ASRC Today’s Must-Read

The New York Times “Bits” Blog took notice recently of celebrity endorsements via Twitter, offering the National Advertising Division a nice opportunity to weigh in on truth and accuracy:

“Like advertorials and infomercials, with Twitter, our view would be that the consumers have a right to know. It gives them that additional information, just like a celebrity endorsing something on TV,” said Andrea C. Levine, director the National Advertising Division, part of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, which reviews advertising claims for accuracy.

“It’s a new day, with a new way, but an old issue,” Ms. Levine said.

You can read the NYT post here. (Subscription required.)

Advertising Age has also  provided readers with a good look at the risks of  “native advertising,” courtesy of Laura Brett, NAD Staff Attorney.

Much of the discussion has centered on the responsibility of publishers to ensure consumers aren’t hoodwinked by ads-posing-as-editorial content. It is important to remember, though, that advertisers bear a responsibility to consumers  as well.

The AdAge story can be found here. (Subscription required.)