The blogosphere is all a-twitter with the news that the Federal Trade Commission has updated the guidance it gives to advertisers related to endorsement and testimonials. The best run down I’ve seen so far is Brian Solis’ at TechCrunch.
As a result of the evolving level of influence inherent in the social Web, and web in general, the notice incorporates several amendments to the FTC’s Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in advertising and blogging, which address endorsements by consumers, experts, organizations, and celebrities, as well as the disclosure of important connections between advertisers and endorsers. Fines for violating the new rule will run up to $11,000 per incident.
Ok, so pay-per-post is pretty well covered, and it should be. It also isn’t exactly groundbreaking that people willing to pay for coverage (and those ready and willing to accept) are the bottom of the social media barrel.
But the far more interesting discussions should explore the “material connections” between advertisers and endorsers. This is the gray area in which wise marketers will need to get very smart – very quickly.
The father of modern agriculture, probably responsible for saving more human lives than any person in history, passed away this morning
Borlaug was known as a champion of high-yield crop varieties, and other science and agricultural innovations to help fight hunger in developing nations.
“We all eat at least three times a day in privileged nations, and yet we take food for granted,” Borlaug said recently in an interview posted on the university’s Web site.
If Borlaug were beginning his work today, what would the “slow food” crowd say? How would they respond?
Since I’ll be reading and helping a fine group of folks get their feet wet on their own blogs this Fall Semester, it seems only fitting that I practice as I preach.
I would probably write about my new “Arc of Vendor Relations.” It looks a lot like the Laffer curve – but instead of marginal tax rates graphed against total government revenue – it pits rudeness (assertiveness) against effectiveness (response). It’s very handy, when you’re looking for that optimal level of kick-to-the-head.
Oddest thing…of all the posts buried in this blog, any post regarding Brian Connolly or “Strumpette” (but I repeat myself) tends to get 3-4x of the spam comment submissions of any other content on the site. For something that’s basically dormant, I just find it interesting. Go figure.
Meaning, ’subject of WaPo gossip column.’ I do wonder about this requirement to print ages of couples. Seems pretty odd.
Love, Etc.
Engaged: Monica Goodling, 34, the former Alberto Gonzales adviser, to Michael Krempasky, 33, a top PR guy at Edelman and founding blogger with RedState.com. The betrothal of the Pennsylvania natives (first reported by the legal blog AboveTheLaw.com) proves that even a congressional subpoena can have a happy ending: The two dated just after college, then lost touch for a decade — until he saw her name last spring in the front-page stories about the controversial firings of several U.S. attorneys, and called to wish her well. He surprised her with a Valentine’s Day proposal at the same restaurant where they spent V-Day 12 years ago; no date set.
So…radio silence for quite some time. But on the bright side, it’s not a trip (business or guilt) that has drug me back to this old blog. Nope, much better than that.
Last night I asked a beautiful girl to marry me. For some (as yet inexplicable) reason, she whispered, “yes.” Truth be told, I don’t remember much after that. What I *do* know is that I can’t wait to read the next chapter of this most excellent love story.