DSSRC Administrative Closure #68
DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about two social media posts disseminated by the company’s salesforce members that conveyed product performance claims. Both social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace.
With respect to the first post, DSSRC was concerned that such post conveyed unsubstantiated product, health and wellness benefits including claims that the company’s products can protect against disease and COVID-19. In response to DSSRC’s inquiry, the company promptly engaged in discussions with the subject distributor who stated her willingness to remove the post. When the social media post in question was not promptly removed, the company informed DSSRC that it again contacted the distributor, and that the company’s sales team walked the distributor through the step-by-step process of removing a Facebook post which ultimately resulted in the problematic image on the distributor’s Facebook page being removed.
As to the problematic image in the first post, the direct selling company informed DSSRC that it was able to find the source of this image which originated in a foreign country. The company further informed DSSRC that it would continue to search for additional uses of this improper image and any messaging that improperly implies the curative effects of its products.
As to the second social media post DSSRC identified to the company, the company promptly identified and contacted the distributor who posted the improper claim and the distributor quickly responded and deleted the post. The company also indicated that its Compliance Department engaged the distributor in a discussion about its policies and procedures and about allowable claims.
DSSRC expressed its appreciation to the Company for its due diligence in addressing DSSRC’s concerns its good faith efforts to educate its salesforce. As a result of the prompt actions taken by the Company, DSSRC administratively closed the inquiry.
(closed on 8/18/2020)
Subscribe to the Ad Law Insights or Privacy Initiatives newsletters for an exclusive monthly analysis and insider perspectives on the latest trends and case decisions in advertising law and data privacy.
Latest Decisions
National Advertising Division Recommends Blueprint Test Preparation Discontinue Certain MCAT Score Improvement Claims
New York, NY – April 22, 2024 – The National Advertising Division recommended Blueprint Test Preparation discontinue certain express and implied claims made in connection with its four MCAT preparation courses, including claims that Blueprint students raise their MCAT scores by 15 or 13 points on average.
National Advertising Division Recommends The Princeton Review Discontinue Point Increase Claims for MCAT Test Preparation Services
New York, NY – April 18, 2024 – In a Fast-Track SWIFT challenge, the National Advertising Division recommended that The Princeton Review (TPR) discontinue claims that its students “Score a 515+ on the MCAT or add 15 points depending on your starting score. Guaranteed or your money back.”
Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Recommends Trades of Hope Discontinue Salesforce Member Earnings Claims
McLean, VA – April 17, 2024 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) recommended that Trades of Hope discontinue certain earnings claims made by salesforce members on Facebook and YouTube.
National Advertising Division Recommends Lily of the Desert Nutraceuticals Discontinue “100% Pure Avocado Oil” Claim for Tropical Plantation Avocado Oil
New York, NY – April 15, 2024 – The National Advertising Division recommended that Lily of the Desert Nutraceuticals discontinue the claim “100% Pure Avocado Oil” for its Tropical Plantation Avocado Oil and avoid conveying the unsupported message that the product is 100% pure avocado...