Pepsi Play for a Billion (2003)

Program Overview:

Pepsi fans could find unique codes under the cap or on multipacks for the Play for a Billion sweepstakes. Simply enter the code online to enter and have a chance to win 1 of 1 million $20 instant win prizes. 1,000 lucky finalists were randomly drawn and invited to Orlando, FL. where one lucky finalist would walk away with a guaranteed One Million Dollars and have a chance to play for One BILLION Dollars.

The 1,000 finalists appeared in a two-hour live prime time TV special hosted by Drew Carey. One lucky finalist was awarded the guaranteed One Million Dollar prize. Excitement grew as the finalist matched the first 4 of 6 winning numbers but failed to match all six to win the One Billion Dollar prize.

Why we picked it:
The Pepsi Play for One Billion Dollars promotion cracks our top 5 sweepstakes list because it featured numerous ways to play and win coupled with a live game show giveaway featuring a guaranteed One Million Dollar prize and the chance to win the highest ever cash prize offered on a U.S. game show. Customer response was as high as the game show television ratings. Every Pepsi fan got to see the One Million Dollar prize awarded to the winner and join in the excitement live to see if that new Millionaire became a Billionaire.

McDonald’s American Idol You’re Going To Hollywood Sweepstakes (2007 & 2008)

Program Overview:
American Idol was one of the hottest shows on television. Every night viewers tuned in to cheer for their favorites as they competed for the crown. The McDonald’s American Idol You’re Going to Hollywood Sweepstakes gave 2 lucky fans the chance to win a three day trip for four to Los Angeles California to be in the studio to experience the final performances and results live and in person. This unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience was so popular with customers that McDonald’s ran the program for 2 American Idol seasons.

Why we picked it:
Who wouldn’t want to be in the studio to watch the live performances and final winner decision after weeks of anticipation. McDonald’s made this exclusive and unique experience possible for their customers.

Harley Davidson Financial Services Free Ride (2012+)

Program Overview:
Harley Davidson riders are some of the most loyal brand customers on this planet. They go to Harley rallies, Harley stores and wear Harley gear. And they pay for it all with their Harley branded credit card. But everyone’s wallet is filled with credit cards so to encourage Harley riders to always reach for their Harley Davidson Visa card, Harley Davidson Financial Services worked with MRi to create a year-long, annual sweepstakes. The Free Ride Sweepstakes gave cardmembers the chance to win a new Harley Davidson motorcycle every month. The more they used their card…the better their chances to win.

With the goal to increase card purchases, we knew this promotion would need to be as easy to enter as possible. So, no matter how big or small the purchase, cardmembers received one entry into the monthly drawing for each transaction made with their card.

Why we picked it:
We consider this one of our top 5 sweepstakes because MRi has partnered with Harley Davidson Financial Services for over eight years to keep The Free Ride Sweepstakes running as smooth as a Harley Davidson motorcycle. By reminding loyal Harley customers to reach for their Harley branded VISA, MRi has helped extend the Harley lifestyle for nearly a decade!

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Sweepstakes (2014)

Program Overview:
What does the 4th of July mean to you? Independence day, family get-togethers, grilled burgers and Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest live on national television from New York’s famous Coney Island.

Fans were invited to LIKE Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs Facebook page for a chance to win a trip to see the eating contest live. What better way to build a database of loyal customers who love the Nathan’s Hot Dog brand? The first 10,000 entries were awarded discounts on Nathan’s Hot Dogs at retail stores and Nathan’s Restaurants. Ten first prize winners could choose one of two prize packages which featured tickets to amusement parks, a ball game or a unique exclusive Nathan’s Ultimate Beach BBQ Kit. One lucky grand prize winner was awarded a VIP package for the winner to be an honorary judge at the Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Best of all they got to bring along 3 guests to join them at the event.

Why we picked it:
It’s not every day you get to award fans with the opportunity to be an honorary judge in a hot dog eating contest! This was a very fun program to work on, in addition this Facebook sweepstakes had prizes that involved complex trip coordination and prize fulfillment.

The Doctors Healthiest House Sweepstakes (2014/2015)

Program Overview:
When you’re a daily syndicated daytime television show your challenge is to encourage viewers to create the habit to tune in everyday. The Doctors Show worked to achieve this goal with the Doctors Healthiest House Sweepstakes. Programming gave tips to make your home more healthy while also offering clues each week on a random weekday during the show. Viewers could enter the clue code word each week for a chance to win a State-of-the-Art Healthy Home. Excitement grew, culminating in the live on-air drawing conducted by MRi to pick the One Million Dollar Healthy Home winner from the hundreds of thousands of entries that were received, and award the biggest giveaway prize in daytime television history.

Why we picked it:
The Doctors Healthiest House Sweepstakes not only awarded the biggest giveaway prize but awarded a house that was both energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Even better, the house was awarded to a family that had recently found itself homeless. MRi personnel were live in the studio for the drawing while the rest of the office gathered in our lunchroom to watch the prize be awarded together.

Conclusion

Thank you to ALL our past and present clients for helping us achieve 25 wonderful years! Our list of top 5 sweepstakes may be over, but our commitment to administering award-winning sweepstakes is not! It all starts with a big IDEA, and we look forward to continuing to develop even more memorable promotions. In the meantime, take a deeper look at some of our most recent promotions on our case stories page.