AVID Soccer Announces 2007 Shoot Out Schedule

Palmdale, CA, March 30, 2007 --(PR.com)-- AVID Soccer is soliciting products for testing for review throughout the year. Manufacturers should provide at least two examples of a product to ensure that a defect in one does not skew the results of the test. Additionally, care instructions, a standard marketing package and other relevant material may be provided for inclusion.

Several Shoot-Out tests are planned for the coming year as well as the annual AVID Soccer Awards (http://blog.avidsoccer.com/categories/Awards.aspx). Shoot-outs are head to head comparisons of competitive products. Criteria for the shoot-out will be slightly different than that used in general reviews. All products tested during a shoot-out will receive a standard review as well as inclusion in the shoot-out article.

2007 Shoot-out Schedule

Comparison, Publication Date, Product Due Date
Training Level Ball, 2nd week of June, 12-May-2007
Match Level Ball, 4th week of June, 12-May-2007
Recreation Level Kit/Uniforms, 2nd week of July, 09-June-2007
Club Level Kit/Uniforms, 3rd week of July, 09-June-2007
Goal Keeper Kit, 4th week of July, 09-June-2007
Goal Keeper Gloves, 2nd week of August, 14-July-2007
Boots, 3rd week of August, 14-July-2007

AVID Soccer Awards, 3rd week of December, 21-September-2007
NOTE: Nominations due by 24-August-2007

Submissions by manufacturers:
• Manufactures are encouraged to provide products for review
• Submitted products are typically tested within three week and reviews are posted one to two weeks later
• Reviews can be held or accelerated to coordinate with product releases or marketing campaigns
• Submitted products are eligible for the annual AVID Soccer Awards
• Testing under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is available for pre-release products
• Manufacturers wishing to provide product should contact their test lead directly at mailto:reviews@avidsoccer.com

Benefits to manufacturers:
• Comparison of products against competitors
• Third-party reviews made available through links, publication or PDF
• Pre-release reviews for publication on launch date
• Objective feedback on new products
• Advertising channel with no monetary commitment
• Feedback channel allowing both manufacturer and customer to add comments
• Participation in the annual AVID Soccer Awards

Products submitted by retailers
• Retailers are encouraged to provide products for review
• Reviews can be held or accelerated to coordinate with product releases or marketing campaigns
• Retailers wishing to provide product should contact their test lead directly at mailto:reviews@avidsoccer.com

Benefits to retailers
• Provide a value-added service to customers through links or republication of reviews
• Use reviews of new products as a promotional tool
• Ensure review content matches carried products
• Coordinate discounts/sale of product bundles based on AVID Soccer articles (e.g. Coaching Equipment list http://www.avidsoccer.com/coach_rec.htm)
• Products provided at a discount to AVID Soccer may include the retailer as a "Retailer of the Year" nominee, but does not guarantee inclusion 

Purchased products
• AVID Soccer may test products purchased by readers, testers or AVID Soccer
• Products may be purchased at reader request
• Products may be purchased to evaluate their potential impact
• Others are purchased for comparison to previously reviewed products
• Occasionally, AVID Soccer may purchase products for “Shoot out” reviews
• NOTE: AVID Soccer purchases equipment from a variety of sources, both on-line and traditional. All retail experiences are noted by the AVID Soccer team and may be used for future reviews and for the "Retailer of the Year" nominees. Multiple purchases will be made through nominees to ensure an objective and comprehensive measurement.

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