The Bottom Line With a longstanding difference of opinion on the use of stock footage in commercials, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Joint Policy Committee on Broadcast Talent Union Relations (JPC) have recently reached a Continue Reading
Bands and Brands Come Together for Livestream Shows during COVID-19
The Bottom Line With much of the United States and the rest of the world staying at home as a result of COVID-10, the live music industry has come to a standstill. Already a number of entertainers — from A-list acts to independent local bands — have begun to provide content via Continue Reading
FDA Provides Temporary Flexibility on Nutrition Labeling in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Bottom Line To facilitate the distribution of food and mitigate the losses accruing in the restaurant and food manufacturing industries resulting from the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidance to provide restaurants and food manufacturers with Continue Reading
COVID-19: A Guide to Analyzing Risks for Marketers and Agencies
The Bottom Line The global effects of COVID-19 are being felt by businesses in every sector, and the worlds of marketing, communications, public relations and advertising are no different. In vast swaths of the United States, including critical markets such as New York, Los Angeles and Continue Reading
Is the Influencer Landscape Going to Change? FTC Seeks Public Comments on Its Endorsement Guides
Update The Bottom Line The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced a review of its “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” (Endorsement Guides) and that it is seeking public comments on whether changes need to be made to them. While the FTC has been Continue Reading
SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract’s Low-Budget Digital Waiver Updated for 2020
The Bottom Line SAG-AFTRA and the Joint Policy Committee on Broadcast Talent Union Relations (JPC) made a splash two years ago when they modified the 2016 SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract (Commercials Contract) by introducing the “Low Budget Digital Waiver” (2017 LBD Waiver). The 2017 LBD Continue Reading
FTC Offers YouTube Channel Owners Guidance on COPPA Compliance
The Bottom Line As a result of the FTC’s action against Google and YouTube, YouTube channel owners will be required to designate whether their channels and content are “directed to children” under COPPA. The FTC’s recent guidance will help channel owners make this determination. This guidance is Continue Reading
The FTC is Drilling Down on Negative Option Marketing Practices
The Bottom Line While the FTC’s action against Match plays out in court, it is worth noting that the FTC last initiated a regulatory review of the Negative Option Rule over a decade ago in 2009. When the FTC completed that review in 2014, it concluded that amendments were not warranted because the Continue Reading
FTC Brings Actions Against the Sale of ‘Fake Indicators of Social Media Influence’ and ‘Fake Reviews’
The Bottom Line The FTC’s actions challenging the sale of fake social media indicators and online reviews are intended to deter others from polluting the online marketplace with deceptive and inaccurate information. It is important to reiterate that the FTC brought its actions against two chief Continue Reading
FTC Releases New Resources for Influencers
The Bottom Line The FTC’s brochure and microsite are new resources that will be helpful for both marketers training their influencers as well as to influencers themselves in making disclosures. This clear and practical guidance from the FTC should put all involved parties — including influencers Continue Reading