Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM) and its subsidiaries.
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER, WIN OR CLAIM A PRIZE. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
VOID OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. VOID IN MAINE. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CHALLENGE. The Northwestern Mutual NCAA® March Madness® Bracket Challenge (the “Challenge”) is a no-cost bracket-style game open to the public. Those who validly register and submit a valid entry (the “Participants”) are eligible to win a prize.
The Challenge lets Participants test their college basketball knowledge by attempting to select the winner of each of 63 games of the 2013 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament, excluding the First Round games played on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 and Wednesday, March 20, 2013 (the “Tournament”). Persons may register beginning on March 4, 2013, at (12:00 p.m.) Eastern Time. Entries may be submitted starting at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 17, 2013 and ending one hour prior to the scheduled tip-off of the first Tournament game played on March 21, 2013 (the “Registration Period”). The Challenge is subject to all applicable laws and regulations. Void in Maine and wherever prohibited.
ELIGIBILITY. The Challenge is open to legal residents of the United States (other than Maine) and the District of Columbia who are age 18 years or older. Employees, officers, directors, agents and shareholders (and their immediate families and household members) of rEvolution Marketing, LLC (“rEvolution”); STATS LLC (“STATS”); the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA®”); Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (“Turner”); CBS Broadcasting, Inc. (“CBS”); and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, agents and affiliates are ineligible. In addition, any person employed by or associated with any business client or prospective business client of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, may enter only in his/her individual capacity.
SPONSORS AND CHALLENGE ENTITIES. The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (“Northwestern Mutual”) is the sponsor of the Challenge (the “Sponsor.”). The Sponsor, the NCAA®, Turner, CBS, rEvolution and STATS are collectively referred to as the “Challenge Entities.” rEvolution and STATS are the administrators of the Challenge (the “Administrators”). The NCAA® is not a Sponsor or Administrator of the Challenge.
REGISTRATION. Prior to the Registration Period, the Sponsor will publicize through various public means various Challenge URL’s and various Challenge Entry Codes. Using a Challenge URL, Participants must navigate to the Challenge’s registration page; enter the Challenge Entry Code (if one is called for on that URL); and follow all instructions to validly register to participate in the Challenge.
AGREEMENT TO OFFICIAL RULES. All persons who register or attempt to register for the Challenge acknowledge that they have read and understand these Official Rules and Regulations (the “Official Rules”) and accept and agree to be bound by them in all respects. In addition, all persons who register for the Challenge agree to be contacted by Northwestern Mutual and/or its agents (including by email) regarding its products and services.
SUBMITTING A BRACKET. After registering, Participants must log onto the Challenge website located at www.brackets.nm.com; follow all instructions to create an entry that predicts one (1) winner for each of the 63 games in the Tournament, by clicking on the name of the team in each round which the Participant believes will win that game; and follow all instructions to submit the entry.
To be eligible, each validly completed entry associated with a validly completed registration (an “Entry”) must be received by no later than one hour prior to the scheduled tip-off of the first Tournament game played on March 21, 2013. An Entry may be revised one or more times prior to this deadline.
Limit one Entry per person. Entries generated by automated means are ineligible. False or deceptive entries are ineligible.
All Entries must be in the name of an individual person. Prizes will be awarded only to the person whose name is on the winning Entry.
SCORING. Participants earn points based on each correct prediction of the winning team in each of the 63 games of the Tournament. A maximum of 192 points can be earned if all games are predicted correctly. The Administrators’ determination of the points accumulated by Entries is final. Points will be awarded as follows:
| Round | Points |
|---|---|
| Round of 64 | 1 point for each correctly predicted game (32 points possible) |
| Round of 32 | 2 points for each correctly predicted game (32 points possible) |
| Sweet 16® | 4 points for each correctly predicted game (32 points possible) |
| Elite 8® | 8 points for each correctly predicted game (32 points possible) |
| Final Four® | 16 points for each correctly predicted game (32 points possible) |
| National Championship | 32 points for correct prediction (32 points possible) |
WINNERS.
