Advertising SMS competition - Newspapers Guidelines

So you want to advertise your SMS competition in your local newspaper ! What are the guidelines, what can you do what cant you do. This is meant to help you through the process of advertising your SMS competition in the newspaper.

NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING RULES:

This section applies to all print advertisements placed in the body of and in the
classified portions of ALL newspapers in tabloid or broadsheet format where legally
available to all members and ages of the general public where Access Channels are
displayed.

This section includes, but is not limited to, any in-house newspapers of companies, clubs, associations, religious and cultural institutions etc etc.

BROAD OVERVIEW:
TEXT SHOWING FULL COST AND T&C IS REQUIRED

• For each unique access number, the full cost of the access must be displayed immediately below, or above, or adjacent to the unique
  access number or content access code in a manner that is easily visible and readable. All access cost information must be placed
  horizontally.
• SMS/MMS: The display text must indicate the TOTAL cost involved in obtaining the full service, and if applicable, also the number and
  component cost of the SMSs required for full access, and the potential for additional bearer charges.
• IVR: If a VAS-rated IVR system is used for access to any services or content, and the minimum time a reasonable user would require for full
  access to the advertised service or content exceeds 60 seconds, then the time required before full access to the advertised service or
  content is available must be indicated.
• USSD: If a USSD system is used for access to any services or content, and the minimum time a reasonable user would require for full
  access to the advertised service or content exceeds 60 seconds, then the time required before full access to the advertised service or
  content is available must be indicated.
• The pricing and T&C text must not be placed within the ad or formatted in a manner where it may be obscured by other text or visual information that may be displayed as part of the ad
• The cost and T&C text must not be part of a colour scheme that may obscure easy reading of complete details of the price and T&C. All T&C information must be placed horizontally.

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Text Size For Non-Classified Ads:

• Access cost text must be in 11 point font size, using a non-serif font. [This is 11 point Arial Font]
• T&C text must be in 9 point font size using a non-serif font [This is 9 point Arial Font]

Text Size for Classified Ads:

• Access cost text must be in 9 point font size, using a non-serif font. [This is 9 point Arial Font]
• T&C text must be in 8 point font size using a non-serif font [This is 8 point Arial Font]

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
Any advertisement that has a subscription service component must include:
a) the periodic subscription charge, AND
b) the charging frequency, AND
c) Any additional premium-rated charges or other charges that might be applicable to access particular content or services.

Illustrative Pricing Example:
Correct:

Incorrect:

Source: http://www.waspa.org.za/code/advert-rules/waspa-ad-rules-v1.6-newspapers.pdf


For SMS related services please feel free to visit: http://www.afridesign.com/bulk-sms-email-01.php


Please Note:The above does not constitute as legal advice, nor are they warranted as legal advice. The various authors, contributors to and editors of the above, shall not be held liable for any consequences that may arise from implementation of these guidlines, or from failure to implement them.

SMS Competitions - Provision of information

Are you planning to create or setup an SMS competition, well we thought we would give you some important info to make sure your SMS competition follows the Rules and Regulations setup by WASPA

1. Any promotional material for a competition service must clearly display the full cost to enter the competition and any cost to the user to obtain the prize.

2. Any promotional material for a competition service must include details of how the competition operates.

3. Interactive competition services with an ongoing incremental cost, must, at reasonable intervals, inform the customer of any additional costs, and must require the customer to actively confirm their continued participation.

4. Promotional material must clearly state any information which is likely to affect a decision to participate, including:

• the closing date;
• any significant terms and conditions, including any restriction on the number of entries or prizes which may be won;
• an adequate description of prizes, and other items offered to all or a substantial majority of participants, including the number of major prizes;
• any significant age, geographic or other eligibility restrictions;
• any significant costs which a reasonable consumer might not expect to pay in connection with collection, delivery or use of the prize or item.
  

5. The following additional information must also be made readily available on request, if not contained in the original promotional material:

• how and when prize-winners will be informed;
• the manner in which the prizes will be awarded;
• when the prizes will be awarded;
• how prize-winner information may be obtained;
• any criteria for judging entries;
• any alternative prize that is available;
• the details of any intended post-event publicity;
• any supplementary rules which may apply;
• the identity of the party running the competition and responsible for the prizes.

6. Competition services and promotional material must not:

• use words such as ‘win’ or ‘prize’ to describe items intended to be offered to all or a substantial majority of the participants;
• exaggerate the chance of winning a prize;
• suggest that winning a prize is a certainty;
• suggest that the party has already won a prize and that by contacting the promoter of the competition, that the entrant will have definitely secured that prize.
  

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Do You Need to setup a SMS competition? Maybe we can help you. Introducing the only system in South Africa that gives you complete control over your SMS competition.

www.afridesign.com

**

Children’s competitions
1. Competition services that are aimed at, or would reasonably be expected to be particularly attractive to children must not offer cash prizes.

2. Competition services that are aimed at, or would reasonably be expected to be particularly attractive to children must not feature long or complex rules.

General provisions
1. Competition services must have a specific closing date, except where there are instant prize-winners. An insufficient number of entries or entries of inadequate quality are not acceptable reasons for changing the closing date of a competition or withholding prizes. Once the closing date for a competition is reached, the advertised prizes must be awarded, notwithstanding the number of entries.

2. Prizes must be awarded within 28 days of the closing date, unless a longer period is clearly stated in the promotional material.

3. All correct entries must have the same chance of winning.

Source: http://www.waspa.org.za/code/codeconduct.shtml

For SMS related services please feel free to visit: http://www.afridesign.com/bulk-sms-email-01.php

Please Note:
The above does not constitute as legal advice, nor are they warranted as legal advice. The various authors, contributors to and editors of the above, shall not be held liable for any consequences that may arise from implementation of these guidlines, or from failure to implement them.