Official Contest and Sweeps Rules | America Deserves A Raise

“America Deserves A Raise” Contest

Official Rules

OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES (INCLUDING THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA), EXCLUDING RESIDENTS OF ARKANSAS, GEORGIA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, WEST VIRGINIA AND U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. U.S. LAW GOVERNS THIS CONTEST.

1. ENTRY PERIOD: The entry period for the “America Deserves A Raise” Contest begins at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on April 19, 2010 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on July 27, 2010 (the “Entry Period”).

2. ELIGIBILITY: This contest is open only to persons who are 18 years of age or older and a legal resident of the United States (including the District of Columbia), except for residents of Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and U.S. territories and possessions other than the District of Columbia. Employees of Advance America, Cash Advance Centers, Inc. (“Sponsor”), its subsidiaries, affiliates, distributors, and advertising, promotion and Internet agencies, and their immediate family (i.e., parents, children, siblings, spouse) and household members, are not eligible. Void in Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and U.S. territories and possessions (other than the District of Columbia) and where prohibited by law. In the event of a dispute regarding any online entry, the entry will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at the time of entry (i.e., the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an Internet access provider, on-line service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address).

3. HOW TO ENTER: To enter, access www.AmericaDeservesARaise.com (the “Website”) and follow the entry instructions. Each entrant will be required to identify a living person that the entrant believes deserves a raise (each a “Nominee”) and to submit with each entry an essay of no more than 500 words describing why the Nominee deserves a raise. Entrants are permitted to identify themselves as their Nominee, but in the event that the Grand Prize or Second Prize is also the Nominee, then the portion of the prize allocated to the Nominee will not be awarded to the winner/Nominee but will instead be donated by Sponsor to a non-profit and/or charitable organization, as described in Section 6. Nominees may be anyone who is regularly engaged in work of any type, whether in or out of the home and whether for monetary compensation or otherwise. Essays must comply with the Submission Guidelines set forth in Section 4 below. Entries must be submitted and received by Sponsor (as defined below) by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 27, 2010. Normal time rates, if any, charged by the Internet service provider will apply. There is no limit on the number of entries per person, but each essay must be original and unique. Submission of duplicate essays will constitute grounds for disqualification. No purchase is necessary. Prior to submission, each entrant must obtain from the Nominee and any other person identified in the essay consent to the person’s inclusion in the essay and to the use of the essay by the Sponsor Parties (as defined in Section 7) as permitted hereunder. Entries will not be returned.

4. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: All essays submitted in the Contest must comply with the following guidelines: (a) the essay must be truthful and accurate; (b) the essay (including the copyright in the essay) must be owned by the entrant; (c) the essay must not previously have been published or won any award; (d) the essay must not depict or refer to any brand or trademark other than Advance America; (e) the essay must be original and have been written solely by the entrant; (f) the essay must not contain any material that would violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party, including without limitation copyrights, trademarks or rights of privacy or publicity, or that is defamatory, threatening, indecent, obscene or offensive, or that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to any applicable laws or regulations, or whose use by the Sponsor Parties requires a license or permission from any third party; (g) if the essay identifies any person other than the entrant, the entrant must have prior to submission obtained such person’s consent to the use by the Sponsor Parties of the essay including such person’s name and/or other identifying information, as applicable, as permitted hereunder; (h) the essay must not contain any material that Sponsor, in its sole discretion, deems inappropriate for public viewing; and (i) the essay must be written in English. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify and/or not to post on the Website any essay that Sponsor determines does not comply with these guidelines, to make such changes to any essay as are necessary to make it compliant, or to require the entrant to do so.

