Month: October 2022

McGovern Auto Group Opens New Luxury Dealerships in Albany, NY

New Jaguar Land Rover and Volvo locations expand auto powerhouse’s reach in New York

Albany, NY // Oct. 27, 2022 // The McGovern Auto Group, a regional auto powerhouse that operates almost two dozen dealerships across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York, today announced the opening of Jaguar Land Rover Albany and McGovern Volvo Cars Albany. The opening of the two new dealerships deepens McGovern’s presence in New York state, joining the company’s existing Ferrari Maserati Long Island and Porsche South Shore locations on Long Island. With these Acquisitions, this brings McGovern’s dealership count to 22 dealerships in the Northeast.

The opening of the new dealerships follows McGovern’s acquisition of Capital Luxury Cars. Under the McGovern brand, the locations will feature a wide selection of new and used premium automobiles, including the all New Land Rover Range Rover, Jaguar E-PACE SUV, the Land Rover Defender, and the fully electric Volvo C40 Recharge. 

Customers at Jaguar Land Rover Albany (located at 347 New Karner Road) and McGovern Volvo Cars Albany (located at 350 New Karner Road) will experience McGovern’s technology-enhanced sales platform, which uses cutting-edge software to intelligently price vehicles according to their true market value. The streamlined and efficient system gives customers a no-hassle sales process with transparent pricing and unbeatable deals. 

McGovern’s unique customer experience and commitment to its employees has helped the company grow rapidly to become the region’s leading provider of both family-value vehicles and luxury car brands. Founded in 2016, McGovern Auto Group now has revenues of almost $2 billion, employing over 1,100 people and selling more than 27,000 vehicles a year across the United States. 

“Albany residents already know these dealerships as the go-to destination for European luxury vehicles, and we’re looking forward to elevating the buyer experience with McGovern’s cutting-edge technologies and business ethos,” said Ben Muenzberg, General Manager. “With McGovern’s sophisticated sales tech, we can ensure that shoppers receive the very best deal possible from the moment they step inside one of our showrooms.”

“Albany’s Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo owners are among the most discerning and demanding motorists around, and our dealerships offer the full range of sales, maintenance, and support they need,” said Matt McGovern, McGovern Auto Group’s President. “These are prime dealership locations in an exciting market, and we’re thrilled to be bringing them into the McGovern family.” 

Visit Jaguar Land Rover Albany at 347 New Karner Road and McGovern Volvo Cars Albany at 350 New Karner Road or online at McGovernAuto.com. 

North Carolina, October 26, 2022 – North Carolina’s six Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCOs) launched the NC Child and Family Improvement Initiative on May 1, 2022, to improve care for children, youth, and families served by the child welfare system. The LME/MCOs are working together to create a statewide system that ensures seamless access to quality care for youth in foster care, regardless of where they live in North Carolina. Nine key objectives were initially identified to support this statewide model.

One of the NC Child and Family Improvement Initiative’s primary goals is to enhance statewide capacity for child behavioral health services. To support that goal, the LME/MCOs have identified a tenth objective, which is to increase provider reimbursement rates within this critical service continuum. Ultimately, this tenth objective supports all the objectives of the NC Child and Family Improvement Initiative and improves the ability of providers to deliver the necessary treatment and supports to serve youth with very complex needs. All the LME/MCOs are making a significant investment to pay above the current minimum rate established by NCDHHS for several types of child residential services (including Levels I-IV group or family settings) by November 1, 2022.

In addition, the LME/MCOs have already completed several other goals of their NC Child and Family Improvement Initiative. One of the most important is formalizing a statewide network of child treatment providers to ensure youth in the foster care system have continuity of care when moving from one area of North Carolina to another. Through December 31, 2022, all LME/MCOs are offering an open enrollment period for several types of child behavioral health service providers (including Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF), Level IV, Level III, and Level II group and family) to ensure that children and adolescents can access the services they need. Click here for more details on this development and click here for a listing of the objectives of the NC Child and Family Improvement Initiative.

For More Information:

Rachel Porter, Chief Administrative Officer
Partners Health Management
Mobile: 980-293-3978
Email: rporter@partnersbhm.org

New York, NY – October 26, 2022 – Acting on a challenge by AT&T Services, the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that Cox Communications, Inc. provided a reasonable basis for the express claim that Cox can deliver “gig speeds everywhere” and the implied claim that Cox can provide gig speeds to all of its customers and AT&T cannot provide gig speeds (or faster) to all of its customers.

However, NAD recommended that Cox modify:

• The claim that “Cox delivers gig-speeds everywhere” to disclose that gig speeds are only available for download speeds.
• Its advertising to avoid conveying the unsupported implied message that AT&T does not offer similar or faster speeds than 5G providers in markets where Cox and AT&T compete.

