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 asignificant investment to pay above the current minimum rate established by NCDHHS forseveral types of child residential services (including Levels I-IV group or family settings) byNovember 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.
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.
Contact Information
Name: Abby Hills Email: press@bbbnp.org Job Title: Director of Communications, BBB National Programs
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.
New York, NY – October 19, 2022– In a reopened case arising from the petition of a prior decision, the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that L’Oréal USA, Inc. has now provided a reasonable basis for its claim that CeraVe is the “#1 dermatologist recommended skincare brand.”
The claims at issue, which appeared in online advertising, social media, and on in-store materials for CeraVe skincare products, were challenged by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (JJCI), the maker of competing Neutrogena brand skin care products.
2021 Challenge
In a 2021 challenge brought by JJCI, NAD examined L’Oréal’s support for the claim that CeraVe is the “#1 dermatologist recommended skincare brand.” NAD recommended that L’Oréal discontinue the claim based on its conclusion that the IQVIA ProVoice Dermatologist Survey relied on by L’Oréal as substantiation for its claim, was not reliable. Based on NAD’s recommendation, L’Oréal agreed to discontinue the claim.
Reopened Proceeding
In 2022, L’Oréal petitioned to reopen the decision pursuant to NAD/NARB Procedures. NAD granted the petition to re-open based on new evidence related to changes in the revised ProVoice Survey made by IQVIA to address concerns NAD had expressed in the 2021 challenge. During the reopened proceeding L’Oréal also provided new evidence from a NERA Survey that collected responses from 300 dermatologists regarding their actual recommendation practices.
NAD noted that while the revised ProVoice Survey included significant improvements consistent with NAD’s recommendations in the 2021 decision, the improvements did not entirely eliminate the inherent imprecision of the survey. However, NAD noted that a survey need not be perfect to serve as a reasonable basis for an advertising claim and NAD determined that the revised ProVoice Survey was substantially more reliable than the original ProVoice Survey.
NAD further noted that the NERA Survey, reliably captured dermatologists’ actual recommendation practices and that the results indicated that CeraVe is the clear leader in average weekly dermatologist recommendations. NAD found that the results are consistent with the category-based revised ProVoice Survey (and the original ProVoice Survey).
For these reasons, NAD determined that the new evidence submitted by L’Oréal, consisting of the revised ProVoice Survey and the NERA Survey, taken together provided a reasonable basis for L’Oréal’s claim that CeraVe is the “#1 dermatologist recommended skincare brand.”
In its advertiser’s statement, L’Oréal stated that it “appreciates NAD’s recognition of the modifications made to the ProVoice dermatologist survey and its finding that reopening of Case #6921 was warranted based on those revisions.” The advertiser further stated that it is a “strong proponent of the self-regulatory process and thanks NAD for its careful review of the record in this proceeding.”
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. (Replace above with interim boilerplate)
About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD), a division 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.
Contact Information
Name: Abby Hills Email: press@bbbnp.org Job Title: Director of Communications
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.
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.
Contact Information
Name: Abby Hills Email: press@bbbnp.org Job Title: Director of Communications
Chicago, USA: RudiCoder LLC, ein E-Commerce-Logistikunternehmen mit Sitz in Chicago, kündigt den Start von PriorNotify an. Mit dieser E-Commerce-Anwendung wird das Zulassungsverfahren für den Verkauf und Versand von internationalen Lebensmitteln und Getränken an US-Kunden automatisiert.
„Alle Anbieter, die internationale Lebensmittel- und Getränkeprodukte an Kunden in den USA verkaufen oder versenden, wissen, wie schwierig und zeitaufwändig die US-Zulassungsverfahren sein können. Mit unserer PriorNotify-Anwendung werden diese Verfahren in Sekundenschnelle abgeschlossen“, so Holly Urban, CEO und Mitbegründerin von RudiCoder.
PriorNotify wurde für Lebensmittel- und Getränkehersteller sowie für Händler, Lieferanten – und Versanddienstleister entwickelt. Internationale Firmen können nun problemlos Lebensmittelprodukte an Einzelhändler, Lieferanten und Verbraucher in den USA verkaufen und versenden.