1. Public Prize: One prize (the “Public Prize”) will be awarded to the eligible Participant (1) who is not a member of the “Northwestern Mutual Field” and (2) whose Entry is selected at random by the Administrators from among the four (4) highest point-earning Entries (excluding Entries of Participants who are members of the Northwestern Mutual Field) in the Challenge, as determined by the Administrators (the “Public Prize Winner”). The “Northwestern Mutual Field” means (i) Northwestern Mutual field management, (ii) Northwestern Mutual financial representatives and associate financial representatives, and (iii) employees of Northwestern Mutual general agents, Northwestern Mutual district agents, and Northwestern Mutual financial representatives.
2. Northwestern Mutual Field Prize: One Northwestern Mutual Field prize (the “Northwestern Mutual Field Prize”) will be awarded to the eligible Participant (1) who is a member of the Northwestern Mutual Field, (2) who registers for the Challenge using his/her nmfn.com email address, and (3) whose Entry is selected at random by the Administrators from among the four (4) highest point-earning Entries (excluding Entries of Participants who are not members of the Northwestern Mutual Field) in the Challenge, as determined by the Administrators (the “Northwestern Mutual Field Prize Winner”). Northwestern Mutual financial representatives and field management must be contracted and in good standing as of February 27, 2013, and contracted or retired and in either case in good standing as of the date prizing is awarded, in order to be the Northwestern Mutual Field Prize Winner.
3. Northwestern Mutual Team Captain Prize: One prize (the “Northwestern Mutual Team Captain Prize”) will be awarded to the Northwestern Mutual financial representative or member of Northwestern Mutual field management, if any, associated with the Challenge Entry Code of the Public Prize Winner (the “Northwestern Mutual Team Captain Prize Winner”). Northwestern Mutual financial representatives and field management must be contracted and in good standing as of February 27, 2013, and contracted or retired and in either case in good standing as of the date prizing is awarded, in order to be the Northwestern Mutual Team Captain Prize Winner.
The Public Prize Winner, Northwestern Mutual Field Prize Winner, and Northwestern Mutual Team Captain Prize Winner are collectively referred to as “Winners.”
TIE-BREAKERS. At the conclusion of the Tournament, the total points accumulated by each Entry will be calculated as described above. In the event that one or more ties among the four (4) highest point-earning Entries results in more than four Entries being eligible for the random selection of the Public Prize Winner or the Northwestern Mutual Field Prize Winner, as described above, the Administrators will select at random from among such Entries the four Entries from which the Public Prize Winner or the Northwestern Mutual Field Prize Winner, as appropriate, will be selected.
PRIZES. Prizes are awarded on an “as is” basis. The Challenge Entities make no warranty or guarantee, express or implied, concerning prizes.
Winners are responsible for all costs and expenses associated with any prize that are not expressly provided for herein, such as meals, hotel charges, additional ground transportation, gratuities, taxes, fees, and all other such expenses.
All prize details, including travel arrangements and hotel accommodations, are determined by Sponsors. Travel arrangements are subject to availability and other restrictions. Tickets are subject to terms, conditions and restrictions of issuers. Winners and guests must travel on the same itinerary.
If any portion of any prize is canceled, postponed, undeliverable or unavailable for any reason, Sponsors will have no obligation to compensate any Winner. No substitution or transfer of prizes permitted. No cash redemptions permitted.
Public Prize. The Public Prize Winner will receive one five-day/four-night trip for Public Prize Winner and one guest to the 2014 NCAA® Men’s Final Four® in Dallas, TX (currently anticipated to take place April 5-7, 2014), at an approximate retail value of Six Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars ($6,500). The trip will include the following: (a) round-trip coach-class airline tickets from the major U.S. airport nearest to Public Prize Winner’s primary residence to a Dallas, TX area airport for Public Prize Winner and one guest. If Public Prize Winner’s primary residence is within 150 miles of the Dallas, TX metro area, ground transportation may be provided in lieu of air transportation and no compensation or substitution will be provided for difference in prize value; (b) one room, double occupancy, standard hotel accommodations (at a hotel determined by Sponsors) for Public Prize Winner and one guest for four nights; (c) two tickets to the National Semifinal games; (d) two tickets to Championship Final game; and (e) round-trip ground transportation for Public Prize Winner and one guest between the airport and hotel, and between the hotel and Final Four® venue.