AT&T Services challenged comparative claims made by Cox in a television and radio commercial for its “Gigablast” internet service that provides download speeds of 1 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 35 Mbps.Gigablast is available to all of Cox’s residential customers over a hybrid coaxial cable-fiberoptic network.

“Gig-Speeds Everywhere” Claim

The 30-second television commercial appears as an animated text message conversation between Cox and AT&T with words and emojis accompanied by an upbeat, jazz-like musical score. NAD determined that, in the context of the challenged television commercial, the claim that Cox provides “gig-speeds everywhere” conveys the message that Cox can provide gig speeds to all customers and AT&T cannot provide gig speeds to all its customers.

NAD concluded that this message was supported based on evidence that the Cox network provides almost any consumer within Cox’s footprint, and every customer in the areas where the challenged advertising appears, with Gigablast, Cox’s 1 Gig tier of service. NAD accepted Cox’s assertion that less than half of AT&T Fiber customers have access to gig-speed or faster internet service because of the limited availability of fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) services across the AT&T network.

Prior decisions by NAD and BBB National Programs’ appellate body, the National Advertising Review Board (NARB) have concluded that general comparative internet speed claims, unless qualified, convey a message about download and upload speeds. Here, NAD found that Cox’s unqualified “gig-speeds everywhere” claim was not supported by the record because Cox limits upload speeds for all Gigablast users to 35 Mbps, a far slower speed than the 1 Gbps download speed highlighted in the challenged advertising.

Further, NAD concluded that the disclosure in the challenged television commercial is confusing, does not adequately qualify the “gig-speeds everywhere” claim, and is not clear and conspicuous. NAD noted consumers seeking gig-speed (or faster) internet services should understand both the upload and download speeds, particularly because the upload and download speeds are so different. Both upload and download speeds may be relevant to a consumer’s interest in gig-speed internet.

For these reasons, NAD recommended that the claim “Cox delivers gig-speeds everywhere” be modified to clearly and conspicuously disclose within close proximity to the claim that gig speeds are only available for download speeds.

Cox Customers “Can Always Choose Internet that Can Deliver Speeds Faster than 5G Providers”

NAD found that one reasonable message conveyed by the challenged television commercial was that Cox can provide internet speeds faster than 5G providers and AT&T cannot.

NAD also determined that the challenged radio commercial presented the claim in a slightly different context and that one reasonable message consumers will understand from the radio commercial is the choice between Cox, who delivers internet speeds faster than 5G providers, or AT&T, who cannot provide speeds faster than 5G providers in markets where Cox and AT&T compete.

NAD concluded that the message that AT&T cannot provide speeds faster than 5G providers is not supported by the record because in some markets AT&T provides its Fiber service where customers can get 1-Gig speeds. Therefore, NAD recommended that Cox modify its advertising to avoid conveying the unsupported implied message that AT&T does not offer similar or faster speeds than 5G providers in markets where Cox and AT&T compete.

During the proceeding, Cox permanently discontinued the claim “the latest Smart Wi-Fi everywhere.” Therefore, NAD did not review this claim on the merits.

In its advertiser statement, Cox stated that it “will comply with NAD’s recommendations.” Further, the advertiser stated that it “values the self-regulatory process and will keep NAD’s recommendations in mind as it develops future advertising.”

All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.

About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.

About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.

New York, NY – October 20, 2022 – A panel of the National Advertising Review Board (NARB), the appellate advertising decision body of BBB National Programs, has determined that Mazee, LLC has reasonable support for claims that its Glee Gum is “plant-based,” “made with chicle,” and “natural.” However, the NARB Panel recommended that the advertiser discontinue claims that Glee Gum is “plastic-free.”

The advertising at issue had been challenged before BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division (NAD) by Perfetti Van Melle USA, Inc., a competing manufacturer of chewing gum products. Following NAD’s decision (Case No. 7077), the NARB Chair granted Perfetti’s request to appeal the NAD decision that the advertiser had provided a reasonable basis for its express “plastic-free” claims and that the claims did not reasonably communicate any implied falsely denigrating messages. Mazee then cross-appealed NAD’s recommendation to discontinue its “plant-based,” “made with chicle”, and “natural” claims.

The NARB Panel reviewed the evidence provided by the advertiser and concluded that Mazee has a reasonable basis for the express “plant-based,” “made with chicle,” and “natural” claims made on its product labels and website.

