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Recently, we asked Teresa Paquet, Subway’s Privacy Officer, if we could interview her about the current status of privacy policies, including when privacy policies are needed and why they're critical for any companies sponsoring sweepstakes or contests. READ MORE
I recently received an unusual request from the sponsor of a sweepstakes. The sponsor was one month into a three-month entry period stated in their sweepstake’s rules. Now the sponsor wanted to add a few new prizes to increase the number of entrants. The sponsor asked me what would happen if they changed the rules. READ MORE
My usual response to requests to change the official rules of a sweepstakes after it has begun is that you can’t make any changes. However, there may be situations where a change to the rules may not be clear-cut. Here are 12 questions that you may want to ask before deciding whether to change the official rules of a running sweepstakes. READ MORE
Our popular Thompson Coburn Sweepstakes Creator program has been updated to make it even easier for sponsors to describe their plans for sweepstakes and contests so that we can prepare draft official rules for them quickly and efficiently. READ MORE
The official rules for sweepstakes and contests should contain all of the material details of the promotion, which includes key information pertaining to the value of the prizes. Sponsors should keep this in mind when preparing official rules. READ MORE
The Federal Communication Commission may be on the verge of permitting broadcasters to present sweepstakes and contest rules online, rather than during the on-air description of the promotion. The FCC’s agenda for its open meeting on September 17, 2015, lists as one of the two subjects to be discussed: “Modernizing contest rules. READ MORE
Over the past 18 years, I have been very fortunate to represent several of what I call “Mega Sponsors” of sweepstakes and contests. My definition of a Mega Sponsor is a company that sponsors more than 50 sweepstakes or contests in a year. READ MORE
The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has brought a number of cases against broadcasters who conduct or advertise a contest on air. These cases range from failure to accurately disclose the end date for a sweepstakes, to a station’s employee rigging a contest so that his friends and family would win. READ MORE
Our recent post about the possibility that the Federal Communications Commission will no longer require broadcasters to disclose contest rules in their advertisements brought several questions from readers. Most of the questions were about the FCC regulations and enforcement activities. Here is a brief overview of the two major components of the FCC’s Contest Rule. READ MORE
Anyone who watches television or listens to the radio has heard a fast-talking announcer race through the abbreviated rules for a sweepstakes or contest. Or perhaps you’ve seen a copy of the official rules for only a second or two in a microscopic font size on your television screen. READ MORE
Last week, The New York Times reported that General Mills added language to its website notifying its customers that if they downloaded a coupon, joined the company’s online community on places like Facebook, or entered a sweepstakes or contest sponsored by General Mills, they would give up their right to sue the company. READ MORE
You couldn’t live in the United States very long without at some point seeing abbreviated rules for a sweepstakes. They are usually found in the fine print at the bottom of an ad, sign, email message, bottle top, or banner, and almost always begin with the words “NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.” READ MORE
If you create sweepstakes or contests, you understand that having a comprehensive set of official rules is essential. But what about a contest that is part of an incentive program for a company’s employees, dealers, or distributors? READ MORE
Today we’re continuing our conversation with Sandra Grauschopf, About.com’s resident expert on all topics related to sweepstakes and contests. Sandra manages the site’s forum for avid “sweepers” and also consults with companies sponsoring promotions. READ MORE
Early in her career, Taylor Swift was a spokesperson for one of our clients. I drafted the official rules for several contests that were used for her concerts and appearances at the client’s sponsored events. (I am secretly convinced that it was those contest rules that lead to her phenomenal success a singer.) READ MORE
Once again, a large retailer has been charged with violating New York state law by failing to properly inform customers that they could enter a sweepstakes without having to make a purchase. This time it was The Great Atlantic and Pacific Teas Company. READ MORE
Most people would think that giving the prizes away in a sweepstakes or contest would be the easiest and most enjoyable part of being a sponsor. While in most instances that is correct, there are times when giving a prize away can be very difficult or maybe even impossible. READ MORE
When someone wins a trip in a sweepstakes or contest, they usually expect that the prize will be for two people so they can bring a travel companion along on their journey. If your promotion requires winners to fly solo, you need to make that very clear in the rules and any accompanying advertisements or other promotions. READ MORE
A picture is worth a thousand words, but a picture of your customers using your product may be worth thousands of new buyers. In the past, photo contests usually cropped up as “cutest baby” or “best picture of the year” competitions. READ MORE
How much does the type of prize affect the popularity of a sweepstakes? I believe it can make a huge difference, even if the alternative prizes have the same value. READ MORE
Pinterest’s guidelines caution companies that many of these requirements vary from place to place. They also urge promotions sponsors to work with a lawyer to make sure they are in compliance. READ MORE
“Swept Away" is a two-page comic that follows the colorful misadventures of a marketing team that makes a questionable choice on their official rules and ends up paying the price (literally). READ MORE
Broadly defined, “vote farming” involves contest entrants launching broad social media or online “campaigns” with the goal of soliciting votes from strangers and winning the contest. READ MORE
Under Rhode Island law, any game, contest or other promotion offering the opportunity to win prizes valued over $500 must be registered with the secretary of state if the promotion takes place in a retail establishment. READ MORE
Promoting the sweepstakes via the U.S. Postal Service triggers application of the Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act (DMPEA) which contains a sizeable list of items that must be included in the sweepstakes. READ MORE
In sports, as in sweepstakes: Sometimes trying to do the right thing at the wrong time can lead to trouble. READ MORE
This decision sends a clear message to anyone sponsoring a sweepstakes or contest in Canada (and particularly in Quebec) that promotions such as this must not deceive consumers. READ MORE
Businesses use the Internet to host promotions because they increase publicity about their products and provide the email addresses of potential customers. Those three advantages are as desirable to political campaigns as they are to businesses. READ MORE
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