Articles
Wacky Sweepstakes Disclaimer Fun
Here at Marden-Kane, we’ve written countless sweepstakes rules and disclaimers. And while we love our jobs, crafting these legal documents can get a bit…dry. So we decided to take a break and have a little fun. We’ve created a wacky sweepstakes-themed word game, and we’d like to share it with you. We hope you enjoy it! Warning: any promotional copy created by our wacky sweepstakes form is not legal nor for a legitimate sweepstakes. This is for fun only! Post your results in the comments below! Fill out my online form. Start Over/Play Again If you are trying to create … Continue reading
10 Necessary Features of an Online Contest Judging Tool
Sometimes a client comes to us with a technical vendor who has an online judging tool they plan to use. The problem with that scenario is that their vendor typically thinks like a technical expert and not like a contest expert. We believe that judging should be approached from a marketing perspective as well as a technical perspective! And the online judging tool should be built accordingly — like the Marden-Kane judging tool is! Contact us for a demo and details so you won’t have to worry about any of the issues listed below that we have seen caused by … Continue reading
Running a Swiss Contest: Swiss-US Privacy Shield Required
Marden-Kane, Inc. became listed with the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework on April 18, 2017, becoming the first promotional marketing company to meet Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield requirements after applications were opened on April 12, 2017. The Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework was designed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Swiss Administration to provide companies a way to comply with data protection requirements when transferring personal data from Switzerland to the United States. The Swiss Government announced the approval of the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework in January of 2017. For more information you can go to the Swiss Federal Council or … Continue reading
Regulated Industries and Sweepstakes
Some regulated industries require special disclosures and/or have special legal requirements for running sweepstakes. These regulated industries include alcohol, tobacco, gasoline, firearms, dairy, banking, pharmaceuticals, and cause-related marketing. It is absolutely essential to know the laws of these industries, or partner with a promotional marketing firm who works with legal counsel who is familiar with these laws, before undertaking a contest or sweepstakes. Here are some basics to be aware of, but this is by no means an exhaustive list. Alcohol “Void in California” used to be fairly common for alcohol-related sweepstakes because California law formerly banned sweepstakes and … Continue reading
Social Contests and Sweepstakes: Favorite (and Least Favorite) Platforms to Use
Social contests and sweepstakes are currently the most popular tactic that we are seeing our clients use to increase brand awareness and reach. The Marden-Kane team has some strong ideas on what social platforms work, and which ones can cause headaches. We compiled this list of pros and cons to use when evaluating social platforms for your brand’s next social promotion. Remember: If you are thinking of running social contests or sweepstakes, be mindful when deciding which platform(s) to use, your call to action, and that you follow each platforms’ promotion guidelines. And as always, keep it legal by … Continue reading
Running a Puerto Rico Sweepstakes
Account Coordinator Lindsey McLaughlin contributed to this post to help us better understand how easy it is to run a Puerto Rico sweepstakes! Legal restrictions used to keep companies from running a sweepstakes in Puerto Rico. However, in 2009 Puerto Rico lifted their tedious sweepstakes requirements, which now makes it easier to include them when running a promotion. Here is what you need to know to make a Puerto Rico sweepstakes legal. Legal Review: Prior to 2009, any company that was contemplating including Puerto Rico in their instant win game had to build time into their approval process to … Continue reading
Conducting a Background Check on a Winner — Is It Necessary?
This week’s blog on running a background check was contributed by one of our Account Supervisors, Cheryl Thornton. From time to time the topic of running a background check on a winner is discussed with our clients. There are number of factors to consider before determining if a background check is applicable for a promotion. We guide our clients by asking what their goals or needs are, along with the nature and value of their prize or prizes. For example, if they include a meet and greet with a celebrity, an on-field experience at major sporting events, a million dollar … Continue reading
Make Your AMOE Count
AMOE stands for Alternate Means of Entry or Alternate Method of Entry. By law, a sweepstakes in the United States must have a free method of entry, so if a sweepstakes asks for a purchase to obtain an entry or a code for an entry, then the rules should always list a “no purchase” or AMOE method of entry. Whether you are running a sweepstakes or entering one, here is how to make your AMOE count. AMOE Methods: The following are some of the various AMOE methods that a sponsor or brand could use in their sweepstakes: Mail The traditional AMOE method is … Continue reading
20 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contest Vendor
Before hiring a contest vendor you should ask lots of questions. Not all vendors are created equal. Some may be technically proficient but lack legal expertise. Some have the legal credentials but can’t build a web site or do registration and bonding. Here are twenty questions you should be asking before you select your contest vendor: How well do they know sweepstakes law and advertising and mobile? A top notch promotional marketing agency is well versed in national and international laws that pertain to promotions, sweepstakes and contests. They should also have legal representation and know social, mobile and … Continue reading
Prize Fail: Avoid These Prizes
Don’t have a prize fail! Take the advice of the experts at Marden-Kane on what prizes to avoid – and what works! – for your next sweepstakes or contest. “A prize by any other name is still a prize” and one would hope that it will bring joy to the lucky winner. But this is not always true as some enter just for entering then realizes that their prize is not appropriate for them or their lifestyle. For example: the lady who lived in a small apartment on the 10th floor that won a Jacuzzi, or the dog owner … Continue reading
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Recent Articles
- 10 Necessary Features of an Online Contest Judging Tool
- Running a Swiss Contest: Swiss-US Privacy Shield Required
- Regulated Industries and Sweepstakes
- Social Contests and Sweepstakes: Favorite (and Least Favorite) Platforms to Use
- Running a Puerto Rico Sweepstakes