Regarding the evidence offered by the advertiser in support of these claims, the NARB Panel found that it was reasonable for the advertiser to rely on:

• Representations by its ISO-certified and GMP-accredited gum base supplier that it provides Mazee with a gum base that is 94% chicle tree sap (the other 6% consists of candelilla wax and natural citrus acid);
• Carbon-14 testing conducted by an ISO-certified company that the Glee Gum base is bio-based as opposed to synthetic or petroleum-based;
• Various certifications of the ingredients used in its gum products (e.g., Foodchain ID Non-GMO, Vegan, and Kosher);
• Ingredient lists for each line of Glee Gum products that contain no artificial or synthetic ingredients; and
• Representations from its co-packer that the production process does not alter the nature of the ingredients contained in Glee Gum products.

While the NARB Panel did not question the expertise and testing conducted by the challenger’s experts, it did not find that the testing’s results squarely refuted the reasonable support for the claims presented by the advertiser.

However, the NARB Panel recommended that the advertiser discontinue its “plastic-free” claims based on the conclusion that such claims create unsupported implied messages that its product lacks plastic while other gums contain plastic, or that its product is more environmentally friendly than its competitors.

Mazee stated that it “is a supporter of the self-regulatory process and will comply with the NARB’s recommendation. The Advertiser would like to thank the NARB for their time in reviewing this matter.”

All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.

About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.

About the National Advertising Review Board (NARB): The National Advertising Review Board (NARB) is the appellate body for BBB National Programs’ advertising self-regulatory programs. NARB’s panel members include 85 distinguished volunteer professionals from the national advertising industry, agencies, and public members, such as academics and former members of the public sector. NARB serves as a layer of independent industry peer review that helps engender trust and compliance in NAD, CARU, and DSSRC matters.

Contact:

Abby Hills

Director of Communications, BBB National Programs

703-247-9330 / press@bbbnp.org

McLean, VA – October 18, 2022 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) of BBB National Programs has referred direct selling company Root Wellness LLC to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for possible enforcement action. The referral comes after a lack of compliance by Root Wellness with DSSRC recommendations as well as the company’s inability to substantiate a growing list of health-related product performance claims.

At issue are product performance claims disseminated by Root Wellness and its salesforce members on social media communicating the message that Root Wellness products can treat serious health-related conditions including, but not limited to, psoriasis, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, chronic fatigue, fatty liver disease (Hepatic Steatosis), fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, COVID-19, and more.

These claims were originally addressed in February 2021 by DSSRC as part of its ongoing independent monitoring of the direct selling marketplace. In March 2022, as part of its compliance process, DSSRC identified additional social media posts communicating product performance claims of concern and reevaluated whether Root Wellness had complied fully with DSSRC’s recommendations. DSSRC determined that because social media posts making unsubstantiated health-related product performance claims remained accessible to the public, Root Wellness was not in compliance with DSSRC’s 2021 recommendations.

In addition, the March case brought to light false references to third parties in press releases, such as the BBB and Direct Selling Association, to which Root Wellness is not affiliated.

DSSRC requested the removal of all health-related product performance claims that could not be supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence demonstrating that Root Wellness products can effectively produce the results indicated in the health-related claims. In addition, DSSRC recommended that the misleading press releases also be removed.

After the compliance inquiry was published in July 2022, Root Wellness not only did not remove the problematic claims from the marketplace but allowed the continued proliferation of serious health-related claims on social media.

Root Wellness has provided no competent and reliable evidence in support of the claims being made by its salesforce members, did not demonstrate a good faith effort to have the claims removed, and has not made an effort to curb the dissemination of misleading communications implying endorsements that do not exist for Root Wellness and its products (most recently on October 10, 2022).

As a result of this lack of compliance, DSSRC is referring this matter to the FTC and other appropriate government agencies.

All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of DSSRC decisions, visit the DSSRC Cases and Closures webpage.

About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.

About the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council: The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC), a division of BBB National Programs, provides independent, impartial monitoring, dispute resolution, and enforcement of false product claims and income representations made by direct selling companies and their salesforce members across digital platforms. The DSSRC seeks to establish high standards of integrity and business ethics for all direct selling companies in the marketplace.

• Huw Cahill joins as the organisation’s new COO  
• XpertHR appoints Mark Brandau as its CMO

17^th October 2022, London – XpertHR, provider of HR data analytics and intelligent solutions, part of the LexisNexis^® Risk Solutions portfolio within RELX, has expanded its senior leadership team with the appointment of Huw Cahill, Chief Operations Officer and Mark Brandau as Chief Marketing Officer.

The appointments follow the launch of Cendex and the organisation’s acquisition of Gapsquare, contributing to XpertHR’s continued growth. With the expansion and strengthening of the senior leadership team, the organisation reinforces its commitment to continuing the evolution and success of the business in a fast-growing market.

