| A Note from Carly; Director of Innovator Relations |
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Dear Innovator,
Hotspex is thrilled to bring more surveys your way this year then ever before, guaranteed to keep you busy all year round!
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Spending more time inside this time of year because of bad weather? Trying to save over the winter months? Perfect! The next few months at Hotspex will be busy, busy, busy, and we'll have PLENTY of surveys to occupy your time and add a little something to your BUX bank.
Here's a sneak peek of what's coming up over the next few months:
- We didn't forget about you! Over the December holidays we received emails from a few of you reminding us that you were receiving less surveys than usual. Not to worry. In general, the market research industry slows down over the holidays. Like you, many brand executives and research gurus are on vacation and spending time with their families. But not to worry...we're back! And so are our clients, so check your email inboxes regularly for emails from me - Carly! And if you haven't added me to your email safe list, please do so to ensure you never miss a survey from us.
- We're introducing a new 'All About You' survey! Hmmm..."What's so exciting about that?" you may be asking. Well, without giving too much away, this new survey will be the first of its kind. An experience that introduces you to the Hotspex city, and takes you on a journey through our city. On your journey you'll see your house from space, learn if you're left- or right-brained, and learn all of the words that can be made by jumbling up the letters in your name. Interested? Intrigued? It's coming soon!
- Surveys, surveys, and more surveys! This year promises to be busier than ever at Hotspex. Check your email inbox regularly for our latest inventive surveys on all kinds of HOT topics. As always, we'll be looking to you to bring us your expert opinions on these fun and exciting topics.
Carly's Winter poll - Considering everything that you've heard about the economy lately, will your spending habits change in 2009?
*Based on the opinions of 633 Hotspex Innovators.
Please enjoy this newsletter, and as always, keep innovating!
Carly,
Director of Innovator Relations
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| Featured Story |
Counting Down the 5th Annual Hotspex 'Worst Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids'
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Alright Innovators – it's that time once again! Time to announce the annual 'Worst Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids'. After more than 10,000 naughty toy ideas submitted in our annual survey, we've calculated the top 10. Were your toy ideas included in the final list? Read below to find out! Didn't participate in this survey? No problem - read the ideas submitted by your fellow Innovators for a good laugh!
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10. A PC – the actual guy from the commercials
9. OJ Simpson Fan Club membership
8. A pet baby elephant
7. Sarah Palin 'Geography for Dummies' book
6. Reindeer jerky
5. A pet Ba-Rock
4. Re-mastered Top Gun movie with John McCain as 'Maverick'
3. Finding Nemo sushi kit
2. Apple iPoo
1. Wii Wee – Peeing in the Snow Video Game
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| Hotspex News |
Hotspex Innovators Give Dimetapp their Two Cents
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If you're a parent whose child has had a cold this winter, you've likely taken a trip to the local pharmacy to purchase cold medicine. It's here where you may have seen the new Dimetapp Children's Cold Medicine packaging. In fall of last year, over 2,200 parents on the Hotspex panel picked their favorite new packaging among a group of 5 designs. |
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Among other things, our expert parents rated the designs on their appeal, their uniqueness, and how likely they were to purchase the product based on its packing. The winner, as shown above, is kid-friendly packaging that parents claim appears 'trusting', 'well-informative', and 'likeable'.
Thanks to you Hotspex Innovators; you've yet again influenced another great product on the market!
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Hotspex Featured Charity: Water for People
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| Did you know…around the world 884 million people do not have access to safe drinking water and 2.5 billion are without adequate sanitation facilities? Did you know…that every day, nearly 6,000 people who share our planet die from water-related illnesses, and the vast majority are children? |
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Water for People, a charity that helps people in developing countries improve their quality of life by supporting the development of locally-sustainable drinking water resources, has been selected by Hotspex as this quarter's featured charity. If we were all able to donate even 1 Hotspex BUX to this charity over the next few months, we could personally be responsible for improving and maybe even saving hundreds of lives. Help Hotspex make this goal a reality!
To donate your Hotspex BUX to this valuable cause and others, please visit the Hotspex Charity XChange. |
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Packed with Christmas Cheer!
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In the spirit of the Christmas season, the team at Hotspex took the afternoon of December 18th to spread some holiday cheer by packing toys and food for Salvation Army's annual toy drive to help needy kids. This has become a fun tradition for the whole staff, being the third year in a row they have contributed to this worthy cause. Shane Skillen, President and Founder of Hotspex, commented on the importance of giving back to these kids in need, "This has become a tradition in our office that many of us look forward to. It's one small way of giving back to the community, even if it's just for an afternoon."
Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and 113 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. For more information about The Salvation Army please visit www.salvationarmy.ca.
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Hotspex Research Analyst Claire sorts cereal at the Toronto Salvation Army Food & Toy Distribution Center.
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| Exclusive Newsletter Contest |
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Answer this simple question to be entered into an exclusive contest to WIN $100 CASH! (Here's a tip: the answer can be found in this newsletter!)
Question: How many years has the Hotspex staff gone toy packing at the Salvation Army?
Submit your answer
(If you can't enter the contest, please log in to your Hotspex account and then click the link again.)
Congratulations to Fall's Exclusive Newsletter Contest winner Marion! Marion won $100!
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| Rate this Newsletter |
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Okay Innovators – here's your chance to tell us how we're doing. Share what you liked and disliked about this newsletter! Just for rating the newsletter we'll enter you into a random draw for $100. Please be as honest as possible with your rating.
Rate this newsletter |
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| Prize Winners |
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Name: The Man
Prize Won: 8GB Apple iPod Touch
Quote: Thanks so much Hotspex! Winning prizes is just the cherry on top for such a fun website! |
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Name: Kerri
Prize Won: $500
Quote: Wow! What can I say? All my time and effort has paid off. Thanks a lot Hotspex! This has seriously made my day!! |
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Name: Doom
Prize Won: Playstation 3 80GB
Quote: I can't believe I actually won this. Everyone tells me I was wasting my time. But now they can see it was all worth it! |
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Name: Lynda
Prize Won: Apple MacBook 13-inch
Quote: I am absolutely stunned at my good fortune! I can't thank you enough. Also, my husband and I won't have to compete to use the computer anymore. My 8-year-old will also be able to use it for schoolwork in the coming years. |
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| HotPot Winners |
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Name: Tony
Date: December 2008
BUX Won: 106,273 BUX
Charity: Ronald McDonald House Charities
Quote: Wow, it's kind of hard to believe I won the Hotspex Hotpot! But I sure am glad I did. I've never really won a lottery, so I guess this is a good start! Thanks Hotspex!!
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Name: Kentuckychickrk
Date: November 2008
BUX Won: 90,796 BUX
Charity: Ronald McDonald House Charities
Quote: I am thrilled beyond words to have actually won the HotPot this past month! I can't tell you how wonderful it feels and how helpful those BUX will be in the future. Thank you Hotspex for this amazing gift!
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Name: Dust
Date: October 2008
BUX Won: 148,385 BUX
Charity: The Salvation Army
Quote: I'm so excited to win this! I can't remember the last time I won something! I'm glad half goes to a great charity too! Thanks for having fun surveys and awesome prizes at Hotspex! What a great surprise!
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Name: ut2301
Date: September 2008
BUX Won: 105,795 BUX
Charity: The Salvation Army
Quote: You really get the sense that behind each survey is a group of people that actually care about what they're doing and the individuals that they're interviewing. So for that, thank you Hotspex!
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| Hotspex Tip |
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| Not sure if you are receiving Hotspex email? Add Carly@Hotspex.com to your email safe list to ensure you never miss a survey invite! |
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