Last Revised: 1 Nov 2025
These WalkMix Creator Challenge Rules apply to participation in the Challenge and form a binding agreement between each Entrant and Audio Futures, Inc.
1. Overview, acceptance, and defined terms
a) The WalkMix Creator Challenge (the “Challenge”) is organized by Audio Futures, Inc., an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Audio Futures” or the “Organizer”).
b) By submitting an entry, each entrant (“Entrant” or “You“) agrees to these WalkMix Creator Challenge Rules (the “Rules”), the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and any instructions stated on the Challenge Page.
c) “Website” means the Organizer’s site (https://walkmix.com) that host the Challenge. “Challenge Page” means https://walkmix.com/challenge/ that publishes key dates, FAQs, and the submission link.
d) “WalkMix Creator” means the Organizer’s spatial-audio production software used to create Entries; references to WalkMix Creator include any version branded “360 WalkMix Creator” during the transition.
e) “Entry Period” means 23 Aug 2025 through 15 Nov 2025, 23:59 IST.
f) “Entry” or “Submission” means an eligible work submitted in accordance with Section 4.
g) “Finalist” means an Entrant selected as a Top 3 finalist. “Winner” means the grand prize winner.
h) Capitalized terms used but not defined here have the meanings given elsewhere in these Rules.
2. Eligibility
Open to natural persons who are 18 years or older at entry and are of Indian origin worldwide. Indian origin means You, or a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was an Indian citizen or held an Indian passport, or You hold or are eligible for an OCI or PIO card not based solely on marriage. Team entries are allowed up to three members. All members must independently meet eligibility. Employees, officers, contractors, and agents of Audio Futures, sponsors, and their affiliates, and their immediate families, are not eligible. Void where prohibited.
3. Dates
Submissions open 23 Aug 2025 and close 15 Nov 2025, 23:59 IST. Finalists selected 16 to 30 Nov 2025. Winner announced 1 Dec 2025. LA studio session currently planned for studio session up to five consecutive nights in Jan 2026 (exact dates TBD) and may shift for scheduling.
4. Entry requirements and submission method
a) Entry must be created or remixed by You using WalkMix Creator.
b) Maximum duration 3:00. One entry per person or team. You may resubmit before the deadline, the most recent timely verified entry will be judged. An Entrant may not be part of more than one active Entry.
c) Submission method and file specs
Entrants must submit one audio file exported from WalkMix Creator as MPEG-H in MP4 at Level 3 compliance, maximum duration 3:00. Entries are submitted by pasting a public download link from a common cloud service (for example Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer) in the submission form. Organizer may transcode copies for verification and judging. Files that do not meet these specifications may be rejected.
d) Entries must be original or fully cleared. No uncleared samples or third-party materials.
e) Disqualifying content includes illegal, hateful, infringing, or unsafe content, and content generated in violation of third-party rights.
f) There is no entry fee or purchase required to enter or win, and purchase does not improve chances of winning. A free Challenge license for WalkMix Creator is available during the Entry Period.
g) Alternate methods
Organizer may announce alternate submission methods on the Challenge Page, including the use of WalkMix Player Share Code or ADM-based submissions. Any such method will be deemed part of these Rules for Entries submitted after it is announced.
5. Judging
Entries will be evaluated by industry judges on mix quality, spatial creativity, and musical impact. Each criterion will be scored on a numeric scale. Judges’ decisions are final. Tie-breakers will be resolved by the highest mix quality score, then by panel vote.
6. Prizes
Winner: round-trip economy airfare to Los Angeles from a major international gateway near the Winner’s residence, and hotel during the studio session up to five consecutive nights in the first half of Dec 2025 (exact dates TBD), plus a studio session with a two-time GRAMMY-winning producer.
Team travel. For a winning team, the Organizer will provide round-trip economy airfare from a major international gateway and hotel during the studio session for one team representative. Other members may join remotely. The Organizer may, in its sole discretion, invite up to two additional team members to attend in person, subject to budget, visas, and studio capacity. The Organizer will specify in writing whether it will cover travel and hotel for any additional invitee(s). If self-funded attendance is permitted, the team is responsible for all related costs and logistics. All on-site attendees must satisfy the eligibility and visa requirements in these Rules.
Top 3 Finalists: ₹10,000 each, a 1-year WalkMix Creator license, and one pair of Sony MDR-M1 headphones per Finalist entry.
Headphones one pair per Finalist entry. WalkMix Creator licenses up to one per team member, maximum three per team. No cash alternative for non-cash items unless required by law.
Prizes are delivered to the team lead on behalf of the team. The Organizer is not responsible for any internal disputes regarding credits or splits.
