Rock the Mic — Official Rules

Rock the Mic — Official Rules, Terms & Conditions

A talent search to find the next on-air morning co-host on 101.7 The Wall.

Sponsor: TOTIB Media, Inc., Geneva, NY
Effective Date: May 4, 2026

Please read carefully. By submitting an entry, uploading an audition video, attending an audition, or otherwise participating in the Morning Show Search (the “Contest”), you agree to be bound by these Official Rules, Terms & Conditions (the “Rules”). If you do not agree, do not enter.

1. Sponsor & Contest Overview

The Contest is sponsored by TOTIB Media, Inc. (“TOTIB,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), a media company based in Geneva, New York. The Contest is a skill-based talent search to identify a candidate to be offered an on-air position as a morning show co-host on 101.7 The Wall. The Contest is not a sweepstakes and does not involve a prize awarded by chance.

2. Eligibility

To enter, you must:

  • Be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of entry;
  • Be a current legal resident of the Finger Lakes region of New York State, including the counties of Ontario, Seneca, Yates, Wayne, Cayuga, Schuyler, Tompkins, Steuben, Livingston, Monroe, and contiguous counties (collectively, the “Eligibility Region”). TOTIB reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, whether an entrant resides within the Eligibility Region;
  • Be legally authorized to work in the United States;
  • Not be a party to any exclusive employment, broadcast, talent, or representation agreement that would prevent you from participating in the Contest or accepting the prize;
  • Not be an employee, officer, director, contractor, or immediate family member of any of the foregoing of TOTIB or any judge, sponsor, or affiliated entity participating in the Contest.

Void where prohibited by law.

3. Contest Period & Key Dates

The Contest will run for an indicative period of approximately two (2) to six (6) weeks, beginning on the date entries open and ending when a winner is announced or the Contest is otherwise concluded. Specific dates for entry deadlines, finalist rounds, and the winner announcement will be posted at 1017thewall.com/rockthemic and may be updated from time to time. TOTIB may extend, shorten, or restructure the Contest Period in its sole discretion.

4. How to Enter

To enter, complete the entry form available at 1017thewall.com/rockthemic and upload an audition video meeting the requirements in Section 5. Limit one (1) entry per person. Multiple entries from the same individual may, in TOTIB’s discretion, be disqualified. Entries must be the entrant’s own original work and must not infringe on any third party’s rights. Entries become the property of TOTIB and will not be returned.

5. Audition Video Requirements

Each entrant must submit a single audition video as part of their entry. By uploading a video, the entrant represents and warrants that:

  • The video is the entrant’s own original creation, recorded by or on behalf of the entrant specifically for the Contest;
  • The entrant is the only person appearing or audibly speaking in the video, or, if any other person appears or is heard, the entrant has obtained that person’s written consent to be filmed and to have their image, voice, and likeness used as described in these Rules;
  • The video does not contain any copyrighted music, audio, video, images, trademarks, or other third-party intellectual property unless the entrant has obtained all necessary licenses and permissions, and the entrant agrees to indemnify TOTIB against any claim arising from such use;
  • The video does not contain content that is obscene, profane, indecent, defamatory, harassing, threatening, hateful, sexually explicit, or that depicts or promotes violence or illegal activity;
  • The video does not include any minor (a person under 18) in any visible or audible capacity;
  • The video does not include the audio or imagery of any private location or third party recorded without consent.

TOTIB may, in its sole discretion, reject any video that does not meet these requirements or that TOTIB determines is otherwise unsuitable, without further explanation.

By submitting a video, the entrant grants TOTIB all rights described in Sections 11 and 12 below with respect to the video and any portion of it.

6. Judging & Selection Criteria

Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges selected by TOTIB. Judging is subjective and will be based on factors including, but not limited to:

  • Vocal quality, clarity, and microphone presence;
  • On-air personality, energy, and likability;
  • Apparent on-air chemistry with the existing morning show co-host;
  • Local appeal and connection to the Finger Lakes community;
  • Reliability, professionalism, and communication during the Contest;
  • Ability to follow direction and adapt to feedback;
  • Compliance with these Rules and the standards described in Section 8.

The Contest may include multiple rounds, including initial video submissions, in-person or remote callbacks, on-air segments, and finalist appearances. TOTIB may eliminate entrants at any stage. Judges’ decisions are final and binding in all matters relating to the Contest. No entrant has any right to be advanced to a subsequent round or to be selected as the winner.

