Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

By: Jennifer Saba Who knew that Howie Mandel could be a source of inspiration? GateHouse Media borrowed from the TV game show Deal or No Deal to initiate its own contest, Idea or No Idea. GateHouse, which just reported a soft Q3, is turning to employees to prime the revenue pump. Staffers are challenged to come up with the next concept to generate big revenue. For the effort, GateHouse will dole out $1 million to the winner.

GateHouse started taking submissions on Nov. 1. Regional directors will select ideas to implement across the company on a quarterly basis. If someone's submission brings in $50 million in "new bottom line revenue" by the end of 2010, that person wins.

Turning to employees for help is certainly not new, but GateHouse's sizable purse is unusual. Gannett started a contest of sorts in spring 2006 to coincide with the launch of its Center for Design and Innovation. Employees are encouraged to submit new business ideas. Gannett spokeswoman Tara Connell says the company has received about 1,000 ideas from every part of the company. One example is Gannett's recent acquisition of HighSchoolSports.net, which was an outgrowth of the ideas submitted.

Some checks have already been cut to Gannett employees. The amount? "More than $10, less than $1 million," Connell responds.