Sweeps requiring Publicity Release

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brockgrady

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I am wondering if I should be concerned about entering sweeps that require a publicity release to be signed if I am chosen as the contest winner. It states that they can use photo, voice, likeness, etc. without compensation and for as long as they want. Anyone ever have any issues or problems with this?
 
Hi BrockGrady......wanted to respond to your concern about signing a publicity release. When I was lucky enough to win a Saturn car with a BC Headache powder promotion in which I got to meet and go to Marty Stuart's concert with backstage passes and take pictures with him and the promotors, I was asked to sign a publicity release so that they could further promote the product, Marty Stuart and GMC, and post pictures later on if they chose to. I believe this is a standard request for a big prize. They were all wonderful and very professional, and even got a kiss from Marty Stuart and autographed CD of his! This was back in 1992. Hope the info helps. Happy Sweepstaking! :)
 
I've only had to sign one, and it was for a photo contest that I won $1000 with a photo of my cat and I believe it limited their use to that photo (which I was fine giving up, since it was a "pose your pet with our product" thing). As far as I know, they used it to promote the contest while it was still running (I was listed as a recent winner with her photo adjacent) and they posted a "winner's gallery" on their facebook page once the contest ended.

I'm still waiting for the day I randomly pop into the local store in the chain that cosponsored and see it on a banner declaring me a local winner or something crazy like that, but I'm not counting on that to happen unless they run the same sweep next year and use this year's winners to promote it next time around.

I'd probably be a little more hesitant if it were my likeness, but my level of hesitation would vary depending on the prize being given. I did give permission to use my likeness for a recent $100 gift card win, but it wasn't as formal as a publicity release, it was handled in email with the sponsor and I chose the photo he posted on the contest page on his site.
 
:scratch: The only reason I can think of NOT to do this would be if you are on the Most Wanted List. Other than that, I don't know why you would hesitate to agree.
 
pmeek said:
:scratch: The only reason I can think of NOT to do this would be if you are on the Most Wanted List. Other than that, I don't know why you would hesitate to agree.
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Love love love your response!!! I won a goodly amount of cash a couple of years ago and had to sign a publicity release ... to my knowledge nothing came of it ... didn't have people knocking at my door asking for a loan. I don't think it should be a problem at all ... but everyone has their own life, so each has to decide on their own. Years ago, way back when I was young, thin and good looking, my husband and I were truck drivers. They used our picture in trucking recruiting magazines and all we got out of it was a shirt ... and a bit of pride to have been chosen, so I really don't see a problem with it.
 
I haven't checked the AMW list lately, perhaps I should do that. :laughing: I just wanted to know if anyone had a bad experience (i.e. felt their info was used in excess or in a way that they felt was inappropriate). Thanks for your responses.
 
brockgrady - after skimming rules for years, they tend to follow a pattern of CYA, so you'll find this verbiage for sweeps where it makes no sense {like T-shirts and downloads are the prizes} and then you'll see it for the tie-ins - like Oprah, Ellen, etc.

While it sounds like you are signing away your rights and *have* to say "how high" when they say jump, I've never heard of anyone being abused by a sponsor in this manner.
 
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