What is the line that needs to be crossed?

Uh, well, in the liquor world, this is a good example. "I love your spirit portfolio, but nothing you sell us will ever be in the well or named on a cocktail menu. If it wasn't for Campari paying us lots of money, this place would not exist." BTW, guess who ultimately pays for that? You do when you buy Campari.

Like for government contracts?
Or for radio/Spotify?

I assume the question is asking when it is legal/illegal?

I’ve had the same question before, because I’ve heard “pay to play” referred to many things that I assumed were legal.

Maybe it’s only illegal specifically in terms of politics? E.g. what Blago did in Illinois?

I assumed this was about music venues/promoters. Around here the pay-to-play spot has been known for expecting local bands to take $200 in physical tickets, and if you don't bring back any unsold tickets they charge you for them, and it's implied that the more you sell the more preference you get in future booking. I have heard of some bands being kicked off of overbooked bills for not selling tickets, but it seems to be an inconsistently-applied rule. It's an old-school multi-stage venue and though it's changed hands a few times they still seem to do things in very ass-backwards ways, but honestly if a band I really wanted to connect with was coming through, I'd consider putting up $200 to be a part of the gig and just try to recoup as many ticket sales as possible.

ChudFusk wrote: Sat Apr 22, 2023 7:09 pm I assumed this was about music venues/promoters.

In many major cities music venues cannot and would not exist without payments from major liquor companies. It's why they all have the same big brands and hardly any have more niche products made by smaller producers. I have been trying for years to get into some smaller music venues and get the same thing every time. They call them "activations." As a result, I've only been moderately successful in one music venue in Los Angeles. Our other sales rep, who has more bar accounts than I do, hasn't been able to get into any music venues.

They usually say:

"We like to partner with companies and have activations."

Which translates to "We like it when you pay us to carry your product and give us product off invoice." The latter of which is illegal. These major companies also send their ambassadors into the venue to "swipe" their cards. This means dude walks in, lets the venue swipe his card for $500, and he expenses the charge.