
[highlight]Entries for the 2017 USN Face of Fitness cover model search competition will open 1 September. [/highlight]
Making a name for yourself in any industry is no easy task, which is why Fitness Mag partnered with leading sports nutrition brand USN to launch the Face of Fitness cover search.
The USN Face of Fitness cover model search is a photo submission competition to uncover new fitness talent, and to ultimately choose a winner to grace the cover of Fitness magazine and become an Elite USN Ambassador.
What is USN looking for in the winning physique?
We look for a healthy, fit and athletic figure which is still feminine, and maintainable throughout the year. Not too muscular and extreme. Fitness magazine is marketed to women who want to improve their health, fitness lifestyles and physiques, therefore the cover model’s appearance needs to be aspirational and appealing to this market.
Apart from having a marketable look, what other qualities are USN looking for in a winner?
She has to be humble, goal-driven, approachable, dedicated to their fitness lifestyle, willing to inspire and assist others in their fitness journey. She has to be excited and proud to promote the USN brand, as it carries responsibilities.
What is expected of brand ambassadors?
A brand ambassador should embody the values of USN – they should be driven, committed to excellence, health-conscious and goal-driven. The ambassador’s lifestyle should portray these values through appearance, demeanour, values and ethics.
A brand ambassador is generally the first point of contact for people to the brand and as such their passion for the brand should be evident. They should always speak positively about health and fitness as well as our brand, and be looking to further the brand’s reputation in everything that they do. Social media posts should be regular, but still real and linked to their lifestyle so as not to seem forced.
In short, an ambassador needs to live the brand. They need to feel as if they are an integral member of the team and promote it as such.
What is expected of the winner?
The winner of the USN Face of Fitness competition wins a prize package of R120,000. This includes a sponsorship contract for 1 year from USN. Responsibilities will be outlined in the winner’s agreement with USN, and will include some show or event appearances, along with a few photoshoot responsibilities. Fitness magazine will also have at least 2 photo shoot opportunities with the competition winner throughout 2018.
The winner will be expected to sign a media publicity agreement with Fitness magazine and USN.
How does a sponsorship work?
It is important to understand that a sponsorship is not a donation or a free for all. A sponsorship is an agreement made between a company and an individual that will be mutually beneficial to both parties.
USN will support individuals with a monthly product allowance as well as expert nutritional advice in order to help the athlete achieve their personal goals whether it be performance or physique based.
The commercial gain obtained by USN will be in the form of public exposure for the brand and it is thus important that the athlete understands that their public persona will be representing the brand at all times through everything that they do.
A tiered system is employed by USN in order to provide value according to the value and impact of the exposure offered by the sponsored athlete. USN will then also help promote the athlete’s career through their own media platforms, giving the athlete a much broader reach.
Is there a future for me with USN after / outside of this competition?
Yes, there are numerous Face of Fitness athletes, both winners and non-winners who have gone on to become long standing national brand ambassadors for USN. Laura Danielz, Anna Wood, Angie Snyman, and Jenadine Havenga are just a few of the names that were not winners of the competition but have gone on to become national ambassadors for USN and also massive influencers in the fitness industry.
How do I enter?
Online entries for the 2017 cover search will open 1 September 2017. It’s a simple process of uploading your photos and completing the form online.
Do I have to submit professional photos?
No, you don’t, but it is an advantage if you do.
For us to see your physique properly it’s best to have professional lighting in the photos and to ensure that photos are taken in the correct environment. It also shows us that you have put in a great deal of effort to prepare for this competition, which tells us a lot about your personality and your aspirations.
Do I need to wear a bikini?
No, but you do need to wear outfits that show as much of your physique as possible. Crop tops and hot pants are acceptable, but outfits that completely cover your mid-section and legs are not appropriate.
On what basis do you disqualify entries?
We disqualify entries if they do not truthfully represent your current physique. If your photographer does editing of photos you must also submit the original unedited images. We will make every effort to inform entrants of possible problems, so we will communicate with you if there is an issue on the photos that you submit.
Fitness magazine also reserves the right to disqualify entrants for inappropriate social media behaviour.
Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions of entering this competition.
How do I know if my entry details and photos are correct.
If you have uploaded your photos and completed the online entry form, then you can assume that everything is correct and the photos you have supplied are in order. If your images are not appropriate or suitable for online, then our office will communicate with you.
Why is my entry not online?
In our best efforts we try and upload entries to the website as we receive them. With the number of entries increasing as we reach the closing date, turnaround time for entries to appear online could take up to 72 hours (excluding weekends).
Your entry will also not appear online if you have not supplied all the correct photos, and agreed to the terms and conditions for entering this competition.
I already have a sponsor, how does this affect my entry?
You may enter this competition regardless of any other existing sponsorship. However, to be eligible to win the USN Face of Fitness, you can not be sponsored by any brand that conflicts/competes with USN. If you want confirmation, please contact info@fitnessmag.co.za for more information. (For example: Apparel and beauty products are fine)
How do I know if you’ve received my entry?
Your entry form and images are completed and uploaded online. The website will confirm with you if they have all been uploaded successfully. A day or two following your upload, our Fitness Mag office will also send you a confirmation email.
If you have not received a confirmation email within 5 working days after submission, please check back with us via email or contact (011) 791 3646. Please note that we will not upload any entries to the website in the competition if they do not meet certain criteria, which are: Completed entry form, Physique Photos, head and shoulders photo.
It’s my birthday after / before closing date.
This competition is open for 18-45 year old females. You need to be between these ages at any date between the entry dates. (e.i. If you turn 46 after you’ve submitted your entry (and it’s before entry closing date), it will still be included)
Feel like you have more questions? Then email usnmodel@fitnessmag.co.za and we’ll answer it!