New York, NY – March 30, 2012 – The National Advertising Division  has determined that Nilfisk-Advance, Inc., a maker of commercial floor-cleaning equipment, violated the procedures that govern the advertising industry’s system of self-regulation by issuing a press release that uses the NAD process or its findings for promotional purposes.

NAD procedures provide that parties agree “not to issue a press release

regarding any decisions issued, and … or use and/or disseminate such decision for advertising and/or promotional purposes.”

That prohibition is broadly interpreted:  It is not necessary for a company to specifically reference NAD or specific NAD findings to be found in violation.

Voluntary self-regulation of the advertising industry is a process that requires fair dealing on the part of both parties and an adherence to both the letter and the spirit of the process.