The Joint Policy Committee, LLC (“JPC”) reached an agreement with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (“SAG-AFTRA”) on the 2019 Commercials Contract and Audio Commercials Contract on April 2, 2019. The deal, led by Reed Smith partner and Chief Negotiator, Stacy Marcus, now moves into its next stages and will be
Michael Isselin
“As Seen on TV” Means Exactly That, Court Finds
In a recent false advertising case, the court reminded everyone again that if you say something about your product, you had better mean it.
Emson, which sells cookware products largely through direct response television spots, brought a false advertising claim against Masterpan and Smart & Eazy Corp. (“S&E”). According to Emson, both defendants made false…
Today’s Hot Topic: Public Service Announcements
From time to time it’s good to keep in mind specific network guidelines when producing public service announcements.
According to network standards, public service announcements (PSAs) are meant to inform the public of the work of charitable, governmental, and non-profit organizations and other services available to the public. Such announcements must reflect the true nature…
Zika Repellent Could Not Keep Away FTC
PR firm Creaxion Corporation and Inside Publications, LLC settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) this week regarding promotional practices for Creaxion’s mosquito repellent. In its complaint, the FTC alleged that Creaxion planned a media campaign around its launch of the mosquito repellent during the Zika virus outbreak tied to the 2016 Summer Olympics. They…
Have Something to Add? The NAD Updates Evidentiary Procedures
The National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau (“NAD”) recently announced updates to its procedures. The change was announced by the Director of the NAD, Laura Brett, at the NAD’s Annual Conference and is the self-regulatory body’s response to a recommendation from the ABA Antitrust Section’s Working Group.
The new procedural process is codified…
FTC Takes Action against “iV Cocktails”
Last week, the FTC brought its first action against a company marketing and selling intravenously injected therapy products, or “iV Cocktails” as they are often called. In its Press Release, the FTC announced that it reached a settlement with A&O Enterprises Inc., d/b/a iV Bars, and its individual owner/operator, that prohibits iV Bars from…
Potential(ly) Reach(ing): Facebook Sued Over Inflated Audience Numbers
On August 15, Danielle A. Singer and her company Project Therapy, LLC (dba Therapy Threads) filed a class-action complaint against Facebook, Inc. over its claims concerning ad audiences. According to the Complaint, Facebook overstates its audience metrics in order to induce advertisers to spend money on ads on the platform.
The plaintiffs allege, in part,…
FDA: “Milk” Probably Was a Bad Choice
Apparently even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is on board with ‘90s nostalgia. This week, the agency effectively rebooted the nearly 20-year-old debate on whether alternative milk and plant-based drink products should fall within the definition of “milk”.
The FDA governs the proper labeling of foods, including ensuring that foods conform to a certain…
ANA Releases Version 2.0 of Media Agency Template
The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) released version 2.0 of the ANA Master Media Buying Services Agreement. The original template was issued in July 2016 as a supplement to the ANA’s landmark report on media transparency, conducted with K2 Intelligence. Among other aspects, the new template includes language designed to reflect best practices on a…
Preparing for the Next Phase of Influencer Marketing – The CGI Influencer
Social media influencers are constantly competing for likes, partnerships, and ways to differentiate themselves from others. A surefire way to distinguish oneself in the ever-growing sea of social influencers? Being a robot.
Computer generated social media influencers like Lil’ Miquela and Shudu have racked up millions of Instagram followers and likes and have secured several…