Northwestern Mutual Field Prize. The Northwestern Mutual Field Prize Winner will receive one five-day/four-night trip for the Northwestern Mutual Field Prize Winner and one guest to the 2014 NCAA® Men’s Final Four® in Dallas, TX (currently anticipated to take place April 5-7, 2014), at an approximate retail value of Six Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars ($6,500). The trip will include the following: (a) round-trip coach-class airline tickets from the major U.S. airport nearest to Northwestern Mutual Field Prize Winner’s primary residence to a Dallas, TX area airport for Northwestern Mutual Field Prize Winner and one guest. If the Northwestern Mutual Field Prize Winner’s primary residence is within 150 miles of the Dallas, TX metro area, ground transportation may be provided in lieu of air transportation and no compensation or substitution will be provided for difference in prize value; (b) one room, double occupancy, standard hotel accommodations (at a hotel determined by Sponsors) for Northwestern Mutual Field Prize Winner and one guest for four nights; (c) two tickets to the National Semifinal games; (d) two tickets to Championship Final game; and (e) round-trip ground transportation for Northwestern Mutual Field Prize Winner and one guest between the airport and hotel, and between the hotel and Final Four® venue.
Northwestern Mutual Team Captain Prize. The Northwestern Mutual Team Captain Prize Winner, if any, will receive one five-day/four-night trip for Northwestern Mutual Team Captain Prize Winner and one guest to the 2014 NCAA® Men’s Final Four® in Dallas, TX (currently anticipated to take place April 5-7, 2014), at an approximate retail value of Six Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars ($6,500). The trip will include the following: (a) round-trip coach-class airline tickets from the major U.S. airport nearest to the Northwestern Mutual Team Captain Prize Winner’s primary residence to a Dallas, TX area airport for Northwestern Mutual Team Captain Prize Winner and one guest. If the Northwestern Mutual Team Captain Prize Winner’s primary residence is within 150 miles of the Dallas, TX metro area, ground transportation may be provided in lieu of air transportation and no compensation or substitution will be provided for difference in prize value; (b) one room, double occupancy, standard hotel accommodations (at a hotel determined by Sponsors) for Northwestern Mutual Team Captain Prize Winner and one guest for four nights; (c) two tickets to the National Semifinal games; (d) two tickets to Championship Final game; and (e) round-trip ground transportation for Northwestern Mutual Team Captain Prize Winner and one guest between the airport and hotel, and between the hotel and Final Four® venue.
TOTAL APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE OF ALL PRIZES. The total approximate retail value of all prizes is Nineteen Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars ($19,500). The Sponsor will comply with applicable tax reporting obligations with respect to all Winners. Winners are responsible for payment of any and all income or other associated taxes. Odds of winning a prize depend on the outcome of the Tournaments
ADDITIONAL RULES.
Prior to prize delivery, each Winner and their guest will be asked to provide affidavits relating to their eligibility to win prizes under the Official Rules; releases; and, except where prohibited by law, documents granting Northwestern Mutual and its designees the right to use their names, photographs, voices and likenesses in video, city and state of residence and score for the purpose of promoting the Challenge and advertising the goods and services of Northwestern Mutual and its designees, in any way, shape or form, forever and ever, anywhere in the world. Failure to do so may result in disqualification, in the Sponsor’ sole discretion. Return of any prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification. In cases of disqualification, an alternate Winner may be selected, in the Sponsors’ sole discretion. In the event any Winner fails to claim or declines a prize, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, select an alternate Winner.
Challenge Entities expressly disclaim any liability for, and Participants, by participating in the Challenge, release and forever discharge Challenge Entities, and agree to defend, indemnify and hold Challenge Entities harmless, from and against any and all liability or actions of any kind for injuries, damages or losses to person or property that may be sustained in connection with participating in the Challenge.
