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Microsoft Addresses Windows Phone Contest Controversy, Relents

We recently discussed the story of Sasha Katta and his Windows Phone challenge, where Katta was denied his prize after beating the “Smoked By Windows Phone” challenge. The story hit the wi...
Microsoft Addresses Windows Phone Contest Controversy, Relents
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  • We recently discussed the story of Sasha Katta and his Windows Phone challenge, where Katta was denied his prize after beating the “Smoked By Windows Phone” challenge.

    The story hit the wires this weekend, and now, it’s taken off at an exponential rate, raining down bad press and negative reactions on Microsoft and their apparent “change the rules on the fly” approach. Naturally, in today’s world of Twitter and Facebook sharing, the chances such a popular story goes unnoticed by people in positions to initiate change is unlikely.

    And that’s just what happened.

    Katta’s story made it to the desk of Ben Rudolph, a Microsoft Evangelist who focuses his time on the Windows Phone brand. Over at his Twitter account, Rudolph acknowledged Katta’s issue and promised to make things right:

    @sahaskatta @skattertech @mattlynley @joshuatopolsky Just saw this. Sorry about the hassle…come back for a rematch on a random challenge! 12 hours ago via web ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    @sahaskatta @skattertech @mattlynley @joshuatopolsky And thanks for the heads up. I flagged this for the Store team, too. 12 hours ago via web ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    Relax guys! I wasn’t there for the challenge with @sahaskatta so didn’t see what really went down. We’ll make it right though! 10 hours ago via web ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    Hey @sahaskatta , @Microsoftstore & I want to make things right. So I’ve got a laptop & phone (& apology) for you. Email me! 2 hours ago via web ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    I stand behind #smokedbywindowsphone wins (and losses) 100%…even when I’m not the one doing the challenges. And always will! 1 hour ago via web ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    Clearly, the most important tweet was the fourth one where Rudolph reaches out to make things right. To do this, he offers Katta a laptop and a phone as a reward for beating the challenge. As for Katta’s reaction, he addressed the hubbub on his Twitter account recently:

    Just finished a workout, breakfast, and a meeting. And I’ll be sharing a statement shortly to address the #smokedbywindowsphone chaos. 20 minutes ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    Does Microsoft’s capitulation to Katta’s legitimate beef ease the tension some have been expressing since the initial story broke? Or is this an example of “too little, too late?” Let us know what you think.

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