7. Prize

The prize is an offer of at-will, part-time employment with TOTIB as a morning show co-host, with hours not guaranteed and subject to scheduling needs. Specific compensation will be discussed with the selected entrant during the offer process. The offer is contingent on:

  • Successful completion of standard TOTIB onboarding, including I-9 employment eligibility verification and W-4 submission;
  • Any background check TOTIB elects to conduct, where permitted by law;
  • Execution of TOTIB’s standard offer letter and employment-related documents, including content, intellectual property, and conduct policies;
  • Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.

The prize has no cash equivalent and is non-transferable. TOTIB reserves the right not to award the prize if, in its sole discretion, no entrant is suitable. Selection as the winner does not create an employment contract for any specific duration; employment, if commenced, will be at-will and terminable by either party at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law. Participation in the Contest is not compensated, and entrants will not receive any payment, stipend, reimbursement, or other consideration for entering, auditioning, or appearing in any Contest round.

8. Conduct & Content Standards

Throughout the Contest, entrants agree to:

  • Comply with all applicable laws, including Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) rules governing broadcast content, indecency, sponsorship identification, and political programming;
  • Refrain from content that is obscene, profane, indecent, defamatory, harassing, threatening, hateful, sexually explicit, or that promotes violence or illegal activity;
  • Refrain from content that infringes the copyright, trademark, publicity, privacy, or other rights of any third party;
  • Refrain from undisclosed promotion of any product, service, or business in which the entrant has a financial interest;
  • Conduct themselves professionally toward TOTIB staff, judges, other entrants, and the public;
  • Disclose any conflicts of interest, including relationships with TOTIB staff, judges, advertisers, or competing media organizations.

TOTIB may edit, delay, bleep, or decline to broadcast or publish any Contest material at its sole discretion, and may use a broadcast delay during any live segment.

9. Release of Liability

BY PARTICIPATING, EACH ENTRANT, ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR HEIRS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, SUCCESSORS, AND ASSIGNS, RELEASES, DISCHARGES, AND HOLDS HARMLESS TOTIB, ITS PARENT, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, OWNERS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, AGENTS, JUDGES, SPONSORS, ADVERTISERS, BROADCAST AFFILIATES, VENUE PROVIDERS, AND THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS OF EACH (COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASED PARTIES”) FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, COSTS, EXPENSES, AND LIABILITIES OF ANY KIND — WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, FORESEEN OR UNFORESEEN, IN LAW OR IN EQUITY — ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THE ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION: PERSONAL INJURY (INCLUDING DEATH), PROPERTY DAMAGE, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, REPUTATIONAL HARM, CLAIMS RELATED TO THE USE OF THE ENTRANT’S NAME, IMAGE, LIKENESS, VOICE, AUDITION VIDEO, OR PERFORMANCE, CLAIMS RELATED TO THE BROADCAST OR PUBLICATION OF CONTEST CONTENT, AND CLAIMS RELATED TO THE SELECTION OR NON-SELECTION OF ANY WINNER.

This release applies to the maximum extent permitted by law and survives the conclusion of the Contest. Some jurisdictions do not permit the release of unknown claims; to the extent applicable, the entrant expressly waives any such limitation.

10. Indemnification

Each entrant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, actions, proceedings, damages, losses, fines, penalties, judgments, settlements, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to:

  • The entrant’s breach of these Rules or any representation or warranty made by the entrant, including the representations made in Section 5 regarding the audition video;
  • Any content, material, statement, performance, or audition video submitted, made, or performed by the entrant in connection with the Contest, including any claim that such content infringes, violates, or misappropriates the copyright, trademark, publicity, privacy, defamation, or other rights of any third party;
  • Any FCC fine, forfeiture, or regulatory penalty assessed against TOTIB as a result of content that the entrant introduced, performed, or said on-air, except to the extent such content was scripted, directed, or specifically pre-approved in writing by TOTIB;
  • The entrant’s negligent or willful misconduct, or violation of any law or regulation, in connection with the Contest;
  • Any third-party claim arising out of the entrant’s participation in the Contest or the audition video.

TOTIB reserves the right, at its own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by an entrant, in which event the entrant will cooperate with TOTIB in asserting any available defenses.

11. Image, Likeness & Performance Release

By entering, each entrant grants TOTIB and its successors, assigns, licensees, and designees the perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide, fully paid-up, sublicensable, and transferable right and license to use, reuse, record, publish, republish, broadcast, rebroadcast, transmit, retransmit, stream, distribute, reproduce, edit, alter, modify, excerpt, combine with other materials, and otherwise exploit the entrant’s:

  • Name, voice, likeness, image, photograph, video, audio, biographical information, statements, and performance;
  • The audition video submitted by the entrant, in whole or in part;
  • Any other submission, audition material, on-air segment, social media content, or other material created or contributed by the entrant in connection with the Contest;

in any and all media now known or hereafter developed, including but not limited to terrestrial broadcast, streaming, satellite, internet, mobile, social media, podcasts, advertising, marketing, promotion, and commercial use. This grant includes the right to use the foregoing after the conclusion of the Contest, regardless of whether the entrant is selected as the winner. The entrant waives any right to inspect or approve any use of such materials, and waives any right to royalties or other compensation arising from such use.