PriorNotify bietet eine nahtlose Integration in Shopify, WordPress (WooCommerce), Magento, PrestaShop und WiX, damit das Zulassungsverfahren sofort beim Kauf eines Produkts automatisch abgeschlossen wird.
Die Anwendung funktioniert problemlos mit jedem Bestellverwaltungssystem sowie mit Online-Marktplätzen wie Amazon. Ohne direkte Integration können Kundenbestelldaten einfach hochgeladen werden, sodass Verkäufer mit hohem Auftragsvolumen schnell und effizient arbeiten können.
PriorNotify wurde für den E-Commerce entwickelt und ermöglicht internationalen Herstellern, Versandunternehmen, Dropshippern und anderen Händlern eine reibungslose Zusammenarbeit.
So können beispielsweise Lebensmittel- oder Getränkehersteller das Zulassungsverfahren automatisch in dem Moment abschließen, in dem ihre Produkte von Vertriebspartnern gekauft werden. Außerdem haben Dropshipper (Streckengeschäft) die Möglichkeit, die Hersteller mit PriorNotify automatisch über Bestellungen zu benachrichtigen und das Zulassungsverfahren für jede Produktbestellung direkt automatisch abzuschließen. Auch Versandunternehmen können mit PriorNotify das Zulassungsverfahren automatisch abschließen, sobald Produkte von ihren Kunden gekauft werden.
Zusätzlich können Nutzer von PriorNotify einfach und reibungslos Handelsrechnungen erstellen. Alle Seiten der PriorNotify-Anwendung lassen sich automatisch in viele verschiedene Sprachen übersetzen.
„PriorNotify ermöglicht es Unternehmen, ihr Produktangebot mühelos zu erweitern, ihren Absatz und Kundenstamm in den USA zu vergrößern und dabei ihre Gemeinkosten drastisch zu senken“, fügte Urban hinzu.
Die Preisstruktur bietet Rabatte und ermöglicht so Preise von nur 0,10 US-Dollar je Voranmeldung. Es gibt keine Einrichtungsgebühren, keine monatlichen Mindestgebühren, keine Gebühren pro Nutzer und keine Zusatzgebühren für vorgegebene Produktsortimente. PriorNotify kann kostenlos getestet werden. Weitere Informationen über PriorNotify finden Sie unter: PriorNotify.com.
RudiCoder LLC ist ein auf Lebensmittel und Getränke spezialisiertes Unternehmen für E-Commerce-Automatisierung mit Sitz in Chicago, USA: RudiCoder.com.
17th 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
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.
Contact Information
Name: Abby Hills Email: ahills@bbbnp.org Job Title: Director of Communications
National Advertising Division Finds Certain WhatsApp Express Claims Supported; WhatsApp Appeals NAD Recommendation to Discontinue or Modify Unsupported Claims
New York, NY – October 12, 2022– CTIA represents the U.S. wireless communications industry, including carriers and equipment manufacturers. CITA members, which include AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Nokia, Intel, Qualcomm, Ericsson, and others, challenged WhatsApp claims that appear in a television commercial titled “Doubt Delivered.”
The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that WhatsApp, LLC provided a reasonable basis for express claims for its WhatsApp messaging service analogizing SMS text messages to “open mail” and that WhatsApp did not overstate the vulnerability of SMS text messages compared to end-to-end encrypted messaging.
However, NAD found WhatsApp communicated certain other implied messages that NAD recommended discontinued or modified to better reflect the evidence, including that wireless carriers are careless; that they read user’s personal text messages; and that “Consumers must switch to a specialized app like WhatsApp to protect their messages from pervasive eavesdropping.” WhatsApp will appeal these portions of NAD’s decision.
NAD has long recognized that although humor can be an effective and creative way for advertisers to highlight the differences between their products and those of their competitors, humor and hyperbole do not relieve an advertiser of the obligation to support messages that their advertisements might reasonably convey.
At issue for NAD was whether the challenged commercial conveyed the misleading message that carriers and third parties routinely read private text messages and whether it disparages the practices, care, and ethics of wireless carriers.
