Final answer:
Rick is the source of the message and he is involved in encoding.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rick is the source of the message, and he is involved in encoding.
In this scenario, Rick designed an online contest using social media to encourage fans to submit their own ideas for a new toy design. In order to communicate his message, Rick had to convert his ideas into writing that represented the ideas he was trying to get across. This process is called encoding. Rick, as the source of the message, is responsible for encoding the message so that it can be easily understood by the audience.