The entrant represents and warrants that they have the full right and authority to grant the rights set forth in this Section, and that no third-party consent is required.

12. Content License

To the extent any content created by an entrant in connection with the Contest, including the audition video, constitutes a “work made for hire” under U.S. copyright law, such content is hereby deemed a work made for hire owned by TOTIB. To the extent any such content does not so qualify, the entrant hereby irrevocably assigns to TOTIB all right, title, and interest, including all copyright and other intellectual property rights, in and to such content, with no further compensation owed. The entrant further waives any moral rights, droit moral, or similar rights in such content to the maximum extent permitted by law.

13. Confidentiality

Entrants agree not to disclose, publish, or discuss publicly (including on social media): (a) the deliberations or comments of judges, (b) other entrants’ submissions or audition materials, (c) any non-public information about TOTIB’s business, operations, personnel, or strategy that the entrant learns in connection with the Contest, or (d) the terms of any offer or settlement extended by TOTIB. This obligation continues during and after the Contest.

14. Publicity

By entering, each entrant agrees that TOTIB may publicly identify the entrant as a Contest participant, finalist, or winner, and may use the entrant’s name, hometown, audition video, photograph, voice, and likeness for promotional purposes related to the Contest and TOTIB’s business, without further compensation, notice, or approval, except where prohibited by law.

15. Privacy

TOTIB collects personal information from entrants in connection with the Contest, including name, contact information, and the audition video. This information will be used to administer the Contest, communicate with entrants, evaluate entries, and as otherwise described in TOTIB’s privacy policy at www.fingerlakesdailynews.com/privacy-statement/. By entering, the entrant consents to such use.

16. Modification, Suspension, or Cancellation

TOTIB reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, suspend, extend, shorten, restructure, or cancel the Contest at any time and for any reason, including without limitation if TOTIB determines that the Contest cannot be conducted as planned, that an insufficient number of qualified entries has been received, or that fraud, technical failure, or any other factor beyond TOTIB’s reasonable control has compromised the integrity of the Contest. TOTIB may also change these Rules at any time by posting an updated version at www.fingerlakesdailynews.com/rock-the-mic-rules/; continued participation after such posting constitutes acceptance of the updated Rules.

17. Disqualification

TOTIB may, in its sole discretion, disqualify any entrant who: (a) violates these Rules; (b) provides false or misleading information; (c) submits an audition video that violates Section 5; (d) engages in conduct that TOTIB determines, in its sole discretion, is harmful to the Contest, TOTIB, other entrants, or the public; (e) attempts to interfere with the Contest; (f) becomes ineligible after entry; or (g) for any other reason TOTIB deems appropriate. Disqualified entrants forfeit any right to advance, win, or receive the prize.

18. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Rules are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to the Contest or these Rules that is not resolved through good-faith negotiation shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Ontario County, New York, and each entrant consents to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts.

EACH ENTRANT AGREES THAT ANY CLAIM SHALL BE BROUGHT SOLELY IN THE ENTRANT’S INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH ENTRANT WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING.

Each entrant’s recovery shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with entering the Contest, and in no event shall any entrant be entitled to recover attorneys’ fees or any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages.

19. General Provisions

  • Severability. If any provision of these Rules is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.
  • No waiver. TOTIB’s failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of that provision.
  • Entire agreement. These Rules, together with any entry form, release, or supplemental rules referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between TOTIB and each entrant with respect to the Contest and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications.
  • Assignment. Entrants may not assign their rights or obligations under these Rules. TOTIB may assign freely.
  • Independent contractor / no employment. Nothing in these Rules creates any employment, partnership, joint venture, or agency relationship between TOTIB and any entrant prior to the execution of a separate written employment agreement with the winner.
  • Headings. Section headings are for convenience only and have no substantive effect.

20. Contact

Questions about the Contest or these Rules may be directed to:

TOTIB Media, Inc.
Attn: Morning Show Search
3568 Lenox Rd, Geneva, NY 14456
Email: [email protected]

© 2026 TOTIB Media, Inc.. All rights reserved. These Official Rules, Terms & Conditions are not legal advice and have not been reviewed by counsel for any specific entrant. Entrants are encouraged to consult their own advisors before participating.