Comments on: Why Is The FTC Singling Out Bloggers?

By: brains

brains — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:05:17 +0000

Agree to agree.

By: Donna

Donna — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:15:22 +0000

Thank you for this. I worked for years in radio and television and always received free stuff in the course of my jobs there, and it was no big deal. When I started doing reviews on my blog, I usually indicated that companies approached me and gave me the products I was reviewing — but I didn’t write any formal disclosures. Now, I do. I don’t mind disclosures, but I do resent the double standard.

By: Condo Blues

Condo Blues — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:44:45 +0000

Excellent points all around! I worked in local TV production and promotions where swag was just a normal part of doing business. While watching TV or movies, I like to play the Spot the Product Placement Game which isn’t disclosed and can be much more expensive items such as trips for reality show families than a bottle of cleaner which a blogger is asked to sample and review. Why the double standard?

By: Kristy

Kristy — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 22:00:12 +0000

Wow, the hypocrisy of this whole thing is really infuriating.

Hopefully the pursuit of singling out bloggers will die down when people start realizing that it isn’t limited to the blogging world, or did it even start here!

Thank you for such a good article – hopefully it will educate the FTC as well.

By: Ellen E.

Ellen E. — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:12:16 +0000

I’ve been active in marketing since the day I left grad school – first with IBM, then with my own marketing & promotion agency. You are right. Consider all these paid-for situations: rampant product placement in movies; actor plugs in gossip columns;reality show prizes; and the list goes on in terms of mainstream media.

But here’s an even bigger thought: Lobbyists in Washington have more control than any ad agency in determining what we buy. The pharmaceuticals are the worst offenders. They have unending deep pockets in D.C.; and the same can be said for their presence in doctors’ offices. I’m never in a doctor’s building that I don’t see the person in the little suit with the rolling suitcase.

So what harm can a Mommy Blogger do when the controllers in D.C. are actually controlled by industry. It’s crazy! And I have a soap box on this, too.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:02:17 +0000

I was talking about this last night with a friend of mine. Not to get political, but I feel like it’s another small step to a Socialist Nation.

Why Bloggers are being singled out, it’s got to be the fact that the Blogging world is booming. WOM is worth much more to advertisers than standard print ads- we all know that- that’s why we do what we do.

Some of us are into it for the products, some of us are into it for the fun, and some of us bank a nice little chunk of change. It shouldn’t matter what we’re into it for. We are human, we are real people with real opinions. We are not advertising specialists with a degree, our blog is a PERSONAL blog- and as an American we still have Freedom of Speech.

I’m going to step off of my soapbox now, but I’ve been giving this topic a lot of thought lately.

I agree with the previous commenter who suggested you send your comments to the FTC.

By: MammaLoves

MammaLoves — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:04:18 +0000

INDEED! Saving this to refer back to later.

By: Asianmommy

Asianmommy — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:45:12 +0000

This is a very good point. I don’t have a problem with bloggers having to disclose their relationships with sponsors, but you’re right–everyone else should be held to the same standards.

By: JamericanSpice

JamericanSpice — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:58:42 +0000

I too agree with you on this. It’s crazy. It’s as if they have nothing else to do so they drum up things to put on the docket.

By: Leighann of Multi-Minding Mom

Leighann of Multi-Minding Mom — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:33:17 +0000

Excellent points.

I stopped enjoying John & Kate when it became product sponsorship central. It was no longer a “reality show” when all the guest celebs started showing up on their doorstep.

I think that a general disclosure statement by bloggers saying that they receive free products should be sufficient. And I think it’s horrible that I have to consider becoming an LLC to protect my family. Becoming an LLC in my state is $450 up front and $250 a year to upkeep. I don’t receive the kind of cash profit from blogging that would make it worth that.