WASHINGTON, D.C.– PILOT, an innovation initiative of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), announced the 10 finalists of its first-ever PILOT Innovation Challenge. The PILOT Innovation Challenge recognizes creative ideas that leverage technological advances in the production, distribution and display of engaging content. Winners will be selected and announced October 31 at the NAB Futures conference.

Over 150 ideas were submitted to address the challenge question, “How might local television and radio broadcasters engage their communities with next generation content on any device, whether big, small or moving?” The first place winner will receive $20,000, second place $15,000 and third place $10,000 to assist with prototyping the concepts. Additionally, the top three winners will receive expert guidance, access to key broadcast executives and exclusive exposure at industry events, such as NAB Show New York and NAB Show.

“The PILOT Innovation Challenge showcases and helps develop creative ideas and solutions that have the potential to positively impact the broadcast industry and its consumers,” said Executive Director of PILOT John Clark. “Our 10 finalists have come up with a variety of proposed concepts to address this year’s challenge question. We’re excited to announce our finalists and ultimately decide the winners at NAB Futures.”

This year’s finalists are:

  • Broadcast Us
    Jeff Lin
    Broadcast Us is an online platform that allows users to produce, post and discuss their own high-quality news.
  • Chapters
    Brett Kenyon
    WJTV 12
    Chapters labels and categorizes streamed news stories into color-coded tabs, which allow users to jump to specific stories or build an individual newscast of only stories they want to see.
  • GeoTunes
    Ronnie Abolafia-Rosenzweig, Ky Cao, Reagan Healey, Ryan Kraus, Emily Marisa Luera
    Texas A&M University
    GeoTunes is a smartphone application that allows users to locate sources of inspiration for artists’ songs.
  • gNews
    Kiara Brisker, Rick Jenkins, Anthony (Nino) Pinneri, Hugh Tomasello
    University of Nevado Reno
    gNews is a geolocation based local news aggregate platform that enables communities to interact with breaking news stories in real-time through social media integration.
  • History Go
    Eric Asencio, Elise Hackney, Mike Le, Alberta Lin, Claire Lohn, Jordan Sales
    Texas A&M University
    History GO is an application that connects to user’s current location and utilizes augmented reality to display relevant facts, pictures and videos about the area.
  • In Your Shoes
    Robinne Burrell, Trina DasGupta
    Redflight Mobile Innovation
    In Your Shoes is an immersive storytelling platform that utilizes virtual reality to document the lives of multiple people involved in a single situation or issue.
  • Story Builder
    Retha Hill, Adam Ingram-Goble, Juli James
    PlayableMedia
    PlayableMedia’s Story Builder allows journalists to meet audiences on mobile devices and engage readers using the best practices of journalism and game design.
  • Lokita: A Hyper-Local Smart Content Concierge
    Chet Dagit, Mary Kate Dagit, Bruce Jacobson
    RTP-Lokita Solutions
    Utilizing FM radio, TV broadcast, and on-demand clips, Lokita provides broadcasters with a branded smart concierge application.
  • The News Call
    Chandra Clark
    The University of Alabama
    The News Call is DVR-type phone service that calls the user at a pre-determined time with pre-programmed customized news.
  • You Win
    Wayne Rasanen
    You Win allows 10 contestants to engage in live trivia competitions via voice-chat, FaceTime, Skype or other live video options.

Additional information about the PILOT Innovation Challenge is available here.

About PILOT
PILOT, formerly NAB Labs, is a coalition of innovators, educators and advocates dedicated to advancing broadcast technology and cultivating new media opportunities. PILOT propels broadcast television and radio into the future. It provides a platform for innovation, an engine for incubation, a venue for testing new technologies and a forum for broadcaster education. Learn more at www.nabpilot.org.

About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America’s broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.