We have a number of ways to reward sponsors and provide the return on investment they are looking for.

Here is just a brief list of how we will be giving our sponsors the exposure they deserve for being a part of this ground-breaking real-time web reality show:

• :10 commercials at the end of each audition
• bottom third banners on each audition
• advertisements on the show’s website
• placement on the Top Affiliate Challenge t-shirt
• :10 commercials during the show’s episodes
• product placement during the show
• email signature advertisements
• radio commercial placement
• newsprint placement
• media release inclusion
• immunity challenge sponsorship
• team sponsorship
• parting gift sponsorship
• far too much more to mention!

I want Top Affiliate Challenge to be a multi-season experience.  It is VERY important to me that our sponsors experience a good return on investment when they back this show.

If you are interested in taking part in this unique opportunity, please email me at service@topaffiliatechallenge.com for more information.

Binary.Net is Lincoln’s leading data co-location center.  Binary will be handling all of the domain reservation requests from our contestants during the show.

In addition, they will be hosting all of the contestants’ websites and providing technical assistance.  If you are looking for a top-notch co-location center that is knowledgeable, reliable, and trustworthy, Binary.Net is your best bet!

Everyone knows that Top Affiliate Challenge would not be possible without sponsors who provide the financial backing, products and services we need.

I am pleased to report that our first sponsors will be coming online soon.

We are in the final stages of negotiation for a banner affiliate network sponsor.  This is a HUGE opportunity that we have floated to CPA Empire, Azoogle Ads, Pepperjam Network, and Shoemoney Capital. 

Our designers are busy building the audition system as we speak.  The only question left is where will we host our video?  That sponsorship is still up for grabs!

On Friday I had a meeting with the Lincoln Mayor’s Economic Development representative to discuss the possibility that Top Affiliate Challenge could brand Lincoln, NE as a technology destination city.

Seriously, Lincoln has a TON to offer businesses and entrepreneurs.  The city has a very active culture base, there are great clubs and theatres, the University adds a spice to the Downtown environment and there are lots of great paying jobs to be had.

The trouble is that Lincoln is often eclipsed by Omaha when the word “Nebraska” comes up.  It will make it considerably easier for the show to find local sponsors if the Mayor’s office endorses our business plan.

The preliminary meeting went for about an hour, and everyone left the room excited.  Special thanks to City Councilman John Spatz for arranging the meeting.

Next week we will try to get together with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development and the State’s Visitor and Convention Bureau to gain additional support!

What would a real-time affiliate challenge reality show be without an affiliate network sponsor?

We have been in contact with two different affiliate networks in the past week and both have responded with interest to the concept of the show.

This week we hope to obtain a soft commitment from a banner affiliate network sponsor, as well as organize a meeting with the Lincoln Council on Economic Development.

One thing that TNIM lacked was local support and a local following outside those sponsors who were directly involved with the show.  It will make our job of attracting sponsors to fund the show much easier if we enjoy the support of our local government and the “official” business community.

Top Affiliate Challenge poses a unique opportunity for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska to position itself as an internet marketing destination.  The city is similar in size to Loveland, CO - the location that TNIM was filmed in.  Colorado is seeing a boom in Internet marketing as many professional marketers are relocating to the state.

Lincoln could enjoy the same status - especially when people see all of the amenities the city has to offer.  It is truly the best of both worlds.  Small town charm and big city options make Lincoln a perfect place to film the show!

The Next Internet Millionaire was the web’s first attempt at reality entertainment.  At the time this was written, more than 491,000 people have watched at least one episide of TNIM.

There is no doubt that Joel Comm and Eric Holmund’s ground-breaking efforts pushed the envelope and advanced the idea that the web could be used to exclusively distribute serialized entertainment.

There were a lot of things that worked well for TNIM, and some that did not.  The Top Affiliate Challenge web reality show is not attempting to “out-do” or “one-up” TNIM.

We do want to IMPROVE on what was accomplished on TNIM and create an entertaining, informative, and fast-paced show that will keep you glued to your computer screen waiting for more.

While many of the details are still under wraps, the biggest difference between the Top Affiliate Challenge and TNIM is that this show will be filmed and realesed in REAL TIME.  This will allow our audience to participate with the teams as they work through various tasks.  In fact, the audience will be able to help push the team of their choice over the top!

There will be an audition process for this show, and we will ask those who audition to submit a video to us.  TNIM caught a lot of flack for playing fast and loose with the audition process, and we do not intend to make the same mistake.  There will be rules for submitted videos, and those who do not conform to those rules will not be accepted.

There is a saying that the pioneers always take the arrows.  Thank you Joel and Eric for pioneering this entertainment genre on the web.  Hopefully by following the trail you blazed, the Top Affiliate Challenge will build upon your success!