Digital prize draws and marketing promotions are becoming increasingly popular as effective tools for attracting and retaining target audiences. A fundamental condition for the success of such campaigns among participants is the organizer’s ability to ensure and demonstrate objectivity, fairness, and impartiality in the selection of winners in the public domain.
If the winner selection process lacks transparency and security, even the use of a random number generator does not guarantee impartiality. For example, this may occur if the generator is:
- created by dishonest programmers;
- though technically reliable, deployed by an unscrupulous technical contractor via the Internet.
Enhancing participants’ trust in prize draws and promotional campaigns is a top priority for organizers, and ensuring fairness and impartiality in winner selection reduces reputational, financial, and legal risks.
How to increase trust and mitigate risks
Engaging a reputable independent audit organization to implement a transparent random selection algorithm, configured strictly in accordance with the technical specification and campaign rules for determining winners, addresses this key challenge.
Marillion is one of the leading audit and consulting groups in Russia, operating in the market for more than 30 years, with an impeccable reputation and a reliable track record in solving diverse business tasks.
Engaging the Marillion team will:
- ensure transparency, impartiality, and independence in the winner selection procedures;
- increase audience confidence both in the draw itself and in the organizers as a whole.
The independence of the employees of Marillion Audit, LLC is regulated at the legislative level by the Code of Ethics for Auditors. Every professional involved in providing the service is independent from the client and adheres to the auditor independence requirements.
As an audit organization, Marillion guarantees:
- transparency: the ability to reproduce the process step by step and demonstrate results in an interactive environment;
- objectivity: application of a fixed random selection mechanism without human influence;
- security and compliance: adherence to the client’s technical specification and campaign rules;
- reliability: testing the algorithm on a test dataset and verifying compliance with the requirements.
Risks eliminated by engaging Marillion as an independent expert
There are several ways in which a random selection can be distorted when a random number generator is misused:
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Type of manipulation |
Our solution |
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Use of a random number generator whose functionality has been designed to select a specific winner. Use of a counterfeit web service imitating number generation that is virtually indistinguishable and may have a domain like a real website. Tampering with results even when using a verified external random number generator. Publication of falsified results by a dishonest technical service provider. Manipulation of the participant database used for winner selection, whereby a dishonest technical service provider may replace, exclude or add participants. |
Marillion experts independently configure a reliable random selection algorithm fully in accordance with the technical specification and campaign rules, without relying on external random number generators or the Internet. Marillion conducts video recording of the entire draw process, including: Organizers receive a report listing winning numbers, which can be published on their website. Marillion representatives can also participate in live broadcasts to announce winners, confirming the independence and impartiality of the process. A secure FTP server in Russia (with restricted access) is used to receive the selection database, preventing external modification. As Marillion Audit, LLC is a licensed audit firm, the independence of its professionals is regulated by law. |
How we can help your business
Marillion team provides services for the independent determination of winners/winning tickets/numbers in prize draws and promotional campaigns using a randomized selection algorithm.
Stages of work and its results:
- Development of procedures for conducting the draw using a standard random selection function configured based on proven practices and aligned with the client’s requirements and campaign rules;
- Simulation of the algorithm on a test dataset to demonstrate its correctness and reliability;
- Execution of the draw in an interactive development environment that visualizes the process and outcomes step by step, with video recording and documentation of the draw stages; results are available for review, ensuring transparency and lack of bias;
- If necessary, participation of Marillion representatives in live prize draw broadcasts;
- A report from the independent audit organization detailing procedures conducted and results achieved.
We adhere strictly to agreed timelines and, drawing on our extensive experience in similar engagements, provide comprehensive methodological support to our clients whenever required.
*Services are executed in strict compliance with International Standard on Related Services 4400 (revised) – Engagements to Perform Agreed-Upon Procedures, effective in Russia by order of the Ministry of Finance (Order No. 163n dated 27.10.2021).
In addition, Marillion team possesses deep expertise and extensive experience in providing comprehensive legal support for the organization and implementation of promotional campaigns (including promotions, prize draws, and similar activities, hereinafter referred to as “promotions”), which includes:
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Tax and legal structuring of relationships between the promotion organizer and the promotion operator
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Tax and legal structuring of relationships between the promotion operator and promotion partners, including the selection of appropriate legal frameworks for relationships involving the transfer of prizes with different legal classifications (promo codes, tangible goods, discounts, apartments in buildings under construction, etc.)
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Full support of contractual work with promotion partners: drafting agreements and representing the interests of the promotion operator and organizer during negotiations and approval processes up to and including execution (including participation in negotiations)
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Ad hoc legal advice on various matters related to promotions and participation therein (eligibility and age requirements, personal taxation, implementation of new participation tools and mechanisms, transition of promotions to a digital format, mechanics of super prize draws, personal data processing, etc.)
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Drafting of terms and conditions (rules) of promotional campaigns
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Legal review (for compliance with applicable laws and with the terms and concept of the promotion) of:
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product packaging in relation to promotion-related information
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promotion advertising materials (digital, OOH (Out-of-Home), POP (Point of Purchase), etc.)
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press releases, including co-branded and partner press releases
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website and mobile application sections dedicated to promotions
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- Preparation of a complete set of documents for formalizing prize transfers to promotion winners, including documentation addressing personal taxation issues
We assist in confirming the fairness and transparency of prize draws, contests, and promotional campaigns that use random number generators and involve the selection of winners based on random and/or algorithmic selection principles.
Who can benefit from this service
Our experience shows that this service is especially in demand for:
- Direct organizers of promotional campaigns (B2C companies), prize draws, and contests seeking to enhance transparency in winner selection and increase participant loyalty. Typical clients include marketplaces, retailers, quick-service restaurants, financial institutions, telecom companies, etc.
- Campaign operators (advertising agencies) looking to protect against potential claims and minimize risks.
Marillion team works both directly with promotion organizers and with advertising agencies, striving to ensure transparency of procedures and to mitigate and eliminate all potential risks.
Examples of implemented projects
Marillion experts have successfully supported clients in prize draws and promotional campaigns for several years. Among the relevant examples are:
- A large-scale promotional campaign by a major quick-service restaurant chain;
- A super prize draw for a leading restaurant network;
- Independent determination of winners in a major draw conducted as part of the flagship autumn campaign of a scooter rental service.
In a highly competitive environment for audience attention, transparency and fairness in prize draws are not only ethical standards but business necessities. Companies that invest in fair winner selection mechanisms achieve:
- increased customer loyalty;
- reduced reputational, financial, and legal risks;
- enhanced viral effects of campaigns due to participant trust.
