Tag: compliance

How to Avoid Deceptive Advertising

In the context of sweepstakes, deceptive advertising occurs when a promotion uses misleading statements, omissions, or visual trickery to give a participant a false impression of their odds, the prize value, or the requirements to win. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state Attorneys General monitor these closely. If a “reasonable consumer” would be misled by the advertisement, it is considered deceptive. Common Forms of Deceptive Advertising 1. The “False

May 20, 2026

Best Practices for Running a Pet-Themed Promotion

When running a pet-themed promotion, you are tapping into a deeply emotional space. For many, pets are family members, and the stakes for health and safety are much higher than a standard giveaway. Here are the essential do’s and don’ts for a successful and ethical pet promotion: The Do’s: Focusing on Health and Safety DO prioritize safety standards. Ensure any physical prizes (toys, treats, or gear) meet rigorous safety certifications. Avoid

April 30, 2026

Everybody’s Using Social for Everything! But Are They Really?!?

There’s basically no such thing as doing any type of marketing without social platforms being part of the grand plan. Their reach is undeniable. While social platforms are an integral part of today’s marketing landscape, each one of them has their own restrictions and rules to abide by, and they’re not always easy to figure out. Platforms such as Instagram & Facebook (Meta) specifically state that they will not provide

April 22, 2026

Are Rules Drafted with the Help of AI Safe?

The question is… is it OK to rely on AI to draft rules, are they “safe” to use, are they “accurate,” are they “legally compliant?” I think we can agree that AI is fast and efficient. It is exciting to see your rules complete in just a few seconds – a huge windfall that you can produce a set of rules in a matter of minutes and the cost benefit

April 21, 2026

Data Privacy Framework (DPF)

In July 2023, the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF) was created to replace the invalidated Privacy Shield for enabling legal, secure data transfers from the EU to the US. Privacy Shield was the original mechanism established in an attempt to meet GDPR regulations, but it failed to meet all requirements. The end goal of these regulations is to protect individuals’ right to privacy, how their personal data is collected, processed,

February 4, 2026

How to Do a Giveaway on YouTube

Brands and influencers have learned that the best way to build their YouTube audience is to run a sweepstakes or giveaway on YouTube. A giveaway is the perfect opportunity to ask people to like, comment and share your content with the world in exchange for an entry. You must use caution when running a giveaway, however, to ensure you do not get into any trouble with YouTube or the law.

April 7, 2021

Put That Sweepstakes Data to Work

The primary reason our clients say they want to run a sweepstakes is to be able to put that sweepstakes data to work to find new potential clients and increase sales. A sweepstakes is a terrific way to achieve those goals! However, if you do not make sure you follow data privacy laws and consumer protection guidance, then that data you collect as part of a sweepstakes campaign can not

February 12, 2021

Can You Use a Coupon as a Prize?

Question: Can you offer a coupon as a prize in a sweepstakes or contest? Answer: It depends. If the coupon or voucher value covers the entire full priced item without any hidden fees (like shipping & handling, etc.) then you can offer it as a prize coupon. But if the coupon offered is for savings on a purchase, or if it does not cover the shipping and handling necessary to

September 17, 2020

How Do I Run a Text to Win Sweepstakes?

A text to win sweepstakes provides your customers with a quick, easy way to enter a sweepstakes from a mobile phone. A text to win can be set up in days instead of weeks. This type of promotions is fast to enter. And it provides a way to collect minimal private, personal information if your brand is privacy focused. Here are 6 best practices to consider when running a text

June 26, 2020

Sweepstakes Email Opt-in Best Practices

The primary purpose of many sweepstakes is to build a brand’s mailing list; having a valid email opt-in on the sweepstakes registration page is imperative to the success of the promotion. If you fail to use best practices when setting up your opt-in, then your ability to email users for the purposes you had in mind may be at risk. Here are 3 things to keep in mind when

February 6, 2019