BBB National Programs Newsroom

Decision

NuWave Voluntarily Modifies Certain OxyPure Air Purifier Claims Following National Advertising Division Inquiry into Implied COVID-19 Messages

New York, NY – April 13, 2021 – Following an inquiry by the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs, NuWave LLC modified claims on its website and in a YouTube video which conveyed implied messages that its OxyPure Air Purifier is effective against COVID-19. The...

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Decision

NAD Recommends J.G. Wentworth Company Modify its “Cash Now” Claims to Clearly and Conspicuously Disclose Material Information about Timing of Payment

New York, NY – April 8, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) recommends that the J.G. Wentworth Company modify its advertising to disclose that its offer of “cash now,” in exchange for purchase of the customer’s structured settlement or annuity payment rights, is not immediate,...

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Decision

First Day Life Permanently Discontinues Certain Advertising Claims for Daily Enrichment Multivitamin Following National Advertising Division Challenge

New York, NY – April 8, 2021 – First Day Life, Inc. informed the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs that it has permanently discontinued all of the advertising claims and testimonials for the company’s Daily Enrichment Multivitamin that were challenged by the Council...

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Decision

National Advertising Division Finds Verizon’s “Fastest 5G in the World” Claim Supported for its 5G Ultra Wideband

New York, NY – April 7, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that Verizon Communications, Inc. provided a reasonable basis for the comparative performance claim that its 5G Ultra Wideband provides the “Fastest 5G in the World.” NAD concluded that Verizon’s evidence was a good fit for the claim, and that the...

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Press Release

BBB National Programs Adds FTC Veteran Mamie Kresses as Vice President, Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU)

McLean, VA – April 12, 2021 – BBB National Programs, the independent non-profit organization that oversees more than a dozen industry self-regulation and dispute resolution programs, today announced the hire of FTC veteran Mamie Kresses as Vice President, Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU). Kresses moves from the...

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Press Release

BBB National Programs Receives APEC Approval as First U.S. Non-Profit Accountability Agent and Launches Global Privacy Division

McLean, VA – January 26, 2021 – Building upon its longstanding privacy protection work in Europe, BBB National Programs today announced its approval by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) as the first U.S.-based non-profit Accountability Agent in the APEC Cross Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) and Privacy...

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Press Release

BBB National Programs Announces 85 Distinguished Members of 2021 National Advertising Review Board Panel

McLean, VA – January 5, 2021 – BBB National Programs today announced the 2021 Panel Pool Members for its National Advertising Review Board, the appellate body for the U.S. advertising industry’s system of self-regulation. The National Advertising Review Board panel pool members, selected for their stature and experience in their fields,...
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Press Release

BBB National Programs Board of Directors Elects Three New Members

McLean, VA – December 14, 2020 – The Board of Directors of BBB National Programs, an independent non-profit organization that operates more than a dozen self-regulation programs, today announced that it has elected three new members for the 2020-2023 term and re-elected the Board Chair and Board Vice Chair.
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Blog

The Critical Components for Self-Regulation in Direct Selling

Direct selling – when done correctly – can benefit distributors and consumers. Unfortunately, it only takes a few bad actors to compromise the integrity of an entire industry. The direct selling industry faces difficult and important challenges in enhancing consumer and regulatory confidence in the marketing of its products and services. Successful and effective self-regulation has often been described as a marathon and not a sprint and, as such, requires ongoing commitment and participation from the industry. DSSRC has been encouraged by the engagement and receptivity of the industry to our self-regulatory efforts, as well as the public support expressed by government agencies like the FTC and leaders such as the DSA to make the space a better one for salesforce members and the consumers they reach.
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Blog

Truth-in-Advertising: Who Makes the Rules?

It is a common misunderstanding that the National Advertising Division (NAD) creates or establishes standards for the U.S. advertising industry. NAD does not make the rules, but instead serves as one arm of the U.S. system of independent advertising self-regulation to hold companies to established standards for claim substantiation. Substantiation standards may be set by laws, guidance documents, or industry organizations. This post outlines how NAD looks to those different sources for guidance when reviewing advertising claims.
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Blog

Turning Lemons into Lemon-Aid – How to Navigate a Vehicle Warranty Claim During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of our lives, from the ability to socialize to the ability to work. Keeping up with routine vehicle maintenance, for many who have been moving around less since the pandemic began, has become less routine. So, what happens when you discover an issue with your vehicle? To make sure your vehicle gets fixed, follow these guidelines and, if your vehicle cannot be fixed, we at BBB AUTO LINE have some guidelines for that, too.
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Blog

Call to Action: Improve Green Marketing and Avoid Greenwashing

Green marketing can be a strong marketing tool for companies to differentiate their sustainable approach to business and help consumers choose more sustainable products. But with the variety and volume of green marketing today, does it? Are environmental claims supported so that consumers can make choices that help the planet? While some observers call for more rigorous standards, governmental guidelines regulating environmental marketing already exist. Industry self-regulation also plays an important role in leveling the playing field on green marketing so that consumer purchases align with their environmental goals.
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Podcast

Ad Watchers: What Does it Mean to Have a “Reasonable Basis” Standard?

Advertisers are required to have a “reasonable basis” for their advertising claims, but what is “reasonable” in terms of support and the level and type of evidence needed? In this episode of the Ad Watchers, hosts Hal Hodes and La Toya Sutton break down the standard that helps us determine what is reasonable: the Pfizer Factors. Tune in to learn more about each of...
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Podcast

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

In the inaugural episode of The Accountability Studio, moderator Mary Engle, Executive Vice President, Policy poses a fundamental question to the leadership of BBB National Programs: Does independent, industry self-regulation really work? Program leaders responded with an empathic ‘yes,’ but also laid out the numerous factors that can contribute to the success or failure of a self-regulatory...

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Podcast

Ad Watchers: So, Who’s Making These Advertising Rules?

National Advertising Division (NAD) attorneys Hal Hodes and La Toya Sutton break down the guiding principle behind all NAD decisions: consumer understanding. Hal and La Toya discuss what it means to step into the shoes of the consumer and break down all the factors that NAD takes into consideration during an advertising review that regulators (e.g., the FTC or FDA) may not.  
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Podcast

The Perfect Storm for Privacy and Adtech: How the End of the Cookie Era Will Reshape the Digital Marketplace

Many privacy professionals see the depletion of third-party cookies, paired with several technological, political, and cultural factors, as the perfect storm for privacy and adtech – one that will bring about fundamental changes to the advertising industry and the broader digital marketplace. In this episode,...

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