Did recent post on FTG violate FTC rules?
Aug 11, 2014, 7:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Did recent post on FTG violate FTC rules?
So FTG has a post today about hertz that really reads like sponsered content - even sponsered is hidden in the URL - though not clear in the body
http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/...neverlost.html
Unsurprisingly, comments were disabled
And they have a tweet about it that reads:
Never ever ever (ever) get lost again with @Hertz NeverLost bit.ly/1riMNy9
Interestingly, the tweet never mentions it's sponsered ad content. I'm not a blogger, but I thought the FTC ruled that tweets like this (linking to ad and sponsered copy) need to be disclosed IN the tweet... And their in article disclosure may not have passed the mustard either
http://www.mediapost.com/publication...res-hasht.html
Can any bloggers/experts who know more about required disclosures chime in?
http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/...neverlost.html
Unsurprisingly, comments were disabled
And they have a tweet about it that reads:
Never ever ever (ever) get lost again with @Hertz NeverLost bit.ly/1riMNy9
Interestingly, the tweet never mentions it's sponsered ad content. I'm not a blogger, but I thought the FTC ruled that tweets like this (linking to ad and sponsered copy) need to be disclosed IN the tweet... And their in article disclosure may not have passed the mustard either
http://www.mediapost.com/publication...res-hasht.html
Can any bloggers/experts who know more about required disclosures chime in?
Aug 11, 2014, 7:22 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
uh, then how do things like robb report not disclose?
also the entire existence of guerilla and viral marketing, especially via social media.
there were some great posts elsewhere on FT talking about how much paid media exists.
also the entire existence of guerilla and viral marketing, especially via social media.
there were some great posts elsewhere on FT talking about how much paid media exists.
Aug 11, 2014, 8:08 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Example 14 is pretty clear and probably applies in this case. Good luck getting it enforced, though. Example 21 is a great reminder to not bury the sponsorship disclosure at the end of the post.
Aug 19, 2014, 11:11 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 37,486
Regardless of any law broken (and it appears that one is not because of the "brought to you by Hertz" disclaimer), this is just plain sleazy and disrespectful to your readers. On the page:
With this, the only actual user generated content is the list of related posts. I've never seen anything quite like this.
- Sponsored content
- Header banner
- Top banner
- Side banners
- Mid-content banners
- Right column banners
- Bottom right ad
With this, the only actual user generated content is the list of related posts. I've never seen anything quite like this.
Aug 21, 2014, 10:31 pm
#6
formerly known as felinaar
Join Date: Jan 2010
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The author is listed as "Brought to you by Hertz" which is probably a legitimate alternative to putting "Sponsored" in the title. Never mind that the text is much smaller.
As for turning the comments off, I've been approached before about true sponsored posts, where I wouldn't get to write any of the content. It would just be handed to me and I'd publish it as-is. In those cases, it was made clear that the comments would need to be turned off. (FWIW, I didn't accept these offers.)
As for turning the comments off, I've been approached before about true sponsored posts, where I wouldn't get to write any of the content. It would just be handed to me and I'd publish it as-is. In those cases, it was made clear that the comments would need to be turned off. (FWIW, I didn't accept these offers.)
Aug 22, 2014, 9:42 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BUF
Programs: SPG Plt, HHonors Gold, UA Gold, PC Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 880
The author is listed as "Brought to you by Hertz" which is probably a legitimate alternative to putting "Sponsored" in the title. Never mind that the text is much smaller.
As for turning the comments off, I've been approached before about true sponsored posts, where I wouldn't get to write any of the content. It would just be handed to me and I'd publish it as-is. In those cases, it was made clear that the comments would need to be turned off. (FWIW, I didn't accept these offers.)
As for turning the comments off, I've been approached before about true sponsored posts, where I wouldn't get to write any of the content. It would just be handed to me and I'd publish it as-is. In those cases, it was made clear that the comments would need to be turned off. (FWIW, I didn't accept these offers.)