Tag Archives: Direct Selling

Episode Show Notes: How is Direct Selling Advertising Different?



00:00 – This Ad Watchers episode provides insight into BBB National Program’s Direct Selling Self Regulatory Council (DSSRC) and how it works within the direct selling industry. Eric Unis, Senior Attorney at the National Advertising Division (NAD), and his colleague Annie Ugurlayan, NAD’s Assistant Director, are joined by guest Peter Marinello, the Vice President of DSSRC.

Continue reading Episode Show Notes: How is Direct Selling Advertising Different?


How is Direct Selling Advertising Different?



For years, the direct selling industry carried a stigma of frauds and pyramid schemes, but in 2019, the Direct Selling Association decided to take control of its reputation. They enlisted the help of BBB National Programs to develop a self-regulatory program. From this partnership came the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC).

In this episode of Ad Watchers, hosts Eric and Annie are joined by the Vice President of the DSSRC, Peter Marinello. Peter shares with listeners how the DSSRC has worked to support the direct selling industry. Listen now to understand self-regulation’s impact on the market and what to expect during a direct selling self-regulatory case.

For more information about this episode, read the show notes here


Direct Selling in the Age of a Pandemic



COVID-19 has left millions of Americans unemployed and seeking new solutions to help them navigate the tough road ahead. Some have turned to the direct selling industry, chasing claims of financial freedom. Peter Marinello, Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) Vice President, and Howard J. Smith, one of the DSSRC’s attorneys, help us explore the unique world of direct selling and fill us in on the COVID-related claims that have kept them busier than usual over the last several months.