BBB National Programs Decision Summaries

The Online Interest-Based Advertising Accountability Program released the first decision under its newest enforcement initiative, bringing a video ad technology company into compliance with online privacy best practices.

The Children’s Advertising Review Unit has determined that advertising for Telebrands’ Phantom Saucer accurately depicts the toy’s capabilities. CARU has also recommended that the advertiser add an audio disclosure to broadcast advertising for the toy, to better assure that children understand there’s an additional fee for shipping and handling.

The National Advertising Review Board (NARB) has referred advertising claims made by Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc., doing business as Petmate, to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for review after the company failed to take good faith steps to comply with NARB’s recommendations regarding discontinuation of challenged antimicrobial protection claims.

A panel of the National Advertising Review Board has recommended that Charter Communications discontinue use of the word “again” in a commercial in which the Grim Reaper states that his family’s satellite dish “went out in the rain, again.” The panel also recommended that Charter discontinue claims that contrast satellite TV as unreliable and its Spectrum TV service as reliable.

A panel of the National Advertising Review Board has recommended that AT&T Services, Inc., modify advertising to clarify for consumers the availability of AT&T Fiber, the company’s fiber-to-the-home product, but declined to recommend that AT&T refrain from market-wide advertising in markets where AT&T Fiber is available to less than 20% of the market.

The National Advertising Division has recommended that Telebrands, Corp., discontinue certain advertising claims for the company’s Atomic Beam flashlights, including claims that they are “40 times brighter” and more durable than ordinary flashlights and are equipped with features that ordinary flashlights do not provide.

The National Advertising Division has recommended that Chattem, Inc., discontinue claims that the company’s Xyzal Allergy 24 HR product works “Twice as fast as Claritin” and provides “relief that starts at hour 1 instead of hour 2.”

The National Advertising Division has recommended that Tru Derma, LLC, discontinue advertising claims challenged by the Council for Responsible Nutrition, for the company’s Mangodrin XTREME Formula and Mangodrin Stimulant Free dietary supplements.

The National Advertising Division has recommended that Comcast Cable Communications, LLC, discontinue the advertising claim, express or implied, that AT&T deceives potential customers concerning the speed or reliability of its internet service, as well as the claim that Comcast offers the most reliable network.

The National Advertising Division has determined that Tyson Foods, Inc., “did not materially alter or enhance” the appearance of the company’s Hillshire Farm Ultra Thin Oven Roasted Turkey Breast when it removed the inner plastic package from the product before filming.