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NAB Pilot Challenges Broadcast Innovators to Leverage Tech to Serve Communities

Knight Foundation will underwrite development of winning ideas

WASHINGTON � NAB Pilot has announced the 2017 Pilot Innovation Challenge. This year�s question asks: �What is an unconventional way broadcasters and other local media could serve communities?�

�The goal of the Pilot Innovation Challenge is to identify and develop creative ideas that help broadcasters better serve their respective communities,� said Pilot Executive Director John Clark.�

More specifically, the challenge is looking for �ideas that leverage technological advances in the production, distribution and display of engaging content,� according to the announcement.

Participants are required to submit a title, descriptions of their proposed concept, illustration and a simple business case explaining the concept�s viability by the Sept. 22 deadline. The submission must address the challenge question and will be evaluated for its creativity, value proposition it holds for both broadcasters and consumers, in addition to its viability.

Projects will be evaluated by a panel of judges including local broadcasters, academics, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and other media-related entities. Winners will be announced during NAB Futures conference, Nov. 12-14 in Palo Alto, Calif.�

Winners will also be given financial support to help develop these ideas, in conjunction with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which is investing $200,000 to support this challenge and another that will be conducted next year, which will focus �on uncovering local projects that serve communities� needs,� according to the announcement.

�Television and radio have an essential role to play in informing communities in the digital age,� said Karen Rundlet, Knight Foundation program officer for journalism. �Through this year�s Pilot Innovation Challenge, we hope to discover projects that truly deliver news, high quality journalism and civic information to local audiences.�

The call for entries was opened during the Digital Futures Exchange at NAB Show in April.

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