Toolbox Expands Battle-of-the-Bands Contest for USAA

Toolbox financial services client USAA kicked off its 4th annual Garage Band Playoff, a national competition open to aspiring musicians and songwriters of all ages. This marks the fifth time Toolbox Studios has been tapped to develop, design and implement the contest, and the fourth annual online iteration of the contest. The web site includes custom animations, band entry pages, and a separate voting site. The deadline to enter is Jan. 16, 2011. The bands chosen to compete will be selected shortly thereafter, with online voting beginning Feb. 25, 2011.

In years past the competition was aimed at USAA’s U-TURN teen demographic; 24 bands under 21 years of age battled it out, head-to-head, until a champion was crowned. This year, all ages are welcome to compete, provided one member of the band is a USAA member.

Judges are asking bands and solo acts to submit original songs that celebrate either: “cars, driving and the freedom of the open road” or “home and what it means to them.” The official contest rules are posted at the Garage Band Playoff website. No purchase necessary to win. The Grand Prize includes $4,000 cash, a professional photo shoot and a feature in USAA Magazine, a publication sent to more than 7 million readers nationwide.