Join National Advertising Division attorneys on this podcast as they explore advertising claims and what it means to put them to the truthfulness test.
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With more consumers seeking debt relief and digital financial tools than ever before, claims about savings and financial outcomes are drawing increased attention from regulators, competitors, and self-regulatory bodies alike. In this episode of Ad Watchers, attorneys from the National Advertising Division (NAD) break down recent cases involving debt relief providers and personal finance apps, exploring what advertisers need to know about substantiating savings claims, survey-based advertising, typical consumer results, and clear disclosures. Tune in to learn how advertisers can better align th
Influencer marketing is now a major part of the advertising landscape, but questions around disclosures, sponsored content, material connections, and misleading claims continue to create challenges for brands, agencies, creators, and consumers. In this episode of Ad Watchers, our hosts speak with Jennifer Santos about the Institute for Responsible Influence, an initiative designed to help creators and brands better understand responsible advertising practices. The conversation covers IRI’s certification program, FTC endorsement requirements, disclosure best practices, creator education, monito
With heightened consumer expectations around safety, transparency, and performance, infant care brands face growing pressure to ensure their advertising claims are properly supported. In this episode of Ad Watchers, NAD attorneys explore the evolving and innovative landscape of infant care marketing, from infant formula and diapers to AI-powered baby monitors and bassinets. Learn about recent cases and ensuring vulnerable audiences fully understand the benefits and limitations of advertised products in this multidimensional category. Related Resources: NAD Case #7422: Kendal Nutricare Limited
Ad Watchers: Are pet product claims more marketing than reality? Pet product advertising is facing increased scrutiny, and recent National Advertising Division (NAD) cases highlight why precision in claims matters. In this episode of Ad Watchers, NAD attorneys break down key cases involving “human-grade” pet food, ingredient and comparative claims, savings messages, Made in USA qualifications, and common issues like puffery and odor or stain elimination claims. The episode underscores a critical point for advertisers: substantiation standards apply just as rigorously to pet products as they do
In this episode, the National Advertising Division (NAD) examines the rapid rise in pharma and health-related cases—now a significant and growing share of its docket. The conversation explores some of today’s most closely scrutinized issues, including GLP-1 and compounded drug claims, and a wide variety of health claims from eczema to plantar fasciitis, as well as strikethrough pricing and endorsement disclosures. This episode offers a timely look at how self-regulation is shaping industry practices through its wide-ranging guidance amidst increasing legal and regulatory pressure. Related Reso
It is common for advertisers to engage in a little healthy competition, directly comparing their products to a competitor’s to inform consumers about the differences between them. But what happens when things get mean? It crosses the line when denigrating claims are false. The National Advertising Division’s (NAD) mission is to ensure that consumers are getting accurate advertising, to enhance trust in the marketplace. In this final episode of the season, hosts Annie and Eric discuss denigrating claims cases that have come before NAD and how our advertising lawyers break down when a line has b
In 2024, 82% of U.S. marketers used influencer partnerships in ad campaigns at a value of a whopping $24 billion. Influencer marketing is a key cornerstone of marketing campaigns, but how much do consumers trust influencers and influencer marketing? In this episode of Ad Watchers, hosts Annie and Eric are joined by Katie Goldstein of SuperAwesome to discuss recent data commissioned by the National Advertising Division to establish consumer trust in influencer advertising. The survey found that one of the biggest reasons for distrust in influencers is a lack of transparency and honesty about br
Health-related advertising claims are held to a higher standard of proof than other claims. For health-related claims, a “reasonable basis” requires advertisers to provide competent and reliable scientific evidence (CARSE). In this episode, your hosts Annie and Eric dig into the weeds of National Advertising Division cases on GLP-1, claims that certain foods could “boost brain health,” performance claims like “live longer” and “jump higher,” and other drug and dietary supplement claims, including those targeted to creating a “calm mood” in children. Key Takeaways 00:00 Introduction to the Nati
The U.S. advertising industry founded the National Advertising Division (NAD) to build consumer trust in advertising and support fair competition in the marketplace. Through this soft law model, responsible brands voluntarily discontinue or modify challenged misleading ad claims. In this era of deregulation, industry leaders can learn from the advertising industry and keep moving forward even if government does not. In this episode of Ad Watchers, hosts Annie and Eric talk with Howard Smith, the Executive Director of the Center for Industry Self-Regulation (CISR), a charitable non-profit that
A single-issue ad law case does not mean it is not an important issue. For the last 5 years, the Fast-Track SWIFT filing track has addressed the increasing speed of online campaigns and the demand for the challenge process to keep pace, issuing decisions within 20 days of the challenge. In this episode of Ad Watchers, hosts Annie and Eric discuss the rapid rise in single-issue advertising NAD challenges, a 3-fold increase in the last three years, and outline the types of cases seen, such as disclosure and #1 claims. Related Resources: Fast-Track SWIFT National Advertising Division Finds ‘Veriz