Huw Cahill joins as Chief Operations Officer and will be responsible for ensuring a world class experience for customers and the further development of the XpertHR Data Platform which has been instrumental in the development of XpertHR’s data analytics offerings such as Aptifore, Cendex and Gapsquare. Huw has worked with leading global B2B software and data businesses over the last 19 years in multiple markets and sectors, delivering revenue growth, new products and services, building contributory data platforms and driving operational excellence. Huw brings years of experience and a unique insight to the XpertHR leadership team as it continues to accelerate growth.

As the organisation’s new Chief Marketing Officer, Mark Brandau will oversee the organisation’s strategic marketing activity, contributing to its accelerating growth. Before joining XpertHR, Mark was Global Vice President of Portfolio Marketing for iCIMS, where he led the go-to-market strategy and execution of iCIMS Talent Cloud. Prior to this he was Head of Forrester Research’s HCM Practice and was Senior Vice President of Product and Solution Marketing for SAP Success Factors. Mark brings years of experience and expertise in the HR Technology market and is ideally suited to lead XpertHR into new markets with its increasingly sophisticated technology solutions for HR professionals.

Scott Walker, CEO at XpertHR, said: “The world of work is changing rapidly and XpertHR is ideally placed to enable the HR function to address these needs. As our business has evolved to deliver sophisticated data and analytics solutions we need experienced and talented executives to lead our business into these new markets.  Huw and Mark’s combined experience, insight, and passion will ignite fires and push the organisation to new speeds and growth, bringing the technology capabilities, data, and insights to our clients in new and innovative ways. I look forward to working with them as we continue our work to create purposeful workplaces for all.”

Huw Cahill, COO, added: “Having worked in various guises within RELX, I have long admired the commitment to excellence at XpertHR. The ‘people’ part of any business is now more important than ever before and there is such growth potential for us to support businesses across the globe to ensure they remain competitive and successful. I look forward to being part of this exciting next chapter.”

Mark Brandau, CMO, comments: “XpertHR has been on a huge growth journey, and I’m honoured and delighted to be a part of the next phase of success. I’m looking forward to working with the XpertHR team to bring more critical insights and guidance to HR leaders around the world. And I’m excited about the new product innovations and services we’ll introduce as the world of work continues to rapidly evolve.”

About XpertHR
XpertHR is part of RELX, the global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. XpertHR provides expert insight and practical tools to help organisations achieve greater efficiency, reduce risk and increase employee engagement. XpertHR has been providing HR solutions since 2002, empowering organisations to build successful workforces and create a purposeful workplace for all. Today, we are delivering smarter data analysis tools and cutting-edge technology to support future demands on HR in an increasingly digital world.
xperthr.co.uk

About RELX
RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The Group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs over 33,000 people, of whom almost half are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. The market capitalization is approximately £39bn, €46bn, $54bn.
RELX.com

Media enquiries:
Megan Linehan
Xperthr@rostrum.agency
02034047740

New York, NY – October 13, 2022 – In a BBB National Programs National Advertising Division (NAD) challenge, brought as part of NAD’s routine monitoring of national advertising for truth and transparency, the advertiser Once Upon a Farm voluntarily discontinued advertising claims regarding its Advanced Nutrition Baby Fruit & Veggies Blend.

Once Upon a Farm is a children’s nutrition company that offers a range of organic food for babies and children.

NAD inquired about the advertiser’s Instagram post that featured its Advanced Nutrition Baby Fruit & Veggies Blend and stated:

“Have you tried our NEW Advanced Nutrition Baby Fruit & Veggies Blend for babies yet? Veggie forward with hints of fruit, all three blends are formulated with prebiotics, probiotics, iron, vitamin B12, zinc and DHA – so you can feel comfortable your little ones are getting the nutrition they need for development.”

These statements were followed by a brain emoji and a flexed strong-arm emoji. NAD’s inquiry focused on whether the post created a link between the advertiser’s product ingredients and children’s brain and strength development that requires competent and reliable scientific data as support.

Although Once Upon a Farm provided NAD with evidence in support of its claims, during the proceeding it informed NAD that it had elected to permanently discontinue the challenged express claim for reasons other than the NAD inquiry. Therefore, NAD did not review the claim on its merits.

In its advertiser statement, Once Upon a Farm stated that it “confirms its agreement to comply with NAD’s recommendations.” The advertiser further stated that it is a “strong proponent of truthful advertising and welcomes the opportunity to support NAD’s self-regulation efforts.”

All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.

About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.

About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.