Category Archives: The Ad Watchers Show Notes

Episode Show Notes: How Should You Present Scientific Evidence to Support Your Ad Claims?



Ad Watchers’ episode four of season two provides advertisers insights into presenting evidence to support a claim at NAD. Eric Unis, Senior Attorney at the National Advertising Division (NAD), is joined by colleague Annie Ugurlayan, NAD’s Assistant Director, to walk listeners through what to expect when presenting a claim substantiation case. 

Annie begins by explaining that no matter the claim type, the stronger it is, the stronger its supporting evidence must also be. She states that different types of evidence bear different weights. For instance, human trials are more persuasive than animal trials when supporting a claim regarding pharmaceuticals marketed toward people. Annie also points out that it isn’t just express claims that need substantiation. Implied claims hold the same burden of proof. She uses the example of a “nontoxic” claim which would lead consumers to expect no health risks, even transient risks, to occur from the use or misuse of the product. Companies that make such implied claims must be able to provide evidence to support them. 

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Episode Show Notes: What Should You Consider Before Making Cosmetics Claims?



Ad Watchers’ episode three of season two provides insights into what advertisers should consider before making cosmetic claims. Eric Unis, Senior Attorney at the National Advertising Division (NAD), is joined by colleague Annie Ugurlayan, NAD’s Assistant Director, to walk listeners through the various cosmetic claims they encounter at NAD. Both experts provide an in-depth summary of what defines sufficient evidence and highlight emerging issues presented to the advertising self-regulatory program.

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Episode Show Notes: How to Get Consumer Perception Surveys Right?



Ad Watchers season two is underway. In this second episode of the season, hosts La Toya and Eric are joined by a special guest, Professor Joel Steckel. Professor Steckel is a Marketing Professor at the Stern School of Business at New York University and the Vice Dean for Doctoral Education. He joins in on a dynamic conversation centered on consumer perception surveys. In season one’s episode, “What Does it Mean to Have a “Reasonable Basis” Standard,” your hosts promised loyal listeners a conversation addressing reliable consumer surveys.

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Episode Show Notes: How Can You Avoid the Grey Areas of Green Claims?



Accountability Studios presents season two of Ad Watchers—a unique podcast series brought to you by the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs, a team with 50 years of experience investigating and resolving disputes over the truthfulness and accuracy of national advertising campaigns.

In the season’s first episode, La Toya and Eric walk listeners through environmental benefit claims, or “green claims,” such as sustainability, to help advertisers and practitioners think about the questions they should ask when advertising in this arena.

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Episode Show Notes: What Evidence Do You Need to Support Health Claims?



In the final episode of season one of Ad Watchers, the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs podcast series, hosts Hal and La Toya discuss health claims. These are any claims related to human health or wellness. These claims have a unique position in advertising claims substantiation because they require competent and reliable scientific evidence, also known in the industry as “CARSE.”

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