OLYMPIA – In an effort to make learning more fun while supporting local business in Thurston County, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) joins OBEE Credit Union and other local partners in announcing the Jan. 21, 2011 launch of the “Capture The Tag” contest. “Capture the Tag” was created by OBEE Credit Union to promote local commerce and educate participants about finances, fraud and saving money in a fun way. “Capture The Tag” is a competition utilizing social media, Microsoft Tag software and personal smart phones in a scavenger hunt-like competition to win cash prizes and iPads.
Tags – a type of barcode that once “captured” links the user to information online - will be located at various businesses throughout Thurston County. Once a Tag is captured on the smart phone at a business, an informational video will play. Participants also will receive the next location to visit for their next Tag. Some businesses will have Tags that play a financial education video, and if the participant downloads all 10 education videos they can be entered to win one of five Apple iPads.
“We’re always looking for new ways to put financial education into the hands of Washington residents,” DFI Director Scott Jarvis said. “This project lets us do that, literally, using something that’s already part of most residents’ daily lives: their phone. ‘Capture The Tag’ also promotes local businesses in Thurston County, and that’s a good thing, especially in this economy.”
Once participants have collected and download all Tags (20 business, 10 education) they are eligible to enter to win the following prizes (participants must be present at the grand finale celebration to win):
- First Place: $10,000
- Second Place: $3,000
- Third Place: $2,000
- One of five Apple iPads
“We want to both engage and challenge Generation X and tech users to socially connect offline, as well as online, in pursuit of some nice rewards,” Lee Wojnar, Vice President of Marketing for O Bee Credit Union added. “In the process, they’ll get an introduction to some area businesses, they’ll get some personal finance lessons, and in the end, they’ll get a chance to come together at a great party, where they could win some very attractive prizes. While we have built in some nice incentives, there are plenty of opportunities for fun and knowledge along the way.”
Details, including rules and restrictions, for the “Capture The Tag” competition is online at www.CaptureTheTag.org. More information about Microsoft Tag can be found at tag.microsoft.com.