5. SELECTION OF WINNERS: The potential winners will be determined in a two-phase selection process. All potential winners are subject to verification. First Round - Public Selection: All essays submitted in compliance with these Official Rules by an eligible entrant will be posted at the Website and will be available for viewing and judging by visitors to the Website through the remainder of the Entry Period. Essays will be posted on a rolling basis as they are received, so the earlier in the Entry Period you submit your essay, the longer the period of time that the essay will be available for viewing and judging by visitors to the Website. Voters will be required to give an individual score on a sliding scale of one (1) to ten (10) based on application of the following four judging criteria: the essay clearly expresses how someone deserves a raise by demonstrating the nominee’s efforts beyond and above his/her peers which are above expectations; the essay expresses how the nominee contributes in a meaningful way and makes a difference in overall work environment and the lives of others; the essay has the ability to inspire others; the essay’s overall impression. Each voter will be permitted to vote for an essay multiple times throughout the Entry Period; however, any votes obtained or submitted as a result of unfair or abusive activity, as determined by the Sponsor, will be discarded and not be included in the final count used to select finalists. Unfair or abusive activity includes, but is not limited to, use of software applications that automatically generate votes. The one hundred (100) essays that receive the highest average scores in the public judging will be selected as potential “First Round” winners. In the event of a tie, the tied entrant with the higher average “overall impression” score as determined by the public judging, will be selected as the winner. In the event of any further ties, the tied entrant with the highest average score in the following categories and in the order as listed here will be selected as the First Round winner as determined by the public judging: the essay clearly expresses how someone deserves a raise by demonstrating the nominee’s efforts beyond and above his/her peers which are above expectations; the essay expresses how the nominee contributes in a meaningful way and makes a difference in overall work environment and the lives of others; the essay has the ability to inspire others. If after following this process there are still tied entrants as determined by the public judging, the tied entrants with the highest raw number of votes received will be selected as the First Round winner. Each of the potential First Round winners will advance to the Second Round of judging, as described below. Essays that are not potential First Round winners will not advance to the Second Round. Second Round - Selection by Judges: One (1) potential Grand Prize winner and one (1) potential Second Prize winner. Prize winner will be selected by judges designated by Sponsor (the “Judges”), on or about August 13, 2010 from among all potential First Round winners. The Judges will score each entrant’s essay based on the following criteria, weighted equally: the essay clearly expresses how someone deserves a raise by demonstrating the nominee’s efforts beyond and above his/her peers which are above expectations; the essay expresses how the nominee contributes in a meaningful way and makes a difference in overall work environment and the lives of others; the essay has the ability to inspire others; the essay’s overall impression. The highest scoring essay, based on the foregoing criteria, will be the potential Grand Prize winner, and the next highest-scoring essay will be the potential Second Prize winner. In the event of a tie, the tied entrant with the highest score in the essay’s overall impression category will be deemed the winner. Winner must be living at the time of selection. The entrants who submitted the Grand Prize and Second Prize-winning essays will be notified by mail, telephone and/or email, within approximately 14 days of selection. If a potential winner cannot be reached within forty-eight (48) hours of initial notification attempt (Sponsor reserves the right not to leave messages on answering machines), he or she will be disqualified and the prize awarded to an alternate winner. Potential winners and their Nominees may be required to complete and return to Sponsor an Affidavit of Eligibility (certifying, among other things, that the essay is original, was written solely by the entrant, is truthful and accurate and does not contain any material that would violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party, including without limitation copyrights). If a potential winner fails to respond to any notification attempt within the time period specified by Sponsor, or if any attempted notification or prize delivery is returned as undeliverable, or if the potential winner or Nominee fails to complete and return any required affidavit or release within the specified time period, the potential winner may be disqualified and an alternate winner selected. Verification of potential winners’ eligibility may include, without limitation, a background investigation of the winner and/or Nominee, and entrants agree to supply and to cause their Nominees to supply any authorizations or permission deemed necessary by Sponsor in connection with any such investigation. If a potential winner, 18 years of age or older, is still considered a minor under the laws of his or her jurisdiction of residency, Sponsor reserves the right in its discretion to award the prize to a parent or legal guardian and/or to require a parent or legal guardian to execute any required Affidavit./Release.

