Just Widgets Blog

See below for the email Sony Pictures is sending out to the 10,000 finalists of The Quest. Congratulations to all who played. Note the video “thank you” message from Sir Ian McKellen with its subsequent plug for the movie AND merchandise. Now I just have to figure out if it makes sense to compete for the final prize because with the prize’s travel and hotels totaling about $100K - consider the tax consequences of that? If the winner didn’t sell at least some of the merchandise or even some of the trip (is it even possible to sell some or all of the travel package?), he or she would actually loose money.

From: The Da Vinci Code Quest <davincicodequest@sonypictures.com>
Mailed-By: sonypictures.com
Reply-To: The Da Vinci Code Quest <davincicodequest@sonypictures.com>
Date: May 15, 2006 10:12 PM
Subject: FINALIST - The Da Vinci Code Quest on Google

Your journey does not end here. You have also qualified to compete for the grand prize which includes trips for four to New York, Paris, Rome and London, a colossal Sony® Electronics package and more valued at over $100,000! See official rules. Beginning on or around 1pm EDT May 19th at www.google.com/davincicode, the final challenge, which is a time trial, will be made available to you for 48 hours. You can begin whenever you like, but prepare well, for once you begin there is no turning back. The player who completes all five tasks in the shortest amount of time will be declared the winner. As for your previous accomplishments, your skill and perseverance will be rewarded with a limited edition replica cryptex arriving in your mailbox in the coming days. While you wait, Click here to watch a congratulatory message from Sir Ian McKellen and a sneak peek of The Da Vinci Code and then continue on to view special offers and discounts from our Quest partners.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited by law. Open only to legal residents located and residing in the 50 United States and D.C., 13 years or older as of 4/17/06. Phase 1 of Contest ends at 1:00 pm EDT on 5/11/06. Final Phase of Contest ends at 1:00 p.m. EDT on 5/21/06. Eligibility, prize and travel restrictions apply. Contest subject to Official Rules. For rating reasons, go to FILMRATINGS.COM, MPAA.ORG. Parents, please refer to PARENTALGUIDE.ORG. ©2006 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | See official rules | See Prizing | Google is a trademark of Google Inc. © 2006 Sony Pictures Digital Inc. All rights reserved. Sony Pictures Webmaster C/O Sony Pictures Digital 9050 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232-2518