Regulatory Rumblings

Minnesota Ad Tax Threat Grows

Trouble Brewing in the Buckeye State

In the aftermath of the Fiscal Cliff and the looming sequester, most eyes have focused on budgetary matters in Washington. But perhaps the most imminent threat to the advertising community can be found 400 miles west in Columbus, Ohio.

Key Congressional Leaders Strongly Question Proposed Food Ad Guidelines

An important letter was sent yesterday (September 12, 2011) to the heads of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on the Interagency Working Group on Food Marketed to Children’s (IWG) proposed guidelines for food marketed to children.

TRUTH in Labeling – Voluntarism Unmasked

Last Thursday (July 14th 2011), the FTC ended its comment period on the Interagency Working Group’s (IWG) proposed principles for Food Marketing to Children. Comments flooded in from virtually every segment of the food, beverage, restaurant and advertising communities. They forcefully pierced the façade that these “proposals” are anything other than thinly disguised government ultimatums, ...

Regulatory Supersizing

Our response to a blog post by David Vladeck of the FTC that mocks, disparages, deprecates and dismisses a broad range of serious issues raised by the business community concerning the Interagency Working Group’s (IWG) Proposal on Food Marketed to Children.

The FDA's New Graphic Warnings for Tobacco Products Violate the First Amendment

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today unveiled a set of nine new graphic warnings that must appear on all tobacco packages and ads next year. We believe that these gruesome, graphic warnings are excessive and violate the First Amendment.

The OBA Battle Continues

All of these new online behavioral advertising (OBA) bills, if enacted into law, would greatly affect the ability of marketers to effectively reach consumers.

Do Not Track Should Not Pass Go

Focusing on Real Solutions to Childhood Obesity

The White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity released an important report yesterday on “Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation.” We commend the President and all of the members of the Task Force for their efforts to focus on real solutions to this serious national challenge. The Action Plan released today contains a number of comprehensive strategies and recommendati ...

FCC Examining "Future of Media"

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued an examination into the “Future of Media and Information Needs of Communities in a Digital Age.” The FCC states its goal is to “assess whether all Americans have access to vibrant, diverse sources of news and information that will enable them to enrich their lives, their communities and our democracy.”