PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Trending Now: An IP Podcast - Cause Marketing: Do’s and Don'ts
When last we wrote about registration under California’s new online charitable solicitation law (CA AB 488), we let you know that final regulations were issued on March 26, 2024, and registration under the new law would be...more
We have previously warned you about the new California law (AB 488) concerning registration for many types of online cause marketing programs. On March 26, 2024, CA finally issued final regulations to its AB 488...more
While the U.S. Congress may be retarded in its lawmaking responsibilities, the States of Tennessee and Utah recently passed legislation affecting charitable sales promotions as follows: Tennessee: Amended its...more
Tis the season. Some people like to use the phrase “Doing Well by Doing Good.” Early U.S. business magnates knew that financial benefits can come from philanthropy. In 1888, Cornealius Vanderbilt donated $250,000 (that’s six...more
Examining loyalty points used for chance promotions - On May 11, 2023, @BabyTesla3 sent out a Tweet: NEW: Tesla has revamped the Referral program and introduced a new loyalty program! Here’s what you need to know •...more
As consumers continue to trend toward more health-conscious options, including in their choice of alcoholic beverages, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has responded with guidance on health-related marketing...more
The war in Ukraine has led to Europe’s worst refugee crisis since World War II; more than 3 1/2 million civilians have already been displaced, and some observers expect the number to reach five million as the war continues to...more
The 94th Academy Awards might have had dramas you never heard of (subtext COVID), but it wasn’t lacking in drama. When Will smacked Chris, a collective “whoa” rocked the Dolby Theater. The drama intensified when the question...more
Two recent “routine monitoring” determinations of the National Advertising Division of BBB National Programs may indicate a trend toward the NAD’s investigation into cause-related marketing initiatives....more
A custom PC company, Artesian Builds, who hyped its image by offering frequent giveaways ranging from $100 gift cards to t-shirts to custom built pcs, announced today (March 10) that it was suspending its business, following...more
The Winter Olympics are here. I just watched the women’s U.S. hockey team take on Team Canada and it got me wonderin’: are those sweaters “Made in the USA”? To my knowledge, Nike does not tout them as such, and in fact, Nike...more
When defending Helen Keller from a charge of plagiarism, Mark Twain famously wrote, “substantially all ideas are second-hand.” While it’s possible to come up with a totally new promotion idea, many of our well-known...more
Every six-year-old boy, at some time in his short life, comes up with the idea of running a raffle as an ingenious way of earning some easy money. It is then left to his sardonic stuffed animal friend to counsel him on the...more
Sometimes doing good isn’t easy. Say you’re a company that wants to run a sweepstakes by asking entrants for donations to charity. Sounds simple. Everyone will think you’re an A-1, socially conscious brand that isn’t even...more
Has your business thought about partnering with a charity for a sales campaign? Are you involved with a charity that has questioned how to increase awareness and donations? Join Rob Van Arnam and Amber Duncan for a...more
“Buy our beer and we’ll donate $1 to charity.” The ultimate “doing well by doing good.” Many large beer brands see the marketing advantage of asking consumers to buy their product in return for the brand’s donation to...more
Advertising lawyers when giving advice to clients on promotional programs and advertising disclosures are always asked by their clients, why must we do it that way when XYZ company isn’t? The answer is usually somewhere...more
A cobranded credit card program in which the “merchant” is in fact a charity may be subject to special rules relating to the regulation of “commercial co-ventures” (also known as “cause-related marketing”). Issuers and...more