment ethics in writing died," winners will have their story published on TMN and will receive a TMN mug, t-shirt, and a $500,000 two-book deal.

Steal This Book, and That Book, and That Book [TMN]

Free Stuff: See The New Cars Tonight

Jesse — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 16:00:22 EDT

It's like an advertiser-sponsored contest, but it's not sponsored. (No, we don't get it either. But quit asking questions; it's free.)

Let the good times roll... again. Win a pair of tickets to see The New Cars (Todd Rundgren, Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, Kasim Sulton & Prairie Prince) at a private show at The China Club tonight.

To enter, just send an email to newcars@gawker.com asap. The concert is tonight, so a winner will be picked at random later this afternoon. (And remember that by entering you agree to our Contest Rules.)