Gewinnspiel(e)

English translation: prize promotion(s)

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Gewinnspiel(e)
English translation:prize promotion(s)
Entered by: Isabel Severing

12:09 Sep 7, 2009
German to English translations [PRO]
Marketing - Marketing / Market Research
German term or phrase: Gewinnspiel(e)
Hi, I'm looking for an overall term to cover prize draws, competitions, etc, not in the legal sense, but as something that a PR agency might offer as a marketing tool. It will be listed on a website along with other services offered.

The term sweepstake(s) for me is purely AE, although my sources claim it's also BE.

I'm considering using 'competions/ prize draws'. I think I have more or less decided to do so.

So I guess I'm just looking for your feedback, esp. on the use of sweepstake, simply because I'm not comfortable with the term.

Many thanks in advance!
Isabel Severing
Local time: 17:49
prize promotion(s)
Explanation:
What are prize promotions?
Prize promotions are part of an overall marketing and sales strategy, generally recognized as games, sweepstakes and contests, where participants have the opportunity to win a prize -- as opposed to couponing, sampling, and other types of promotions. They may be directed to a large consumer group, targeted to a specific audience, or used for business-to-business.
http://www.sweepspros.com/faq.htm
Selected response from:

Audrey Foster (X)
Grading comment
within the context given, this is definitely it!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +3contests
Johanna González
4 +2competition(s)
David Williams
4 +1prize promotion(s)
Audrey Foster (X)
5 -1draw
transatgees
4promotional competition(s)
Sarah Bessioud
4Games
Andrew Catford
4Prize contests
Andrea Garfield-Barkworth


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


28 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): -1
draw


Explanation:
From time to time you see " If you return our questionnaire your name will be entered into a draw for xxxx" or variations on this theme.

transatgees
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:49
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  David Williams: Not wrong, but too specific for the asker's needs.
33 mins
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30 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
promotional competition(s)


Explanation:
If the competition is offered as a marketing tool, then I would recommend this term.

Sweepstake, on the other hand, has a different meaning in BE and is not a suitable alternative in this context.

Sarah Bessioud
Germany
Local time: 17:49
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 28
Notes to answerer
Asker: Hi, and thanks! I guess the addition of 'promotional' does it - whichever term I choose! Just a wee question: WHAT exactly does sweepstake mean in BE?? I really only know the AE use of sweepstakes meaning BE prize draw/ competition!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  David Williams: Once again, it's going off in a certain direction, making it less generic and more specific, if only slightly.
34 mins
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9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
competition(s)


Explanation:
Doesn't competition cover it? If not, why not?
If not competition, then contest would be my next suggestion.

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Note added at 10 mins (2009-09-07 12:20:12 GMT)
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(http://dictionary.reverso.net/ is the Collins dictionary)

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Note added at 1 hr (2009-09-07 13:10:44 GMT)
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No, that's not the case, a competition can just as well be a prize draw where you don't have to do anything but enter as a contest where you have to actually do/achieve something. I'd say it is the most generic term.

Example sentence(s):
  • Gewinnspiel - competition

    Reference: http://dictionary.reverso.net/german-english/Gewinnspiel
David Williams
Germany
Local time: 17:49
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16
Notes to answerer
Asker: Hi, and thanks. But, to answer you question: Why not? In my opinion, because competition may be misunderstood to mean that you have to DO something, rather than just enter a draw. And I'm looking for a generic term to cover all such promotional draws / competitions / whatsits. Contest would go even more in that direction. Also, potential readers of the website may not be native speakers of English, so the less ambiguity, the better.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Thomas Pfann: Two examples I frequently use: visitlondon.co.uk and timeout.com have sections labelled 'Competitions' with prize draws/give-aways. For some you may have to answer a simple question but in most cases you just enter your name. Seems clear and generic.
6 hrs
  -> Thanks Thomas!

agree  philgoddard: Seems obvious to me.
12 hrs
  -> Me too, I'm puzzled by the asker's choice.
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +3
contests


Explanation:
Alle Webseiten, bei denen solche Gewinnspiele angeboten werden sprechen von "contests" (siehe Beispiele unten).

Eine "competition" ist eher ein Wettbewerb, man hat also direkten Kontakt zu anderen Mitspielern. Bei einem "contest" ist dies nicht der Fall.

Gewinnspiele werden z.B. auf contestguide.com, contesthound.com, contestalley.com, usw angeboten.


    Reference: http://www.contestalley.com/
    Reference: http://www.contestguide.com/
Johanna González
Germany
Local time: 17:49
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Hi, personally I think more of a beauty contest or the like when I hear the term. Competition doesn't have to mean that you are in any kind of contact with other entrants - it could just mean that you have to answer a simple question. Or not even that, as far as its usage, not its meaning, goes. But thanks for the suggestion!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  mary austria
2 hrs

agree  Rolf Keiser: in contests there are usually winners and prizes
2 hrs

agree  Trudy Peters
5 hrs

disagree  David Williams: contests are a more specific form of competition, usually requiring action by the contestants rather than potentially simply entry. They are basically synonymous though, there are winners and prizes in both. I'd say contest = Wettbewerb, not Gewinnspiel
7 hrs
  -> I´m pretty sure it´s the other way around. At least around here it is used that way.

agree  Harald Moelzer (medical-translator)
1 day 17 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Games


Explanation:
I'd opt for the broadest possible sense, since your PR firm is presumably claiming the ability to devise games that enhance brand recognition or increase client sales.

Games can include every promotional gambit from collecting soup can labels to voting for your favourite penguin. The virtue of "games" is also that it sounds harmless and covers the range of payoffs from free fries with the burger to big cash without the taint of gambling.

Example sentence(s):
  • We designed the "Play Pepsi Monopoly" game and quadrupled client sales for almost 24 hours.
Andrew Catford
United States
Local time: 10:49
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
prize promotion(s)


Explanation:
What are prize promotions?
Prize promotions are part of an overall marketing and sales strategy, generally recognized as games, sweepstakes and contests, where participants have the opportunity to win a prize -- as opposed to couponing, sampling, and other types of promotions. They may be directed to a large consumer group, targeted to a specific audience, or used for business-to-business.
http://www.sweepspros.com/faq.htm

Audrey Foster (X)
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
within the context given, this is definitely it!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Hi, and thanks - it may be AE in usage, but even if, it's absolutely accurate. Just raises the question whether Gewinnspiel is that broad that it covers coupons etc. as well...


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kim Metzger: By George, I think you've got it. http://www.asaecenter.org/PublicationsResources/AMMagArticle...
54 mins
  -> Thank you, Kim. Some interesting facts in your reference - thanks again :-)

agree  Anne-Marie Grant (X)
1 hr
  -> Thank you, Anne-Marie Grant

disagree  David Williams: No, this is even more specific an less generic than the other suggestions. She wants a generic term!
6 hrs
  -> Thank you, David, for your insightful input
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Prize contests


Explanation:
This would cover prize draws and competitions I feel.

Andrea Garfield-Barkworth
Germany
Local time: 17:49
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
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