Inside Publications, LLC
Also known as: Inside Gymnastics.
The FTC alleged that Inside Publications reposted paid athlete endorsements without disclosure and presented paid insect-repellent advertising as independent editorial content. The FTC later approved a final consent order.
Resolved. Refunded, settled, ceased operating, or the claim did not hold up. Kept for the record.
Identity
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- Registrations
- In the Matter of Inside Publications, LLC (FTC administrative proceeding, 2019)
- Locations
- Georgia
- Jurisdictions
- United States (federal)
Final order addressed undisclosed endorsements and disguised advertising
Inside Publications, LLC, publisher of Inside Gymnastics magazine, partnered with public relations firm Creaxion Corporation to obtain athlete endorsers and promote a mosquito repellent during the 2016 Zika virus outbreak. The Federal Trade Commission alleged that paid athletes posted social media endorsements without disclosing compensation and that Inside Publications reposted those endorsements without disclosure. The FTC also alleged that Inside Gymnastics ran paid advertisements disguised as features or other editorial articles.
The proposed administrative order prohibited the Inside Publications respondents from misrepresenting an endorser or reviewer’s status, including a claim that the person was an independent user or ordinary consumer. It required clear disclosure of unexpected material connections in endorsements and barred representing paid commercial advertising as the opinion of an independent publisher or source. The order also required steps to notify endorsers of their responsibilities, monitor endorsements, and terminate endorsers who did not comply.
The 2018 release covered separate respondents. Its allegation that employees and friends were reimbursed for Walmart.com reviews was stated only against the Creaxion respondents and is not attributed to Inside Publications here. After a public comment period, the FTC case page reported on February 12, 2019, that final orders settling the allegations had been approved.
Sources
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- Enforcement action November 13, 2018
- Enforcement action February 12, 2019
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First recorded November 13, 2018 · Last updated February 12, 2019