Pitching to Skittles

[MohaimenK]

So I've had this idea working w/ Skittles for a LOOONG time and hopefuly after my 5D comes in this week I should be able to do the shoot sometime in the next few weeks. Now here's my issue, I'm going to send the picture to Skittles to see if they'd use it for their advertising but what's the best way to protect myself and idea from them stealling it??

 

[Mustlovedragons]

I learned a painful such lesson. First, ask them if they are accepting or interested and what their submission guidelines are. Actually, if you send samples, send samples of OTHER promo work (not Skittles-related). Quality translates across products so if you can do "WOW!" for one product, you can do it for theirs.

I sent to a company who was using really crappy photos, samples of what I could do with their product (which, though I realize is tooting my own horn, was way cooler, lol). I never heard anything at all. No "yes", no "no", nothing. Well, three months later all of their photos were changed to similar to what I had done. What can I do? Nada.

 

[edouble]

I learned a painful such lesson. First, ask them if they are accepting or interested and what their submission guidelines are. Actually, if you send samples, send samples of OTHER promo work (not Skittles-related). Quality translates across products so if you can do "WOW!" for one product, you can do it for theirs.

I sent to a company who was using really crappy photos, samples of what I could do with their product (which, though I realize is tooting my own horn, was way cooler, lol). I never heard anything at all. No "yes", no "no", nothing. Well, three months later all of their photos were changed to similar to what I had done. What can I do? Nada.

Good information, I like your concept on this topic.

 

[MohaimenK]

Thanks! Yeah I'm doing this for fun but then thought since I'm using skittles, why not use it? After reading the law, I guess they can't use the image itself but do what the other company did to you, use the concept and send it to you. I guess another thing I can do is have skittles have it in writing that they will not use my concept and if they do, I would get the credit for it

 

[Scatterbrained]

Since you would be soliciting them to purchase you're services I'm pretty sure you can't just send them a "shrinkwrapped" contract. Hopefully you'd get an agreement before submitting your idea. Either way I don't think you'd have much of a leg to stand on if they took the idea and ran with it without consulting you.

 

[MohaimenK]

Since you would be soliciting them to purchase you're services I'm pretty sure you can't just send them a "shrinkwrapped" contract. Hopefully you'd get an agreement before submitting your idea. Either way I don't think you'd have much of a leg to stand on if they took the idea and ran with it without consulting you.

Unless I kindda told them what it was, the gist of it. But of course not the total idea. Basically would say "I have an idea which will involv bla bla bla doing bla bla bla" and if they like to see the photo have an agreement signed. Who knows? That's an idea I guess

 

[Scatterbrained]

Well, technically, you've got nothing to lose but time for trying. . .. . :cheers:

 

[Big Mike]

Unless I kindda told them what it was, the gist of it. But of course not the total idea. Basically would say "I have an idea which will involv bla bla bla doing bla bla bla" and if they like to see the photo have an agreement signed. Who knows? That's an idea I guess

That's an Idea...but remember that you're dealing with a big, big company here.
The parent company is Mars Inc. "6th largest privately-held company in the United States". They likely don't take submissions from 'the public' when it comes to their marketing material.

Maybe you could find out who does their marketing...maybe it's done in-house but maybe it's not. You could go directly to whatever firm is in charge of that account and see what they have to say.

Buy hey, You'll never know unless you try. So if you believe in it, go for it.

 

[kundalini]

Copyright protection........

Bonus: Interview with Copyright Attorney Ed Greenberg | Photoshop User TV

 

[MohaimenK]

Thanks Kundalini and Mike you're right. Although checking www.skittles.com I just saw something very interesting. They have people submit stuff and if they like it, they put it on th eir website. Check it out. Not sure if I wanna go that route though. But yeah we'll see after I'm done w/ the image