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It seems like only days ago that the first Ambassador cycle was launched, but
it’s been a bit over six months. In order to be able to meet with the first
cycle at BrickFest, we pushed the first cycle a bit past the standard six month
period. Hey, there’s a reason I’ve been calling the first group the “guinea pig
cycle”!
In the first cycle, it took a while to get the program worked into the shared
consciousness of the company, and we’re quickly getting to a point where
colleagues are thinking about how to work with the Ambassadors without any
prompting from me.
In this first cycle, the Ambassadors accomplished quite a bit, especially
considering the introductory nature of this first cycle:
• Establishing the LEGO Ambassadors in the minds of the company, and working
with me to develop the program
• Input into several top-secret product design
projects for 2007 and beyond
• Input into the development process of the LEGO
Inside Tour
• Develop of Ambassador newsletter to help share info about the
community with the company (specifically the product designers)
• Conference
calls with the Shows and Events team in Enfield
• Early info about several new
products
• Direct questions of the Ambassadors from Jorgen Vig, the LEGO CEO
My heartfelt thanks to the Ambassador team for all their hard work and wonderful
feedback. Ambassadors, you’ve made a big impact on the company and on the
community. Your voices have been loud and carried far.
But seeing as the first cycle is coming to a close, it’s time to open up the
application process again. I’ll be accepting applications until 31 August and
will announce the new cycle of Ambassadors on 1 September. Details of the
program are below, as are application instructions. Also, a general note: we
will be expanding this cycle to at least 20 Ambassadors rather than 15 in the
first cycle. If you’ve applied in the past but not been accepted, you’ll need to
send your application email again (hopefully updated with your latest
activities).
Again, thanks very much to the first cycle Ambassadors. You’ve done great things
in the last few months.
Looking forward to seeing a ton of applications in my inbox!
Jake
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Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Development
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What is the LEGO Ambassadors Program?
The LEGO Ambassador Program is a community based program made up of adult LEGO
hobbyists. The mission of the LEGO Ambassador Program is to develop
a tighter bond between the LEGO Group and the LEGO Community, by
forming a trusted relationships with a select group of the leaders
of the adult LEGO community.
All LEGO Ambassadors are expected to exemplify the program fundamentals of
product and community enthusiasm, professionalism towards the public and other
fans, and building proficiency.
How are Ambassadors chosen?
Selection is based on a written application (see below), that outlines why the
applicant 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 creating great events, forum postings that help other fans
out, organizing a local club, enthusiasm about building, sharing with LEGO
elements, or a range of other qualifications.
But while the selection is subjective, all Ambassador selections will be based
on the program fundamentals of product and community enthusiasm, professionalism
towards the public and other fans, and building proficiency.
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 Group. In fact, it’s important to note that a closer,
more formal relationship with the LEGO Group 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 re-apply 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?
The first cycle had 15 Ambassadors, but the second round will be at least 20
Ambassadors.
Is this a worldwide program?
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, benefits may
include:
• Ability to use the LEGO Ambassador logo in email/forum post footers and in
other contexts
• Pre-launch product information
• Invitations to participate in top-secret projects
• In-depth access to LEGO Group project teams
• Access to the private LEGO Ambassadors community forums
• Invitations to participate in local LEGO marketing events
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 Group.
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 be sure to spend some time developing it.
We’ll likely receive many applications from many qualified individuals;
unfortunately, not all applicants can be accepted into the LEGO Ambassador
Program. 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, it’s highly encouraged.
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In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
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But seeing as the first cycle is coming to a close, it’s time to open up the
application process again. I’ll be accepting applications until 31 August and
will announce the new cycle of Ambassadors on 1 September. Details of the
program are below, as are application instructions. Also, a general note: we
will be expanding this cycle to at least 20 Ambassadors rather than 15 in the
first cycle. If you’ve applied in the past but not been accepted, you’ll need
to send your application email again (hopefully updated with your latest
activities).
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“Bloody Jay”, a user at Classic-Castle, has reported that the email address
specified is still stating that “At this time, we are not accepting applications
to the program”. Looks like you didn’t synchronize your watches at LEGO HQ ;)
I am excited to (eventually) see what the first cycle of Ambassadors were
involved in, and to read who will be involved in this next cycle.
~Kevoh
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In lugnet.lego, Kevin Blocksidge wrote:
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“Bloody Jay”, a user at Classic-Castle, has reported that the email address
specified is still stating that “At this time, we are not accepting
applications to the program”.
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Yeah, my mistake - forgot to update the auto-reply! Thanks for the heads up.
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Looks like you didn’t synchronize your watches
at LEGO HQ ;)
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Totally my fault, buck stops here. :)
Jake
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Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Team
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In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote:
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In lugnet.lego, Kevin Blocksidge wrote:
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“Bloody Jay”, a user at Classic-Castle, has reported that the email address
specified is still stating that “At this time, we are not accepting
applications to the program”.
|
Yeah, my mistake - forgot to update the auto-reply! Thanks for the heads up.
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Looks like you didn’t synchronize your watches
at LEGO HQ ;)
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Totally my fault, buck stops here. :)
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So should the folks that got the old auto-reply re-email their applications?
~Kevoh
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In lugnet.lego, Kevin Blocksidge wrote:
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So should the folks that got the old auto-reply re-email their applications?
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No need. The auto-reply is just an email generated after I receive something in
my inbox. I’ve received everything sent, you just got the wrong text in the
auto-reply.
Jake
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Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Team
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(Spotlighted!!).
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