Blog Posts Tagged with Advertising and Marketing Basics

A creature is formed of clay. A puppet becomes a boy. A monster rises in a lab. A computer takes over a spaceship. And all manner of robots serve or control us. For generations we’ve told ourselves...

There are prime numbers, irrational numbers, and Fibonacci’s numbers – but from a consumer protection perspective, no number is quite as sobering as the dollar amount that people reported losing to...

It’s a match that should have been made in Home Improvement Heaven: consumers looking for service providers and service providers looking for new clients. But the FTC alleged in a 2022 complaint that...

“If you’re nearsighted, farsighted, or have an astigmatism, LasikPlus can help fix your vision for only $250.” That’s just one example of how LCA-Vision – consumers may know the company as LasikPlus...

“I’ll show you how you can potentially make $24,840 dollars – or more – every single week. With … quick simple … trades that require zero market knowledge or trading experience.” A peek at a weekly...

The FTC’s $275 million proposed settlement with Epic Games, owner of Fortnite , alleges the company violated the law by collecting personal information from kids under 13 without parental consent and...

Two separate settlements with Epic Games, owner of the massively popular online game Fortnite , send the unmistakable message to business that the FTC means business when it comes to enforcing online...

Looking for advice on substantiating your company’s advertising claims? FTC staff just issued a new Health Products Compliance Guidance publication that merits your careful attention. You may be...

Ask someone to picture the typical person who has experienced a scam and they may think of an older consumer taken in by a fast-talking fraudster . Regardless of the image they create, the results of...

Many people – including older consumers – find themselves tied to pricey timeshares that no longer meet their needs. They were sold on the idea of idyllic getaways, but now need to get away from those...

Who can forget the eerie admonition about Hotel California : “You can check out any time you like. But you can never leave.” It’s a feeling that may have been echoed by people who attempted to cancel...

When it comes to the car buying process, there a world of difference between going for a test drive and getting taken for a ride. An FTC complaint against DC-based Passport Automotive Group alleges...

Today’s the day the FTC will convene Protecting Kids from Stealth Advertising in Digital Media and you can watch the webcast live. Chair Khan will lead off the virtual proceedings at 9:00 AM Eastern...

Companies are increasingly marketing payment plans known as Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL). Although BNPL plans vary in their exact terms, people typically pay for purchases over a period of several weeks...

What marketing techniques do kids, including teens, encounter in the various digital spaces they frequent? And what do we know about their cognitive abilities at different ages and developmental...

Whether you’re a gig worker, work at a business that relies on gig workers, or enjoy the benefits of their labor, the FTC just announced a policy statement about the gig economy that merits your...

It’s ironic that the only thing clear about digital dark patterns is the FTC’s commitment to protect consumers from the injury they inflict. A new FTC Staff Report sheds light on the ways that...

Most people now rely on online reviews of products and services to help decide what to buy or where to buy it, and many companies rely on reviews to attract customers. People should be able to trust...

In the annals of marketing, “pre-approved” ranks right up there with “free” and “low-calorie” as a term guaranteed to attract people’s attention. The FTC just announced a $3 million proposed...

Reviews and endorsements can be highly influential when consumers are shopping for widgets and gadgets. But when they’re looking for the right platform to use in a rental search, the personal...