SXSW Bingo is a fun way to meet the internet famous, sharpen your powers of observation and take silly photos while you are visiting Austin. It's a game you play with a camera phone and Twitter to win fabulous prizes like a Kindle 2, from your friends at Harvest.
You'll need a gadget (iPhone, Blackberry, or just a regular ol' digital camera) that takes photos and a SXSW Bingo Board. You'll also need a Twitter account and access to Twitpic (both of which are free services). A healthy sense of humor is not required, but highly recommended.
You can download a SXSW Bingo board at SXSWBingo.com You can also track down any of the gentlemen from Iridesco at SXSW, who will be handing out fancy Limited Edition SXSW Bingo Boards. They can be found easily. Just pick out the best looking lads at the festival. To gather their whereabouts, follow the guys on Twitter: @dannyw, @bjhess, or @evilprguy
Throughout your daily movements at SXSW, you will no doubt see many interesting things and meet many interesting people. You may also elect to wear a Snuggie and play video games in your hotel room, but hey, that's out of our hands. Have you ever seen 'Rear Window'?
Your SXSW Bingo board has 25 squares, and each square has a person, item or scenario you might encounter while at SXSW. Take a photo that illustrates the square, and upload this photo to Twitpic with the hashtag #SXSWBingo in your tweet. Each time you have Tweeted and tagged a photo, mark that square as filled. When you have filled 5 squares in a row (or column or diagonal), Tweet Bingo! to #sxswbingo. We also recommend screaming 'Bingo!' as loud as possible wherever you currently are.
The hash-tag hand sign was first spotted on the Internets on March 6th, 2009. The creator is said to be one Brian Solis. Rumor has it there will be multiple sightings of this symbol during your SXSW experience; you should not mistake it for a gang sign nor fear for your safety when flashed this symbol. At worst, expect more followers.
There are only a few simple rules for SXSW Bingo.
You can only win one prize (e.g. win the $50 Amazon Gift Card and forego your chance to win the Kindle 2). Let other people experience the sweet nectar of victory. Choose your prize wisely!
All photos must be taken between March 13 and March 17 in Austin Texas. Don't think we won't know. We know how to use the internet too.
Tag all your tweets with #SXSWBingo, otherwise we'll never see them. If your Tweet is missing the tag, it isn't part of the game.
We will be using TwitPic and Twitter to verify your entries and the time of submission, so keep on top of it!
Have fun and be creative.