6. PRIZES: Grand Prize: One (1) Grand Prize will be awarded. The Grand Prize consists of $40,000, which will be awarded to the Grand Prize winner, and an additional $40,000, which will be awarded to the Grand Prize winner’s Nominee unless the Grand Prize winner is also the Nominee (i.e., the winner identified himself or herself as the Nominee), in which case such additional $40,000 will be awarded instead to a non-profit and/or charitable organization determined by Sponsor in its discretion. The value of the Grand Prize is $80,000. Second Prize: One (1) Second Prize will be awarded. The Second Prize consists of $5,000, which will be awarded to the Second Prize winner, and an additional $5,000, which will be awarded to the Second Prize winner’s Nominee unless the Second Prize winner is also the Nominee (i.e., the winner identified himself or herself as the Nominee), in which case such additional $5,000 will be awarded instead to a non-profit and/or charitable organization determined by Sponsor in its discretion. The value of the Second Prize is $10,000. First Round Prizes: One hundred (100) First Round Prizes will be awarded. Each First Round Prize consists of a $50 Visa Gift® Card, which will be awarded to the First Round prize winner, and an additional $50 Visa Gift® Card, which will be awarded to the First Prize winner’s Nomine. Use of cards is subject to card terms and conditions. Expiration dates and other restrictions may apply. General Conditions: All prizes will be awarded if properly claimed. No substitution or transfer of the right to receive any prize is permitted, except in the discretion of Sponsor, which reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value. Prizes consist only of items expressly specified in these Official Rules. All expenses or costs associated with the acceptance or use of any prize or any component thereof that are not expressly specified in these Official Rules are the responsibility of the winner. All federal, state, and local taxes on prize value, if applicable, are the responsibility of the recipient. An IRS form 1099 will be issued if required by law. Form of payment for all prizes will be determined by Sponsor in its discretion. Without limitation of the foregoing, First Round prizes may be awarded in the form of prepaid gift cards. The total value of all prizes is $100,000. Visa® Gift Cards are issued by MetaBank™ pursuant to a license from VISA U.S.A. Inc.

7. GRANT OF RIGHTS: Entry constitutes a grant of permission to Sponsor and its parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, promotional partners, agents, and those they may designate from time to time (all of the foregoing, the “Sponsor Parties”), to use each entrant’s name, likeness, and city and state of residence and all entry materials (including the essay), including without limitation, modifying, altering or amending the essay, for purposes of trade, publicity or promotion, in all media whether now known or later developed, without any additional notice, consent or compensation (except where prohibited by law). Without limitation of the foregoing, by entering the Contest each entrant agrees that the Sponsor may display the entrant’s essay online at Sponsor’s website for public viewing and/or comment.

