NAD Again Finds Nilfisk-Advance Violated NAD Procedures Through Use of a Decision for Promotional Purposes

New York, NY – April 11, 2012 – The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus 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 made a similar determination regarding the conduct of Nilfisk-Advance in March.

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.”

NAD earlier determined that Nilfisk-Advance violated NAD procedures by issuing a press release that sought to use an NAD decision for promotional purposes.

NAD more recently learned that a second press release, which included a link to the first problematic release, was distributed by or on behalf of the company.

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.

NAD is extremely disappointed that it was necessary to issue two corrective press releases for these clear violations of its procedures.