Free for All WOMMA Members
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 | 12:00 EST
On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, WOMMA hosted a timely teleconference on a subject that is likely to touch many word of mouth marketers. As of June 20, the Federal Trade Commission has announced that they will subpoena major food and beverage manufacturers and fast food restaurants demanding details of their efforts to market food to kids. The information that the FTC gathers is set to be used in a report to the Senate.
Because of the scope of the questions and implications for various types of media used to reach children, third-parties could be affected. In addition, with the FTC's announcement that it will be seeking data about "unmeasured media" -- which may include word of mouth marketing -- the agency will be studying new media platforms and contemporary marketing techniques.
What are the next steps to take now and when the FTC requests arrive? Why is this relevant to the WOMMA membership? What issues should you be concerned about? Join Tony DiResta, Partner, Reed Smith and former Director of the FTC's Southeast Regional Office to find out the answers to these questions and more.
Tony discussed:
- Current thinking at the FTC about the "new marketing ecosystem"
- The FTC subpoena process
- How the class action bar may view this development and how responses could be improved to frustrate those potential plaintiffs
- How this will affect word of mouth marketers
Featured Speaker:
Tony DiResta, Partner, Reed Smith
Anthony (Tony) E. DiResta's practice at Reed Smith focuses on complex commercial litigation (trial and appellate), governmental investigations and enforcement, white collar defense, and business counseling. While he has a breadth of experience in many substantive legal areas and in a wide range of industries, he specializes in trade and consumer regulation, antitrust and unfair competition, business torts, and contractual disputes.
Several years ago, Tony was appointed the Director of the Federal Trade Commission's Southeast Regional Office, where he supervised many of the enforcement, investigative, litigation, and outreach activities of the Competition and Consumer Protection Bureaus of the agency in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. Under his leadership, the Office received the John Marshall Award from the Attorney General of the United States for its enforcement achievements.
Did you miss this valuable teleconference?
Members can download the audio for free -- an exclusive member benefit now available in the WOMMA Member Center!