Category: International

Mexico Sweepstakes Basics

Are you thinking of running a sweepstakes in Mexico? If the answer is yes, then you should note that the Mexico sweepstakes laws and regulations regarding promotions (e.g., games of chance and/or contests of skill) differ from US law and other countries. We compiled a list of frequently asked questions we typically receive regarding promotions in Mexico that should provide you with some general information during your planning stages. Is

May 13, 2020

Sweepstakes Rules Generator vs Custom Sweepstakes Rules

The allure of a sweepstakes rules generator is that you can create a set of sweepstakes rules for less money and less time. In fact, back in the day, Marden-Kane had an online sweepstakes rules generator of our own. Clients at that time could easily and cost-effectively create their own sweepstakes rules without legal fees or lengthy review times. The reality, however, was that most of our clients actually needed

September 19, 2019

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

March 31, 2017

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

March 24, 2017

Privacy Shield Lists Marden-Kane, Inc

Marden-Kane, Inc. has met the requirements to be listed on the Privacy Shield list. The EU-US Privacy Shield Framework was developed by the US Department of Commerce and the European Commission to meet the data requirements of the EU for safe, secure data transfers of personal data from the EU to the US. The Privacy Shield Framework was approved earlier this year, and the web site was launched on

August 15, 2016

Skill Testing Question in Canada: Why Is It Required?

Fae Savignano, our SVP, explains why a Skill Testing Question is required if you run a Sweepstakes in Canada. If you are a Canadian resident and enter a Sweepstakes you will be required to correctly answer a mathematical skill testing question in order to be eligible to enter and possibly win a prize. Residents of the United States do not have this prerequisite, as this rule is specific only

May 3, 2016

International Sweepstakes & Contest Laws That May Cause You Problems

If you think that sweepstakes laws can be confusing and expensive to adhere to in the US, wait till you check out these unique international sweepstakes & contest laws in other countries. Canada: When running a promotion in Quebec all materials must be available in English AND French. This includes rules, promotional ads, posters, entry forms, web sites, etc. And when you run a sweeps all winners must pass

August 20, 2014

The Implications of Running a Sweepstakes or Contest in Quebec

Rosemary Stein, former VP from our Chicago office, wrote this piece for MK on running promotions in Quebec. You have probably noticed that when Sweepstakes or Contests are run in the U.S. and extended to Canada the promotion will sometimes be “void in Quebec.” In Canada, promotions are governed primarily by federal law. Quebec is the only province that specifically regulates promotions and their restrictions are more severe than those

July 29, 2014

When Should Rules be Posted in Spanish?

Fae Savignano, one of our Vice Presidents who is fluent in five languages, weighs in on when you need to translate and post Spanish rules for your promotions. If you want to reach a target audience with an authentic voice, then promoting your campaign in-language would be the way to go! Marketers should not assume that an English language only, cookie-cutter promotion will work for all of their customers; especially

April 2, 2014

Is there such thing as a worldwide, English only contest?

We are frequently asked if it’s possible to run a worldwide, English only contest. A lot goes into providing an answer. Eligible countries and what type of promotion you want to run are two major areas of consideration. Prizes also can be tricky and you need to be prepared for additional effort in prize fulfillment. So the short answer is: unfortunately no with the long list of country by

March 21, 2013