8. GENERAL TERMS: Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, disqualify any entry that it deems to have violated any provision of the Official Rules and its decisions in this regard are final. By submitting an essay, each entrant certifies that the essay complies fully with the Submission Guidelines. Sponsor will have the right in its discretion to edit essays, including without limitation correcting spelling and/or grammatical errors, prior to display on the Website. Sponsor is not responsible for incomplete, lost, late, damaged, illegible, delayed or corrupted entries, misdelivered, delayed or misdirected email, incorrect or inaccurate capture of, damage to, or loss of entries or entry information, or any human or technical errors of any kind relating to the submission, collection, storage or processing of entries or the administration of the Contest. Sponsor is not responsible for undeliverable e-mails resulting from any form of active or passive e-mail filtering by a user's Internet service provider and/or e-mail client or for insufficient space in user's e-mail account to receive e-mail. Sponsor is not responsible for any liability for damage to any computer system resulting from participation in or accessing or downloading information in connection with this promotion. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry or voting process. Sponsor may prohibit any potential entrant from participating in the Contest or winning a prize if, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest by cheating, hacking, deception or other unfair playing practices or intends or is attempting to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or any representative of Sponsor. The use of automated devices, programs or methods to submit entries or votes is prohibited and Sponsor reserves the rights, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any entry or vote that it believes may have been submitted using such an automated device, program or method. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, modify or suspend this Contest should a virus, bugs, entrant fraud or misconduct, or other causes beyond the reasonable control of the Sponsor corrupt the administration, integrity, security or proper operation of the Contest. In the event of termination of the Contest, a notice will be posted online and winners will be selected from all eligible entries received prior to the time of termination. Entry times will be determined using Sponsor’s computer, which will be the official clock for the Contest. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. By entering, each entrant releases and agrees to hold each of the Sponsor Parties and each of their directors, officers, employees, successors and assigns, harmless from and against any and all claims and liability arising out of participation in the Contest or the use or redemption of any prize. Entrants assume all liability for any injury or damage caused, or claimed to be caused, by participation in this contest or use or redemption of any prize. By participating in this Contest, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor and the judges, which are final and binding in all respects. Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the contest or in the announcement of the prize. In no event will more than the stated number of prizes be awarded. By entering the Contest, entrants agree that (a) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Contest, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (b) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Contest, but in no event attorneys' fees; and (c) under no circumstances will any entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, special, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrants and Sponsor in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of South Carolina. Any legal proceedings arising out of this contest or relating to these Official Rules shall be instituted only in the federal or state courts located in the State of South Carolina, County of Spartanburg, and the parties consent to jurisdiction therein with respect to any legal proceedings or disputes of whatever nature arising under or relating to these rules.

9. WINNERS LIST: For the names of the winners, available after August 13, 2010, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Erwin-Penland, “America Deserves A Raise Contest,” 125 E. Broad St., Greenville, SC 29601.

10. SPONSOR: Advance America, Cash Advance Centers, Inc. 135 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306.

“America Deserves A Raise” Sweepstakes

Official Rules

1. ENTRY PERIOD: The entry period for the “America Deserves A Raise” Sweepstakes begins at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on April 19, 2010 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on July 27, 2010 (the “Entry Period”).

2. ELIGIBILITY: This sweepstakes is open only to persons who are 18 years of age or older and a legal resident of the United States (including the District of Columbia), except for residents of Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and U.S. territories and possessions other than the District of Columbia. Employees of Advance America, Cash Advance Centers, Inc. (“Sponsor”), its subsidiaries, affiliates, distributors, and advertising, promotion and Internet agencies, and their immediate family (i.e., parents, children, siblings, spouse) and household members, are not eligible. Void in Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and U.S. territories and possessions (other than the District of Columbia) and where prohibited by law.

3. HOW TO ENTER: To enter, access www.AmericaDeservesARaise.com and follow the on-screen entry instructions. Normal time rates, if any, charged by Internet service provider will apply. Entries must be submitted and received by Sponsor by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 27, 2010. There is a limit of one sweepstakes entry per day, per person and per telephone number. Limit of one sweepstakes win per person. No purchase necessary. In the event of a dispute regarding any online entry, the entry will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at the time of entry (i.e., the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an Internet access provider, on-line service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address).

4. SELECTION OF WINNERS: One (1) prize winner will be drawn for each day of the Entry Period. Each online entry will be included in the drawing for the day during the Entry Period during which such entry was received and each subsequent drawing, provided that if an entrant is selected as a potential winner in any drawing, the entrant will not be included in any subsequent drawings. Odds of winning the prize depend on the number of eligible entries received as of the date of the applicable daily drawing. Winners are subject to verification. Winners must be living at the time of selection. Potential winners may, in Sponsor’s discretion, be required to complete and return to Sponsor an Affidavit of Eligibility/Release of Liability, and, if legally permissible, a Publicity Release within 10 days of attempted delivery of same. If a potential winner cannot be reached within 48 hours of the initial notification attempt (Sponsor reserves the right not to leave messages on voice mail or answering machines) or fails to respond to any notification attempt within the time period specified by Sponsor, or if any attempted notification or prize delivery is returned as undeliverable, or if the potential winner fails to complete and return any required affidavit or release within the specified time period, the potential winner may be disqualified and an alternate winner selected. If a potential winner, 18 years of age or older is still considered a minor under the laws of his or her jurisdiction of residency, Sponsor reserves the right in its discretion to award the prize to a parent or legal guardian and/or to require a parent or legal guardian to complete any required Affidavit/Release.

