Promotions 101: Know the Rules Before You Play the Promotions Game!

Sweepstakes, contests, and promotions can be effective and fun ways to engage with consumers - but not all promotions are created equal. Knowing the rules of the promotions game is critical to developing and running creative, engaging - and compliant - promotional programs and to avoiding expensive fines, costly lawsuits and PR nightmares. In this program, Loeb & Loeb partner Nerissa Coyle McGinn will explain the rules of the promotions game, including the differences between lotteries, sweepstakes and contests; the requirements for compliant promotions program, including federal laws and regulations, state laws; registration, bond and tax considerations; industry guidelines that may apply when running promotions on social media and other digital platforms; consumer privacy issues; and using stars and celebrities in promotions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the differences between lotteries, sweepstakes, and contests

2.  Analyze common legal pitfalls in sweepstakes and contests

3.  Review industry standards for running social media promotions

4. Discuss how running promotions can implicate other advertising laws, such as consumer privacy laws, endorsements and testimonials guidelines, and email and text marketing laws