Apple Canada is offering Canadian college students the chance to "Win What You Want," a contest that will allow the winner to select up to CN$5,000 in Apple merchandise as their prize. The contest is open "only to legal residents of Canada, who will be enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution in fall 2005 or are currently enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution," according to the official Rules and Regulations posted at the Win What You Want Web site.
Apple is cleverly using some viral marketing as part of the contest, by starting each entrantis prize pool at $2,500, and adding another $250 to that pool for each friend the entrant refers to the contest for a maximum of a $5,000 prize pool.
The company is also whetting appetites for Apple merchandise by allowing entrants to piece together their prize pool from the moment they enter. As your prize pool grows, or as your whim changes, you can adjust your prize pool as you see fit, thus keeping entrants focused on Apple products throughout the contest.
Apple is also offering 10 iPod shuffle units as secondary prize. The company will be giving away them away two per week.
Entries can be made at the contest Web site, where you can also find more information about the contest. Entries must be made by August 28th, 2005, and is open now.
Thanks to The Unofficial Apple Weblog for the heads up on the contest.
[Update: As of July 28th, 2005, the Win What You Want Web site is redirecting to Apple Canadais education site without explanation. When we get additional information, we will publish a follow up story.]