Challenge Entities expressly disclaim any liability for, and Winners and guests, by acceptance of any portion of any prize, release and forever discharge Challenge Entities, and agree to defend, indemnify and hold Challenge Entities harmless, from and against any and all liability or actions of any kind for injuries, damages or losses to person or property that may be sustained in connection with the delivery, receipt, ownership, use or misuse of a prize or any portion thereof, or while preparing for, participating in, and/or traveling to or from any prize-related activity.
Neither the Challenge Entities nor their employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, or their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries or legal advisors are responsible for, and shall not be liable for: (i) Entries that are not received, or that are lost, delayed, misdirected, late, modified, garbled, corrupted, illegible, inaccurate or incomplete; (ii) telephone, electronic, technical, mechanical, hardware, or software failures of any kind; (iii) network, Internet, or computer malfunctions or failures of any kind; (iv) any condition caused by events beyond the control of Sponsor or the Administrators that may corrupt or interfere with the administration of the Challenge, the submission or receipt of entries, or the ability of any person to participate.
In addition, the Challenge Entities and their employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, or their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries and legal advisors shall not be liable for any error or malfunction with respect to the Challenge, whether human, technical, mechanical, typographical, electronic, computer network, or hardware- or software-related, including, without limitation, errors that may occur in connection with the administration of the Challenge, the receipt, processing or scoring of Entries, the announcement of the prize or Winners or in any Challenge-related materials.
The Challenge Entities may, in their sole discretion and without liability to any person, modify, terminate or suspend the Challenge at any time, for any reason, including, without limitation, in the event of technical difficulties, computer virus or events or causes beyond the control of Sponsor or the Administrators that corrupt the integrity or proper administration of the Challenge.
GOVERNING LAW. All issues, claims and disputes concerning the Official Rules, and the rights and obligations of any person who registered for the Challenge, Participants, or the Challenge Entities in connection with the Challenge shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin, without giving effect to the choice of law or conflict of law rules of that or any other jurisdiction.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE. All persons who register or attempt to register for the Challenge and all Participants agree that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action in connection with or arising out of the Challenge or any prize awarded or not awarded shall be resolved by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin or the Circuit Court of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. As a condition of being permitted to register for the Challenge, all such persons waive any right to commence or proceed in the form of a class action.
DAMAGES. As a condition of being permitted to register for and/or participate in the Challenge, ALL PERSONS WHO REGISTER OR ATTEMPT TO REGISTER FOR THE CHALLENGE AND ALL PARTICIPANTS HEREBY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS (1) TO CLAIM PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES; (2) TO CLAIM ANY DAMAGES OTHER THAN FOR ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS; (3) TO HAVE DAMAGES INCREASED IN ANY MANNER; AND (4) TO CLAIM ATTORNEYS FEES. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
OFFICIAL RULES OR WINNER LIST. To receive a copy of the Official Rules or a list of winners (available starting April 15, 2013), send a self-addressed, stamped envelope (Vermont residents need not include return postage on rules requests) to the following address by no later than June 17, 2013: (Specify “Official Rules” or “Winner”) – Northwestern Mutual’s NCAA® March Madness® Bracket Challenge, 600 W. Chicago Avenue, Suite 220, Chicago, IL 60654.
NCAA®, March Madness®, Elite Eight®, Sweet Sixteen®, Final Four®, Road to the Final Four®, The Big Dance®, and Selection Sunday™ are trademarks of or licensed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. This is not intended to be used as a gambling device, but strictly for entertainment purposes only. The NCAA and Northwestern Mutual do not promote, endorse or condone gambling or sports wagering of any kind.
© 2013 The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. All Rights Reserved.
Short Rules for “The Northwestern Mutual NCAA® March Madness® Bracket Challenge:”
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter the “The Northwestern Mutual NCAA® March Madness® Bracket Challenge.” Challenge open to legal residents of the United States (other than Maine) and the District of Columbia age 18 or older. Void where prohibited. Subject to Official Rules and Regulations. Challenge starts at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March17, 2013 and ends at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on March 21, 2013. For Official Rules and entry information, visit brackets.nm.com or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: “Northwestern Mutual NCAA® March Madness® Bracket Challenge,”600 W. Chicago Avenue, Suite 220, Chicago, IL 60654. Sponsor: The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.