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For more than a year, I’ve been working with colleagues and community members to
develop a pretty cool new program. For the 4 years I’ve been at the LEGO
Company, my task has been to work together with colleagues and fans to bridge
the void between them. To try to connect colleagues with fans, and bring the
fans into the company.
It’s working.
In fact, it’s working so well, that I’m getting a bit overwhelmed. You certainly
recall that we invited a group of AFOLs into the LEGO Factory design process
(http://news.lugnet.com/lego/?n=2588). We’ve also invited groups of fans into a
number of other projects in the last couple years, and in 2004 that number leap
up. In 2005 it looks like that number is going to grow even further. Each time
we work on one of these projects, it’s a new NDA. It’s a new selection of fans.
It’s a new introduction into the company for them.
So in the last year, I’ve been asking myself: “What happens if we had a group of
people who were already under NDA? What if there is a group of fan
representatives that could work side-by-side with LEGO employees? What if that
group of representatives is also able to bring up issues from the community
directly with the right people in the company?”
So with extraordinary amounts of help from a group of AFOLs and support from
many colleagues internally, the LEGO Ambassador Program was born.
The LEGO Ambassadors will be a small group of fans who have applied and been
accepted into the program. They will represent the best and the brightest AFOLs
on the planet. Sort of a Top Gun of LEGO! To help clarify, I’ve broken down some
FAQs:
What is the LEGO Ambassadors Program?
The LEGO Ambassador Program is a community based program made up of adult LEGO
hobbyists who share their product and building expertise with the world-wide
LEGO community (kids and adults actively participating in a LEGO community) and
the public (kids, parents, grandparents), as well as the LEGO Company. LEGO
Ambassador’s mission is to help provide inspiration for LEGO builders of all
ages and from all parts of the world. All LEGO Ambassadors members are expected
to exemplify the program fundamentals of building proficiency, enthusiasm, and
professionalism towards the public, other fans and the LEGO Company.
How are Ambassadors chosen?
Selection is based on a written application (see below), that outlines why the
candidate feels s/he should be accepted. It’s a subjective process based in no
small part on participation and contribution to the LEGO community. This could
be in the form of great events, forum postings that help other fans out, club
organization, enthusiasm about building AND sharing with LEGO elements. But
while the selection is subjective, all selection will be based on the program
fundamentals of building proficiency, enthusiasm, and professionalism towards
the public, other fans and the LEGO Company.
Are LEGO Ambassadors employees of the LEGO Company?
No. LEGO Ambassadors are not LEGO Company employees. LEGO Ambassadors contribute
to the LEGO Fan community without the promise, expectation, or receipt of
compensation. The LEGO Ambassadors Program is an officially recognized community
based program of the LEGO Company. In fact, it’s important to note that a
closer, more formal relationship with the LEGO Company doesn’t exclude negate
the abilities of Ambassadors to speak freely, even critically on LEGO subjects.
Ambassadors are not TLC spokespersons, but instead trusted allies.
If I’m chosen, how long will I be an Ambassador?
Every Ambassador has to reapply every cycle (a cycle is 6 months). An Ambassador
might be in the program for 2 years, but everyone re-applies every 6 months.
How many Ambassadors are there?
To start, the first cycle will be a smaller, “test” group of 10-15 Ambassadors.
Once we’ve worked out the kinks in the first cycle, the program will be about
30-40 Ambassadors.
Please understand that this first cycle is the “guinea pig cycle”… we’ll likely
find tons of problems (and hopefully matching solutions). But the first group of
Ambassadors will be the trailblazers… and the road might be a little bumpy.
Is this worldwide?
Yes, this is a worldwide program. Of course, it’s based on applications and not
recruitment, so if no one from South America applies, for instance, there’s no
chance that South America will be represented. The goal is to have both the best
talent from the community as well as a representative distribution among
countries.
What do the LEGO Ambassadors get?
In exchange for participating in the LEGO Ambassador program, likely benefits
might include (but haven’t yet been finalized): * Ability to use the LEGO
Ambassadors logo in email/forum post footers and in other contexts * Pre-launch
product information * Access to LEGO Company via mailing list and/or quarterly
conference call with various groups inside the company * Access to the private
LEGO Ambassadors community forums * Invitations to participate in top-secret
projects * Invitations to participate in local LEGO marketing events
…and a range of other things I’m working on now. This list will likely grow over
time.
