This week, the Performance Marketing Association Industry Report, a podcast dedicated to the most pressing issues our industry is facing, focused on the Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines regarding the use of endorsements and testimonials in online advertising.

Lisa Picarille moderates the podcast and the special quests are Rich Cleland, the Assistant Director for the Division of Advertising Practices at the Federal Trade Commission and Tom Cohn, a practicing attorney, previously with the FTC.

An Insiders Look at the FTC’s New Advertiser Guidelines

We discussed the impetus for creating these guidelines; how long it took to come up with the guidelines and who was involved in the process; how the FTC looks for violators; what types of people are most like to be considered offenders; the consequences of not adhering to the guidelines; the educational efforts of the FTC surrounding he guidelines; what makes a good disclaimer or disclosure; why these may or may not work; and much more.

Other recent posts regarding the FTC guidelines:

Under New Captain, FTC Trims Sails For Speed

Survival Guide To The FTC For Advertisers And Bloggers

A Screamingly Effective Blog Disclosure Policy: How (and Why) To Get One

UPDATE: New important article hot off the press:

Affiliate Marketing Garners FTC’s Concern

Online affiliate marketing has caught the commission’s eye, Gordon said, as it’s a space that has exploded — and with it many deceptive campaigns that have left the FTC less than pleased.

Gordon said the FTC wouldn’t rule out investigating both the affiliate and the primary marketer, as both should have responsibility for claims an affiliate makes.

*Advertising Disclosure Policy*