FTC director, Richard Cleland, interviewed..

[tecHead]

Just got this from Michel Fortin...

"Hi,

Just a quick note to let you know that my friend, Jim Edwards,
had the good fortune of interviewing an FTC director (in charge
of advertising and claims), Richard Cleland.

If you're an affiliate, a blogger, or an Internet marketer, and
you're worried or confused about the upcoming December 1st new
laws coming into effect, then you NEED to watch this!

It's totally pitch-free and information-packed. Watch it now...

Q&A With FTC Re: Bloggers, Affiliates, Advertisers & More"

Thanks, Michel!!

PLP,
tecHead

[milan]

Duplicate thread:

Exclusive Interview With The FTC.

[tecHead]

Yeah, I saw that; although this original post hit at 6:15pm (board time) and the other at 6:40pm.

I really don't care who gets credit for posting the info as long as the info is posted and people digest it.

If its an issue, Mods, please take this one down.

[Sylonious]

Richard Cleland @ FTC - "I don't think that the average customer would think that Jared's results were typical".

Somebody from the FTC must be monitoring the Warrior forums, because I just brought that up like 2 days ago here. That's a very strange coincidence, imo.

Richard Cleland @FTC - There may be some industries where you can't make performance claims because you just don't know how this product is going to be used or how it is going to be performed. You may have to rely primarily on [b]satisfaction testimonials.

Jim Edwards (Interviewer) - But what if someone actually uses it and gets results?

Richard Cleland @FTC - That has no relevance to what someone else can expect from the product.

If I have a weight loss product and I use someone who has lost 10 pounds in a couple of months versus 100 pounds in two months. One is an obvious lightning rod the other is close enough to the line where it could in fact be a typical result.

That gives me some hope that internet marketers can still use testimonials.

[Allworth]

If the average consumer didn't think Jared's results were typical then what would be the point of using him the the TV ad?

Jared apparently ate the lowest calorie subs from Subway and probably combined that with a "sensible diet and exercise" which most likely accounts for his weight loss. McDonald's could probably market themselves that way if a person ate only their salads.

Of course the average Subway customer probably won't end up ordering a low cal sub. Subway's strategy is all about making you feel you are eating healthy when you are eating regular food. Also notice a few years back then changed their color scheme from brown and yellow to green and yellow which the brain perceives as being more health conscious.

Advertising is all about possibilities; the potential buyer sees himself using the product and getting the potential benefits.

[Sylonious]

Originally Posted by Allworth

If the average consumer didn't think Jared's results were typical then what would be the point of using him the the TV ad?

Jared apparently ate the lowest calorie subs from Subway and probably combined that with a "sensible diet and exercise" which most likely accounts for his weight loss. McDonald's could probably market themselves that way if a person ate only their salads.

Of course the average Subway customer probably won't end up ordering a low cal sub. Subway's strategy is all about making you feel you are eating healthy when you are eating regular food. Also notice a few years back then changed their color scheme from brown and yellow to green and yellow which the brain perceives as being more health conscious.

Advertising is all about possibilities; the potential buyer sees himself using the product and getting the potential benefits.

Exactly, but this is a way for them to separate "honest" businesses like Subway from Acai Berry sellers and other Internet Marketers.

I have mixed feelings about that.

[sligon00]

Originally Posted by Sylonious

Exactly, but this is a way for them to separate "honest" businesses like Subway from Acai Berry sellers and other Internet Marketers.

I have mixed feelings about that.

Are you saying Acai Berry people are not honest , or that the company
itself is not honest. Maybe Jared is not honest, how do we know he
really lost the weight eating Subways ? For all we know he was eating
something else and targeted Subway as to make money from someone
with deep pockets, that could promote him, and themselves at the same
time.

BayAreaSteve

[Sylonious]

Originally Posted by sligon00

Are you saying Acai Berry people are not honest , or that the company
itself is not honest. Maybe Jared is not honest, how do we know he
really lost the weight eating Subways ? For all we know he was eating
something else and targeted Subway as to make money from someone
with deep pockets, that could promote him, and themselves at the same
time.

BayAreaSteve

Lol, I put honest in quotation marks. It's not necessarily my opinion that those sites are dishonest. I'm just trying to make sense of why they would be selective in that way.