2008/09 President's Circle Challenge 

January 3, 2009

Thank you to each of the 50 FIRST teams who submitted videos for the 2008/09 President's Circle Challenge, and special congratulations to:

Winner
FRC Team 195
Nickname: Cyber Knights
Southington High School, Southington, CT
View video

Finalist
FRC Team 2587
Nickname: DiscoBots
Lamar High School, Houston, TX
View video

Finalist
FRC Team 1816
Nickname: The Green Machine
Edina High School, Edina, MN
View video

All teams who submitted videos to the FIRST President's Circle Call for Videos on YouTube are now members of the 2009 FIRST President's Circle.

View all of the President's Circle video submissions.

May 30, 2008

Greetings to all FIRST teams:

At the 2007 Championship, YouTube founder Chad Hurley and I announced the formation of the President’s Circle. We asked teams to produce a YouTube video on how they help recruit and support rookie teams, and you responded with energy and creativity. I’d like to again thank all the teams who made our inaugural year a success.

And now it’s time for the 2008/09 President’s Circle.

This year’s challenge asks you to put the power of advertising to work for FIRST. Here’s how it works:

Develop an Internet Ad

• Teams should develop a 30 or 60-second video/TV ad that will persuade students to start a FIRST team. What do you think is the right message to convince students to start FIRST teams? 
• Your ad should be targeted to the audience you’re trying to persuade to start a FIRST team. For example, if you’re an FLL team, target your ad to FLL-age kids; FRC teams target their ad towards high-school students, etc.

Post Your Ad on the FIRST You Tube Channel by December 1, 2008 

• View President Paul R. Gudonis' video on YouTube and use the "Post a Video Response" function to submit your ad.
• Please title it  “<PROGRAM> Team <NUMBER> 2008 President’s Circle” (please include your program and team number in the title of the ad, e.g. "FRC Team 5017 2008 President’s Circle"). 
• If you have additional questions related to creating or posting videos, please consult YouTube’s online support.

Get Your Ad Placed Everywhere

• Work with local broadcast media to get your ad placed as Public Service Announcements (PSAs).
• Be creative in getting your ad as much exposure and visibility as possible.
• More visibility means more new FIRST teams.
• A panel of FIRST judges will decide the best video/TV ads. 

The winning video will be announced and shown at the 2009 FRC Kickoff on Saturday, January 3.

Good luck to all the FRC, FTC, FLL, and Jr.FLL teams.

Paul R. Gudonis
FIRST President