7. Travel terms
Audio Futures books flights and hotel. Upgrades, incidentals, meals, and personal expenses are the Winner’s responsibility. Valid passport and any visas are required. On request, Audio Futures may issue a prize confirmation letter stating the Winner’s name, dates, and planned itinerary for use in a visitor-visa application. Visa applications, fees, interviews, and approvals are solely the Winner’s responsibility, and visa decisions are not guaranteed. If the Winner cannot travel for reasons outside Audio Futures’ control, Audio Futures may offer a reasonable alternative or select an alternate Winner.
8. Cash awards and taxes
Cash awards are paid in INR by bank transfer to the individual Finalist or the team lead. If a Finalist cannot receive INR, the Organizer may pay the USD or local-currency equivalent at the Organizer’s discretion, using the Organizer’s bank exchange rate on the payment date. Bank, intermediary, and exchange fees and any taxes are the recipient’s responsibility. Payments are made only to an account in the name of the Finalist or team lead and may be routed through standard international payment channels.
9. Ownership and license
You keep ownership of Your submission. By entering, You grant Audio Futures a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable license to host, copy, transmit, transcode, display, and publicly perform Your submission for:
i) administering and judging the Challenge, and
ii) announcing, exhibiting, and promoting the Challenge, Finalists, and Winner on websites, social channels, and event materials.
The license lasts through the end of the Challenge and for 24 months afterward for promotion, with archival use in perpetuity in non-commercial historical materials. Audio Futures may allow its sponsors, affiliates, marketing partners, and service providers to use submissions for the same limited purposes. Audio Futures has no obligation to use any submission.
10. Publicity
Where permitted by law, You consent to the use of Your name, likeness, voice, and biographical information in connection with the Challenge and its results without additional compensation.
11. Winner track
If You are the Winner, any collaboration during the LA session, and any release or other exploitation of the resulting track, will be subject to a separate written agreement with the relevant rights holder(s). This agreement may be offered or facilitated by Audio Futures, and may involve the producer or studio and/or a distributor or label. There is no obligation to offer or enter into such an agreement, and no commercial release is guaranteed. Co-creation or participation in the LA session does not by itself grant any ownership, credit, or royalty rights. Ownership of the composition and master, credits, producer royalties, and any publishing splits will be set only in the separate written agreement described above.
12. Verification and disqualification
Audio Futures may require Finalists and the Winner to provide reasonable proof of eligibility and identity within a stated time. Audio Futures may disqualify entries for ineligibility, rule violations, fraud, or inability to complete verification. Audio Futures may cancel, modify, or suspend the Challenge if technical or legal issues arise.
13. Software and accounts
Entries must be created in WalkMix Creator. Use of the software and any account You create to download, activate, or use the software is governed by the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
14. Privacy
Audio Futures will process personal data to administer the Challenge, judge entries, arrange prizes, and promote the results. Data may be shared with judges, service providers, sponsors, and travel vendors. See the Privacy Policy for details, including international transfers. Identity documents requested for eligibility checks will be used only for verification and deleted within a reasonable period after verification unless a longer retention period is required by law.
15. Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Audio Futures and its affiliates are not responsible for lost or late entries, technical failures, or any indirect or consequential damages arising from participation or prize use.
16. Governing law and disputes
These Rules are governed by the laws of the Cayman Islands. Any dispute will be resolved by arbitration in George Town, Cayman Islands, in English, under rules specified by Audio Futures in the arbitration notice, with judgment on the award enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The Challenge is void where prohibited.
17. Changes to these Rules
a) The Organizer may update these Rules from time to time for accuracy, clarity, process, technical, or legal reasons.
b) Any change will be posted on the Challenge Page with an updated Last Revised date and will take effect on posting unless a later effective date is stated.
c) No change will reduce the number or approximate retail value of the advertised Prizes or shorten the Entry Period for Entries already submitted, except where required by law or due to events outside the Organizer’s reasonable control. If a prize item becomes unavailable, the Organizer may substitute an item of equal or greater value.
d) Material changes that would materially and adversely affect an Entrant will not apply retroactively to Entries already submitted. If a material change is required by law or a regulator, the Organizer will provide a reasonable method to withdraw and resubmit during the Entry Period.
e) Corrections of typographical, formatting, or hyperlink errors are not material changes.
18. Third-party references and marks
References to the Recording Academy or GRAMMY Awards are for identification of the producer’s credits only. The Challenge is not sponsored by, endorsed by, or affiliated with the Recording Academy. References to artists such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Sting, Eric Clapton, Joss Stone, Slash, and Celine Dion are for biographical context only, and do not imply participation in or endorsement of the Challenge. All third-party names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Mastercard does not assume any responsibility for the products and services offered under this Event. The products are sold and services are provided solely by the relevant vendors, under such terms and conditions as determined by such vendors, and Mastercard accepts no liability whatsoever in connection with such products and services. The products and services have not been certified by Mastercard and under no circumstances shall the inclusion of any product or service in this Event be construed as an endorsement or recommendation of such product or service by Mastercard.
19. Contact
Questions about the Challenge: https://walkmix.com/support/. Audio Futures aims to respond within 2 business days.