Through a partnership with mtvU, MTV’s 24-hour college network, Billboard is establishing a new feature to be written exclusively by college students. A co-sponsored Student Voice contest will offer those writing for school papers and magazines, blogs or recreationally the chance to author the co-branded mtvU and Billboard “Student Eye” column, set to debut in March 2006.
College students nationwide are encouraged to respond to three music-related questions posted on mtvU.com. Writers submitting the most insightful answers will be invited to participate in an ongoing Finalist Competition Term, where their essays will be published on mtvU.com and Billboard.com.
The burgeoning writers’ works will be judged by top industry insiders, and winners will be selected to write an installment of Student Eye. Tamara Conniff, co-executive editor of Billboard magazine, and Christina Norman, President of MTV Networks, are two of the judges confirmed to participate in the Student Voice contest. Additional judges are to be announced.
“We’re looking forward to offering some of today’s most promising college writers a presence in Billboard and on the newly re-launched Billboard.com, as well as serving as ‘virtual mentors,’ helping the students to further hone their music journalism skills,” says Conniff. “The Student Eye column will be a wonderful complement to the host of new features we’re offering music fans.”
“mtvU was designed as a platform where college students can have their talents and accomplishments recognized on a national level, and we’re excited to extend that platform all the way into one of the world’s premiere music publications,” adds Stephen Friedman, GM, mtvU. “College students are prophesying the future of music today, and through this partnership with Billboard, we’ll be able to help unearth and cultivate some of tomorrow’s top music writers.”
Click here for details, official rules, submission guidelines and a Student Voice Contest entry form. In addition to being published on mtvU.com and Billboard.com, finalists will also receive a one-year subscription to Billboard magazine. Submissions will be accepted through Jan. 30, 2006, and finalists will be alerted by Feb. 11.
