Did you know that endorsements and testimonials in advertisement are regulated under the Federal Trade Commission Act by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)?  The "Act" states that "unfair methods of competition in or affecting commerce, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce, are declared unlawful."  This includes client testimonials in advertising materials, blogs and other social media.

• What disclosures are necessary in lieu of traditional safe harbors such as "Results Not Typical"?
• When do payments and free products constitute "material connections" between advertisers and endorsers that need to be disclosed, and what needs to be said about them?
• How do the rules apply to bloggers and "word-of-mouth" marketers?
• What kind of relationships between advisers and research organizations need to be disclosed, and what needs to be said about them?
• When are celebrities liable for false or unsubstantiated claims in an endorsement?

To assist advertisers in complying with the "Act," the FTC provides "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (Guides)." The Guides were recently updated and "address endorsements by consumers, experts, organizations, and celebrities, as well as the disclosure of important connections between advertisers and endorsers." If you use client testimonials in your advertising materials, blog and other social media, you'll need to be up to speed on the recent revisions to the Guides. AIGAC's Webinar will address the issues and updates that most impact the graduate admissions consulting industry and how you and your organization can comply.

WHEN
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST

PRESENTER
Bruce A. McDonald, Esq., Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney P.C., Alexandria, VA. Mr. McDonald advises clients and serves as trial and appellate litigation counsel in federal court and regulatory actions primarily involving claims of trademark and copyright infringement, unfair competition and interpretation of international intellectual rights.

WHAT
Webinar via computer with live PowerPoint and email Q&A.

COST
$100 for AIGAC Members and $150 for Non-Members for paid registrations received by February 17, 2010
$115 for AIGAC Members and $175 for Non-Members for paid registrations postmarked/received after February 17, 2010

REGISTRATION
Please see the Register Now section below to register using PayPal, or use this link  to print a registration form and return completed form by mail with a check.  You will receive a registration confirmation email.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Mary Megarry, AIGAC, mmegarry@aigac.org or 916-446-3670

Register Now (Early Bird rates good through February 17, 2010)

Early Bird AIGAC Members: $100

Early Bird Non-Members: $150

        

AIGAC Member: $115

Non-Member: $175