Express Claims
NAD considered whether WhatsApp’s analogy between SMS text messages and “open mail” was supported or whether it overstated the vulnerability of SMS text messages to being compromised as compared with end-to-end encrypted messaging. After reviewing the evidence presented by WhatsApp, NAD concluded that it provided a reasonable basis for the advertiser’s “open mail” claims that:
“Text messages are just like open pieces of mail, they’re all open.”
“Every text message that individuals send is just as open as opened letters.”
Implied Claims
NAD considered whether the challenged commercial conveyed implied claims that improperly disparaged wireless carriers and that consumers must switch to WhatsApp to protect their messages from pervasive eavesdropping. NAD determined that the challenged commercial conveyed the implied messages that:
Wireless carriers, routinely and without consequences, read user’s personal text messages; and
Consumers must switch to a specialized app like WhatsApp to protect their messages from pervasive eavesdropping.
In so finding, NAD noted that “Doubt Delivered” goes beyond merely highlighting the differences between the advertiser’s product and that of its competitors but instead takes aim at the quality of competing messaging services and at the practices of the providers themselves. NAD found that the overarching takeaway of the commercial is one of casual and persistent snooping on the recipient’s mail – a message that comes through despite – and perhaps even because of – the commercial’s use of humor and hyperbole.
Further, NAD concluded that the commercial conveys the disparaging message that wireless carriers are careless with their customer’s communications.
Because the advertiser did not provide a reasonable basis for these implied claims, NAD recommended that they be discontinued or modified to better reflect the evidence.
NAD found that “Doubt Delivered” did not reasonably convey the challenged implied claims that:
All messages will be read by wireless carriers.
The content of text messages is collected by wireless carriers for their own purposes.
Wireless carriers are dishonest.
In its advertiser statement, WhatsApp stated that it “respectfully disagrees with NAD’s conclusions with respect to certain of the alleged implied claims and will appeal those portions of NAD’s decision.”
Appeals of NAD decisions are made to BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Review Board (NARB), the appellate-level truth-in-advertising body of BBB National Programs.
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in thecase decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to theonline 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.
Contact Information
Name: Abby Hills Email: press@bbbnp.org Job Title: Director of Communications
LAS VEGAS, NV (Oct. 11, 2022)—Edvisors is releasing its FAFSA resources for the 2023-2024 academic year to guide students and families through the 2023-2024 FAFSA. Edvisors informational FAFSA resources have been used by thousands of students each year, and this year we are excited to bring back the downloadable version of the Edvisors’ 2023-2024 FAFSA Guide, and a new FAFSA video walkthrough to help students and their families.
“Millions of families look to complete the application every year, and each year we strive to provide the resources they need to get through the application process,” explains Elaine Rubin, Director of Corporate Communications at Edvisors. “We heard from our site visitors that they missed the downloadable format of the guide. We are thrilled to bring back this trusted resource to help students.”
Inside the 2023-2024 FAFSA Guide, students can find information regarding:
FAFSA deadlines
Reporting demographic information
Determining your FAFSA Parent
Reporting income and assets
Dependency status, and
How to submit the form
In addition to the downloadable guide, students can use additional Edvisor resources to help them through the application that include:
Articles and blogs discussing the FAFSA and explaining common areas of confusion
About Edvisors: For 20 years we have been known as one of the largest and most trusted resources to help students find their path to success. Everyone needs to find their own path, and we know that first-hand. We work to provide information from both our professional and personal experiences, to help individuals through college and beyond. Every year, millions of students and their families turn to the company’s flagship site, Edvisors.com, for timely, accurate information, advice and tools that help them confidently make the best decisions about paying for college. Additionally, Edvisors owns ScholarshipPoints.com, where students earn points to enter scholarship drawings (the site has awarded over $1 million to date); PrivateStudentLoans.com, which helps borrowers find private loan solutions during school and in the refinancing stage. Founded in 1998, Edvisors is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. More information can be found at www.edvisors.com.
Contact Information
Name: Elaine Rubin Email: press@edvisors.com Job Title: Director of Corporate Communications