5. PRIZES: A total of one hundred (100) prizes will be awarded, each of which will consist of a $100.00 Visa® Gift Card. The total approximate retail value of all prizes is $10,000.00. Use of gift cards is subject to card terms and conditions. Expiration dates and other restrictions may apply. All prizes will be awarded if properly claimed. No substitution, cash redemption or transfer of the right to receive any prize is permitted, except in the discretion of Sponsor, which reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value. Prizes consist only of items expressly specified in these Official Rules. All expenses or costs associated with the acceptance or use of any prize or any component thereof that are not expressly specified in these Official Rules are the responsibility of the winner. All federal, state, and local taxes on prize value, if applicable, are the responsibility of the winner. Visa® Gift Cards are issued by MetaBank™ pursuant to a license from VISA U.S.A. Inc.

6. GENERAL TERMS: Sponsor is not responsible for incomplete, lost, late, damaged, illegible, delayed or corrupted entries, misdelivered, delayed or misdirected email, incorrect or inaccurate capture of, damage to, or loss of entries or entry information, or any human or technical errors of any kind relating to the submission, collection, storage or processing of entries or the administration of the sweepstakes. Sponsor is not responsible for undeliverable e-mails resulting from any form of active or passive e-mail filtering by a user's Internet service provider and/or e-mail client or for insufficient space in user's e-mail account to receive e-mail. Sponsor is not responsible for any liability for damage to any computer system resulting from participation in or accessing or downloading information in connection with this promotion. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process. Sponsor may prohibit any potential entrant from participating in the Sweepstakes or winning a prize if, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes by cheating, hacking, deception or other unfair playing practices or intends or is attempting to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or any representative of Sponsor. The use of automated devices, programs or methods to submit entries is prohibited and Sponsor reserves the rights, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any entry that it believes may have been submitted using such an automated device, program or method. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, modify or suspend this sweepstakes should a virus, bugs, entrant fraud or misconduct, or other causes beyond the reasonable control of the Sponsor corrupt the administration, integrity, security or proper operation of the sweepstakes. In the event of termination of the sweepstakes, a notice will be posted online and the prizes will be awarded in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received prior to the time of termination. Entry times will be determined using Sponsor’s computer, which will be the official clock for the sweepstakes. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. By entering, each entrant releases and agrees to hold Sponsor and its affiliates, subsidiaries, distributors and agents, and each of their directors, officers, employees, successors and assigns, harmless from and against any and all claims and liability arising out of participation in the sweepstakes or the use or redemption of the prize. Entrants assume all liability for any injury or damage caused, or claimed to be caused, by participation in this sweepstakes or the use or redemption of any prize. Entry constitutes permission for Sponsor and its parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents and licensees to use the entrant’s name and/or likeness for purposes of advertising and trade and other commercial purposes without further notice, consent or compensation, unless prohibited by law. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. By participating in this promotion, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects. Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the sweepstakes or in the announcement of the prize. In no event will more than the stated number of prizes be awarded. By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants agree that (a) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (b) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys' fees; and (c) under no circumstances will any entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, special, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrants and Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of South Carolina. Any legal proceedings arising out of this sweepstakes or relating to these Official Rules shall be instituted only in the federal or state courts located in the State of South Carolina, County of Spartanburg, and the parties consent to jurisdiction therein with respect to any legal proceedings or disputes of whatever nature arising under or relating to these rules.

7. WINNERS LIST: For the names of the winners check the website at www.AmericaDeservesARaise.com or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Erwin-Penland, “America Deserves A Raise Sweepstakes,” 125 E. Broad St., Greenville, SC 29601.

8. SPONSOR: Advance America, Cash Advance Centers, Inc., 135 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306.