Archive for the ‘Prizes’ Category
April 26th, 2010
Prizes, Taxes, & 1099 Forms
Taxes on that prize? No one ever told me… When that 1099 tax filing arrives in your mailbox and you don’t remember where it came from or why it was sent to you, think back for a moment.
It could likely be from a prize you won in a sweepstakes the prior year. Prizes over $600 are considered miscellaneous income to the government and sponsors are required by law to issue a 1099 form to winners who receive a prize (or multiple prizes) valued over $600. Continue on…
February 5th, 2010
Designing an Online Sweepstakes Entry Form
It is mind-blowing how the Internet has grown dramatically since its inception and to think the same phishing scams are still around. Although, they have changed just as dramatically as the Internet.
When designing a sweepstakes entry form, sponsors need to be extremely careful so the consumer does not feel like they need to give too much information in order to enter. Here are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind when designing an online sweepstakes entry form: Continue on…
Categories: Prizes, Promotion Risks, Technology, Tips
October 1st, 2009
The Random Factor
Equal Opportunity = Legal Promotion
“Equal opportunity” doesn’t solely exist in the HR world. It is imperative that it exist in the Promotion world as well.
Clients often ask, “Can we select the winner from a specific state?” We answer with a resounding, “No”… and offer the following explanation… Continue on…
Categories: Legal, Prizes, Promotion Risks, Tips, Uncategorized
June 5th, 2009
You Never Call Me Anymore
Everyday in the offline world, we are bombarded with thousands of advertisements – usually asking us to do the same thing: remember this URL (preferably when you are in front of a computer) or call us for more information. How often do any of us do that? Seriously, do you remember the last time you ate some chips and then went online or phoned in to enter the Potato Chip Dream Vacation Sweepstakes? Continue on…
Categories: Advertising, Media, Prizes, Technology, Uncategorized, Winners
April 23rd, 2009
How do companies afford million dollar prizes?
Have you ever wondered how Sponsors make big campaigns with million dollar headlines? Promising to give away $1,000,000 or a new home to one lucky winner? How can they afford it?
Typically, when a million dollar prize is awarded it is insured by a third party. This third party will calculate Continue on…
Categories: Prizes
April 23rd, 2009
Some Ways to Run a Promotion AND Beat the Recession
These days more and more clients are calling us to ask, “We want to run a promotion but keep the costs low, how do we do that?” or “Can we do that?”. In our 16th year administering promotions, we know a little something about running promotions on a budget: Continue on…
Categories: Budget Friendly, Prizes, Tips, Travel, Winners
April 23rd, 2009
Is A T-Shirt Enough!?!
‘What’s the right draw, the right quantity, the right prize?’ Difficult decisions in planning is one of the most complicated parts of a promotion, however it’s often an afterthought in many promotions. People don’t enter promotions to win just a T-shirt, think about who your customers are and what excites them about your brand. Historically cash, trips, and cars were the most popular prizes in the promotional world. But they are getting slowly edged out by experiential and practical prizes.
For example, if you’re a sports company and can leverage athlete relationships, a trip to meet a famous athlete would be the best choice for your prize. It’s also important to not overload your prize structure with giving away too much. Continue on…
February 13th, 2009
A Chocolate-Lover’s Dream
Godiva has created a chocolate paradise suite in Manhattan on the 21st floor of the Bryant Park Hotel. Renowned interior designer Jonathan Adler lent his skills Continue on…