As an Ambassador, what do I need to agree to do?
LEGO Ambassadors agree to be active contributors to the LEGO world-wide
community by engaging in activities such as:
- Engaging in fan-to-fan support in online forums
- Actively participating with local LEGO clubs, or forming LEGO clubs if none exist locally
- Posting feedback, guidance, and other types of support in their favorite online communities
- Writing articles for publication online and offline
- Presenting LEGO building subject matter at events and conferences, as well as local user group meetings
Basically: Do more of what you’re doing already.
Additionally, we’d hope that Ambassadors will actively work together with the
LEGO Company on projects that may arise.
Does this cost money?
No. This is a free program, you don’t need to pay to join. You will also not be
paid for services, and are not considered to be employees of the LEGO Company.
How do I join LEGO Ambassadors?
A person interested in being a member of LEGO Ambassadors should send an email
to ambassadorprogram@lego.com with the
following information: * A detailed list of places where you contribute to the
LEGO community (online and offline) * Links to your personal Web site and/or
LEGO creations galleries * An overview of your offline LEGO activities * Other
information that helps show you’re “community mindedness”
This email IS your application, so make it a good email. :) We’ll likely receive
many applications from many qualified individuals; unfortunately, not all
applicants can be accepted into LEGO Ambassadors. LEGO Ambassadors spots are up
for review every six (6) months, so if you aren’t accepted you can always
increase your community efforts and re-apply. In fact, I hope you do.
We will be sending out invitations to join by 31 January. Again, this is very
much a work in progress idea. The first Ambassadors will help define the program
for the future. The trailblazers will most certainly experience a few road bumps
along the way, but at the end, I’m quite positive that we’ll have a terrific
community program where, as I always say “Everybody goes home happy”.
Looking forward to seeing a ton of applications in my inbox!
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Development
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In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
| |
For more than a year, I’ve been working with colleagues and community members
to develop a pretty cool new program. For the 4 years I’ve been at the LEGO
Company, my task has been to work together with colleagues and fans to bridge
the void between them. To try to connect colleagues with fans, and bring the
fans into the company.
It’s working.
In fact, it’s working so well, that I’m getting a bit overwhelmed. You
certainly recall that we invited a group of AFOLs into the LEGO Factory
design process (http://news.lugnet.com/lego/?n=2588). We’ve also invited
groups of fans into a number of other projects in the last couple years, and
in 2004 that number leap up. In 2005 it looks like that number is going to
grow even further. Each time we work on one of these projects, it’s a new
NDA. It’s a new selection of fans. It’s a new introduction into the company
for them.
So in the last year, I’ve been asking myself: “What happens if we had a group
of people who were already under NDA? What if there is a group of fan
representatives that could work side-by-side with LEGO employees? What if
that group of representatives is also able to bring up issues from the
community directly with the right people in the company?”
So with extraordinary amounts of help from a group of AFOLs and support from
many colleagues internally, the LEGO Ambassador Program was born.
The LEGO Ambassadors will be a small group of fans who have applied and been
accepted into the program. They will represent the best and the brightest
AFOLs on the planet. Sort of a Top Gun of LEGO! To help clarify, I’ve broken
down some FAQs:
|
This seems like a great idea Jake!
snip
| |
How many Ambassadors are there?
To start, the first cycle will be a smaller, “test” group of 10-15
Ambassadors. Once we’ve worked out the kinks in the first cycle, the program
will be about 30-40 Ambassadors.
Please understand that this first cycle is the “guinea pig cycle”… we’ll
likely find tons of problems (and hopefully matching solutions). But the
first group of Ambassadors will be the trailblazers… and the road might be a
little bumpy.
Is this worldwide?
Yes, this is a worldwide program. Of course, it’s based on applications and
not recruitment, so if no one from South America applies, for instance,
there’s no chance that South America will be represented. The goal is to have
both the best talent from the community as well as a representative
distribution among countries.
|
So an Ambassador represent a geographical area then? How would the number of
Ambassadors be broken down, would it be one person in each major metropolitan
area One in each country?
