Nowadays product endorsements come in all shapes and sizes. From a glowing Yelp review by a stranger to an ad for clothing featuring your favorite sports star, the message and the messenger can vary widely. In some cases it’s obvious that the endorser has an agreement with the brand. But sometimes the waters get a little muddy and it can be hard to tell if an eager-sounding blogger truly loves the new sneakers they’re testing or if they’ve been given something in return for bouncing up and down in their shoes.
As the landscape of influencers continues to shift from traditional media to powerful influencers, we at GFM spend quite a bit of time researching and forming relationships with influencers such as bloggers on behalf of our clients. To ensure that our relationships with influencers are in legal compliance – whether we’re offering a simple coupon or seeking a larger opportunity – we work closely with legal advisors to help us keep up to speed with this rapidly changing legal landscape. Watch this short video interview with one of those experts, Marc Levy of Faegre Baker Daniels, to learn more. And, don’t hesitate to call us if we can help you navigate the system – particularly in the New Year, as according to Marc new rulings from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are expected at the end of 2012.
