Did you know the BBB was founded in 1912 and its primary mission 99 years ago was Advertising Review? Almost 100 years later, BBBs across the country conduct thousands of ad reviews every year. BBB’s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. One of the ways in which BBBs can assist in building that trust between consumers and businesses is by monitoring, reviewing and challenging ad claims in their markets. Your local BBB serving Eastern Oklahoma has always had an active ad review program, but with the BBB’s Centennial Year your BBB will focus upon its original roots and highlight its Ad Review program in the media as well as both to consumers and businesses.
So, how can you help BBB? If you see an ad you think the BBB needs to review please email it to info@tulsabbb.org. If this is not something you can email, then give us a call at 918-492-1266 and ask to speak to someone in regard to ad review.
If you receive an Ad Review Challenge from the BBB, don’t be alarmed. Your company has not been singled out. Our goal is never to say “Gotcha”; rather it is to assist you in making sure your company meets the BBB’s Code of Advertising (COA). BBB Accredited businesses must meet the COA in order to maintain its BBB Accreditation. Most of the time, companies don’t even know an advertisement doesn’t meet standards. We are here to help prevent you from having problems with consumers and law enforcement regarding advertising practices. The main thing to remember is to always respond to the Ad Challenge. If the ad is determined to not meet the Code of Advertising, we will do everything we can to help you come into compliance.
If you haven’t reviewed the Code of Advertising in while, please click here. Just so you know, each year our BBB reviews each of its Accredited Business’ websites to ensure they meet our standards. We also review local newspapers, television, and radio advertisements. If you would like to send us your marketing materials for review prior to releasing them, we would be happy to assist.
Here are some basic Code of Advertisement principles:
1. The primary responsibility for truthful and non-deceptive advertising rests with the advertiser. Advertisers should be prepared to substantiate any claims or offers made before publication or broadcast and, upon request, present such substantiation promptly to the advertising medium or the Better Business Bureau.
2. Advertisements which are untrue, misleading, deceptive, fraudulent, falsely disparaging of competitors, or are insincere offers to sell, shall not be used.
3. An advertisement as a whole may be misleading although every sentence separately is considered literally true. Misrepresentation may result not only from direct statements but by omitting or obscuring a material fact.