I know that probably details such as this have not been fully worked out yet,
but I still wanted to ask...
Jeff VW
snip
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Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Development
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In lugnet.lego, Jeff Van Winden wrote:
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Is this worldwide?
Yes, this is a worldwide program. Of course, it’s based on applications and
not recruitment, so if no one from South America applies, for instance,
there’s no chance that South America will be represented. The goal is to
have both the best talent from the community as well as a representative
distribution among countries.
|
So an Ambassador represent a geographical area then? How would the number of
Ambassadors be broken down, would it be one person in each major metropolitan
area One in each country?
|
Sorry, clearly I didn’t explain that one very well at all.
What I was saying as a couple of things:
1. We’re not “recruiting” for the Ambassador spots, so we’re not going to be
creating a fully geographically represented group of people. The idea is to pick
the best. That might mean that there’s a stronger weighting towards one country
versus another simply because there’s so many great builders there.
2. If no one from a certain country applies for the program, we’re not going to
have anyone from that country in the program.
3. Our hope is that we have an applicant pool from all over the world - which
would lead to a diverse group. But if only Canadians apply, for instance, we’ll
only have Canadians in the program.
Does that make more sense?
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Development
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In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
<snip>
>
> 3. Our hope is that we have an applicant pool from all over the world - which
> would lead to a diverse group. But if only Canadians apply, for instance,
> we'll only have Canadians in the program.
>
> Does that make more sense?
>
> Jake¬
> ---¬
> Jake McKee¬
> Community Liaison¬
> LEGO Community Development
Who wants a group with just all Canadians??? Bunch of polite "Sorry you stepped
on my toes" toque wearing, Tim Horton coffee drinking, hockey missing
apologists!!
Dave K
-I nominate Jeff VW--can we actually nominate or vote for our ambassadors?
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In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
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In lugnet.lego, Jeff Van Winden wrote:
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So an Ambassador represent a geographical area then? How would the number of
Ambassadors be broken down, would it be one person in each major
metropolitan area One in each country?
|
Sorry, clearly I didn’t explain that one very well at all.
What I was saying as a couple of things:
1. We’re not “recruiting” for the Ambassador spots, so we’re not going to be
creating a fully geographically represented group of people. The idea is to
pick the best. That might mean that there’s a stronger weighting towards one
country versus another simply because there’s so many great builders there.
2. If no one from a certain country applies for the program, we’re not going
to have anyone from that country in the program.
3. Our hope is that we have an applicant pool from all over the world - which
would lead to a diverse group. But if only Canadians apply, for instance,
we’ll only have Canadians in the program.
Does that make more sense?
|
That makes perfect sense!
It sounds like a good way to choose people.
Although I wonder if some may discoruaged to apply, because they feel they are
not the best of the best.
Jeff VW
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Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Development
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In lugnet.lego, Jeff Van Winden wrote:
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Although I wonder if some may discoruaged to apply, because they feel they
are not the best of the best.
|
And this is a good time to make a point: Being an Ambassador isn’t ONLY about
creating the best MOCs the world has seen. It’s about being a great Ambassador
(literally). It’s about putting on great events, being a good spokesperson for
the hobby, it’s about starting and building clubs, it’s about helping to usher
new fans into the hobby.
It’s about the program fundamentals (all of them) of building proficiency,
enthusiasm, and professionalism towards the public, other fans and the LEGO
Company.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Development
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In lugnet.lego, David Koudys wrote:
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-I nominate Jeff VW--can we actually nominate or vote for our ambassadors?
|
Nope, application only. And the ultimate descision is made by the LEGO Community
Development Team. (After the first cycle, when the program is up and running,
there will almost certainly be substansial help from the current Ambassadors...
but not sure how that would work yet).
That said, including references in your application is certainly a good idea. So
are pictures. Or media clips.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Development
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In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
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That said, including references in your application is certainly a good idea.
So are pictures. Or media clips.
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Great, NOW he tells us...
Well, at least I dropped names. ;)
Kelly
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In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
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The LEGO Ambassadors will be a small group of fans who have applied and been
accepted into the program. They will represent the best and the brightest
AFOLs on the planet.
|
You’re starting this program now, even before Brendan gets to the New Testament
and illustrates the calling of the disciples?!
