Design a coin

Matthew Dent recently re-designed the UK’s coinage and in conjunction with this The Royal Mint has just launched a competition to design commemorative coins for the London 2012 Olympics. Entrants choose from 1 of 27 Olympic sports ( but not athletics or cycling, as these will be part of a Blue Peter competition), download a template and get designing. The competition is open until Friday 24th April and you can enter as many times as you like.

Winners will receive £1,000 and get to have their coin in circulation by 2010. The most interesting thing is that this is just a single example of a new growing trend of utilising the public to rebrand, redesign or innovate products and services. Walkers are probably the highest profile example, with the public not just suggesting but also choosing a new flavour of crisp for the brand.

I for one think it’s great. With the ever increasing adaptation of Social Media by all parts of society, this is just an example of businesses showing their willingness to listen to their customers. Long may it continue.