Category: Administration & Compliance

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 No Comments

McMillion$ and the Importance of Instant Win Game Security

If you aren’t sure why instant win game security is that big of a deal, you might want to watch the new HBO docuseries called “McMillion$”. It details the strange, and almost unbelievable, true story of how an employee at a promotional marketing company called Simon Marketing, a former competitor of Marden-Kane’s, committed fraud in the McDonald’s Monopoly games between 1989 and 2001, bilking McDonald’s and their customers out

February 13, 2020 No Comments

No Purchase Necessary for Running a Sweepstakes

In the United States, No Purchase Necessary is a term associated with all sweepstakes. Legally, in order to run a sweepstakes you cannot require a purchase in order to enter. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t ask entrants to make a purchase – it just means that anyone entering without purchase must have the same chance as someone entering with purchase. Here are two ways to use a

January 13, 2020 No Comments

The Most Visited Promotional Marketing Posts You Should Consult in 2020

These were the most visited promotional marketing posts by Marden-Kane from 2019. There were quite a few trending topics — like TikTok Contests, tying the Tokyo Olympics into your promotion, content moderation basics, and more! You might want to revisit them for your 2020 promotional marketing planning! 1. How to Run a Legal TikTok Contest or Sweepstakes TikTok does not currently have any posted contest guidelines, but that doesn’t

December 5, 2019 No Comments

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

September 19, 2019 No Comments

What You Need to Know About Using the Tokyo Olympics in Your Advertising and Promotion

The next Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan is now rescheduled for 2021. While the date may have changed, the rules for advertising and promotion using the Tokyo Olympics brand has not. Brands often want to capitalize on the Olympics by offering a promotion or campaign that ties into the Olympics theme, but should not do it. The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), in tandem with the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

July 26, 2019 2 Comments

Avoid Clickbait Tactics to Make Your Social Sweepstakes a Success

Take a look at your social feed right now. Look on any platform — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Snapchat — and start scrolling. How long does it take for you to find a post or story or tweet running a “giveaway?” The “giveaway” is everywhere on social. Mommy bloggers, Instagram dogs, major brands, and influencers are all running giveaways. And while the chance to win some swag might be

May 17, 2019 No Comments

Marijuana Marketing Making Us Dizzy and Confused

This post on marijuana marketing was contributed By Fae Savignano, EVP, Marden-Kane Digital. In the United States the use and possession of marijuana/cannabis is illegal under federal law for any purpose. However, the legalization of marijuana by U.S. jurisdiction (State law) is on a roll! As of this date, the medical use of marijuana (with a doctor’s recommendation) is legal in 33 states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,

April 10, 2019 No Comments

How to Spot a Sweepstakes Scam

A sweepstakes scam, or poorly run promotion, gives legitimate sweepstakes agencies and promotional marketing companies a bad name. Know what to look for to spot a sweepstakes scam, or a company that runs them. Here is a list of things to look for in a sweepstakes, or game of chance, that you should avoid, or at least be cautious of: 1. Super low odds: Any sweepstakes where there will be

March 13, 2019 7 Comments

Content Moderation: A Requirement for Social Posts and Contests

Content moderation has made the headlines lately as social channels like Facebook and Twitter tried to deal with “fake news” stories and inappropriate content. There is a torrent of video and written content being produced and distributed through the various social platforms, and content moderators work around the clock, deciding what needs to be taken down and what can remain. But what about content moderation for your brand’s social

March 1, 2019 No Comments