Actually, it sounds like a great idea. I just wish I was worthy of the calling!
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In lugnet.lego, John Cooper wrote:
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In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
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The LEGO Ambassadors will be a small group of fans who have applied and been
accepted into the program. They will represent the best and the brightest
AFOLs on the planet.
|
You’re starting this program now, even before Brendan gets to the New
Testament and illustrates the calling of the disciples?!
Actually, it sounds like a great idea. I just wish I was worthy of the
calling!
|
Yep, I’m feeling a little inferior myself, looking at the talent pool of the
AFOL community as represented here on LUGNET.
Eh, I’ll support where I can in the way I can.
All the best with this endeavour!
Dave K
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In lugnet.lego, David Koudys wrote:
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Actually, it sounds like a great idea. I just wish I was worthy of the
calling!
|
Yep, I’m feeling a little inferior myself, looking at the talent pool of the
AFOL community as represented here on LUGNET.
|
I think it’s important to point out that acceptance will be based on more than
building skill alone. Ambassadors will be chosen for their “all around” skill.
If you think you would be interested in the program, have the time to parcipate,
and feel that you bring something positive to the community, please don’t
hesitate to apply.
It’s funny... in all my years in the community, I’ve never once heard any AFOL
say “Yeah, I’m a pretty dang good builder”. That includes the best builders on
the planet. I guess we all tend to underestimate our building skill.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Development
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In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
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It’s funny... in all my years in the community, I’ve never once heard any
AFOL say “Yeah, I’m a pretty dang good builder”. That includes the best
builders on the planet. I guess we all tend to underestimate our building
skill.
|
Except me. I suck. Really. Ask anybody. Why do you think I stick with building
LEGO web sites instead of LEGO MOCs?
Kelly
(I see Steve Barile’s fingers itching to reply. Bring it on!)
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In lugnet.lego, Kelly McKiernan wrote:
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In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
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It’s funny... in all my years in the community, I’ve never once heard any
AFOL say “Yeah, I’m a pretty dang good builder”. That includes the best
builders on the planet. I guess we all tend to underestimate our building
skill.
|
Except me. I suck. Really. Ask anybody. Why do you think I stick with
building LEGO web sites instead of LEGO MOCs?
Kelly
(I see Steve Barile’s fingers itching to reply. Bring it on!)
|
Well, I’m not Mr. Barile, but I play him on TV...
If that’s true, Kelly (and I sorta doubt it is), then you show the perfect
example of being able to do amazing things for the community and not be a great
builder.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Development
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In lugnet.off-topic.fun, Jake McKee wrote:
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In lugnet.lego, Kelly McKiernan wrote:
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In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
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It’s funny... in all my years in the community, I’ve never once heard any
AFOL say “Yeah, I’m a pretty dang good builder”. That includes the best
builders on the planet. I guess we all tend to underestimate our building
skill.
|
Except me. I suck. Really. Ask anybody. Why do you think I stick with
building LEGO web sites instead of LEGO MOCs?
|
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If that’s true, Kelly (and I sorta doubt it is), then you show the perfect
example of being able to do amazing things for the community and not be a
great builder.
|
*blushes*
OK, perhaps not “suck” at MOCs, but I’m definitely not anywhere near the same
league as the big boys and girls around here. Nosebleed section, that’s me. I do
find it interesting that I like building things about things that you use to
build with. I just need to finish stuff, that’s my problem.
But my 10-year-old son is definitely more creative with the bricks than his
old man, boy howdy.
Kelly
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(snip)
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If that’s true, Kelly (and I sorta doubt it is), then you show the perfect
example of being able to do amazing things for the community and not be a
great builder.
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*blushes*
OK, perhaps not “suck” at MOCs, but I’m definitely not anywhere near the same
league as the big boys and girls around here. Nosebleed section, that’s me. I
do find it interesting that I like building things about things that you use
to build with. I just need to finish stuff, that’s my problem.
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Kelly, ya never know when the Lego Ambassadors will need a website... ;)
Scott Lyttle
(who loves the Ambassador idea, but really doesn’t have the time to put into
it...)
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