FTC Cracks Down on Blogger Payola, Celebrity Tweets†

Rules on Endorsements and Testimonials Extended to Social Media

Advertising Age, October 5, 2009 — The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on blogger payola.

The agency, which protects consumers from fraud or deceptive business practices, voted 4 to 0 to update its rules governing endorsements, and the new guidelines require bloggers to clearly disclose any "material connection" to an advertiser, including payments for an endorsement or free product.

Marketing Takes a Beating in Beltway†

With New Congress, Industry Fights Off Attacks From All Corners of D.C.

Advertising Age, July 27, 2009 — As if the recession pummeling the industry wasn't enough, the business is starting to feel besieged by the Beltway.