MN/ND Advertising Review ServicesMission: to support and promote self regulation; to monitor print, broadcast and electronic media; to challenge misleading advertising; and to spotlight substandard marketplace practicesAdvertising Review is the foundation on which the Better Business Bureau system was built. Originally called Vigilance Committees, Better Business Bureaus were founded specifically to address problems with deceptive and misleading advertising. Since 1912, the Better Business Bureau has greatly expanded its services, yet Advertising Review remains one of its most fundamental and important functions.
The BBB monitors print, electronic and broadcast media daily, across Minnesota and North Dakota, through the following programs:Clipping Sessions begin with stacks of newspapers and direct mail from all across our service area of Minnesota and North Dakota. Our staff looks for certain phrases, disclosures, and industries that may be misleading or confusing. Questionable ads are clipped and marked for review; further action is taken, if necessary.
Ad Hawk Committee is a group of volunteers charged to be our eyes and ears by listening to television and radio advertising and bringing concerns to the BBB for review/action.
Web Surfing Sessions are designed to bring the same level of review to internet ads. Using these programs, we proactively monitor print, electronic and broadcast media on a daily basis, across all of the major markets in Minnesota and North Dakota.
The BBB addresses misleading advertising in the following ways:
Advertising Challenges: We review advertising and make contacts based upon a particular claim’s egregiousness or capacity to impact the marketplace. We seek voluntary responses from businesses with regards to substantiating, modifying or discontinuing misleading or confusing ad claims.
Consumer Advertising Review: We work with businesses to resolve consumer complaints pertaining to material facts in advertising that influenced a consumer’s buying decision.
Competitor Advertising Review: We offer the only mechanism of its kind: A venue for competitors to bring a problematic marketplace practice to the BBB’s attention for review and action – and have the option to remain anonymous. We understand businesses are most familiar with issues impacting their industry and depend on them to inform us when issues arise where the BBB can assist with finding a resolution.
Secret Shopping Program: We verify that advertising is consistent with selling practices, utilizing BBB staff, interns and community volunteers. Our secret shoppers experience marketplace behavior at the point of contact and support investigations.
We promote ethical advertising by:Prior to Publication Advertising Review: We give priority service to businesses and their advertising agency reps by reviewing company advertising prior to publication for adherence to the BBB Code of Advertising, Federal Trade Commission guidelines and other applicable rules or best practices.
Ad Alerts: We assess current advertising trends in the marketplace and develop Ad Alerts for distribution to advertisers and industry representatives which include a “BBB position” and resources in an effort to reduce and prevent consumer complaints.
Workshops and Presentations: We provide workshops to business leaders, schools, advertising agencies and related entities on the rules of the road for advertising (such as disclosures, coupons and contests), based on a variety of resources and references.
National Programs: We collaborate with a variety of Council of Better Business Bureau advertising programs. These programs include: National Advertising Review Council, Children’s Advertising Review Unit, Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative and the Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program.
Brand Management: We monitor the Better Business Bureau name and combat misuse of the BBB logo. We refer matters of non-compliance to the Council of Better Business Bureau’s trademark attorneys.
For further information, please contact:Karen Thompson, Advertising Review Manager
D: 651-695-2418
kthompson@thefirstbbb.orgLisa Jemtrud, Director of Outreach and Industry Services
D: 651-695-2450
ljemtrud@thefirstbbb.orgAdvertising Resources:
- Federal Trade Commission:
- http://www.ftc.gov/
- Minnesota Attorney General:
- http://www.ag.state.mn.us/
- North Dakota Attorney General:
- http://www.ag.state.nd.us/
BBB National Advertising Review Resources:
- National Advertising Review Council:
- http://www.bbb.org/us/national-advertising-division-contact/
- Children’s Advertising Review Unit:
- http://www.bbb.org/us/children-advertising-review-unit/contact/
- Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative:
- http://www.bbb.org/us/children-food-beverage-advertising-initiative/
- Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program:
- http://www.bbb.org/us/electronic-retailing-self-regulation-program/
