CARU Recommends Allstar Marketing Modify ‘Party in the Tub’ Commercial

New York, NY – Aug. 7 , 2014 – The Children’s Advertising Review Unit has recommended that Allstar Marketing Group modify broadcast advertising to clearly disclose that batteries are not included with purchase of the company’s “Party in the Tub.” The company has agreed to do so.

CARU is an investigative unit of the advertising industry’s system of self-regulation. It is administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

“Party in the Tub” features an LED lightshow that cannot operate without batteries. CARU, upon its initial review of 30-second commercial for the product, noted that while the spot featured the lightshow in action, it omitted mention that batteries must be purchased separately.

CARU’s guidelines note that material disclosures are necessary where an item essential to the use of the product is not included. The guidelines specifically state that when batteries are not included, this fact should be disclosed clearly and further prescribe that such disclosures should be conspicuous in the advertising format and media used. In television, audio disclosures should be used, unless disclosures in other formats are likely to be seen and understood by the intended audience.

In addition, CARU determined that the video super did not adequately disclose the cost of processing and handling and recommended that the advertiser add an audio disclosure stating the processing and handling clearly.

Upon receipt of CARU’s inquiry, the advertiser stated that any future airings of the Party in the Tub commercial referenced above would include the appropriate disclosures in both audio and video format .

“Allstar appreciates the ongoing efforts of CARU to ensure appropriate advertising to children and we fully support these endeavors and make every effort to ensure our advertising conforms to the CARU Guidelines,” the company said.