News & Views | 4A's

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NYC Delays Enforcement of Its Law Regulating the Use of Automated Employment Screening Tools

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) recently announced that it will postpone enforcement of its new law (Local Law 144) intended to regulate the use of automated employment decision tools until April 15, 2023. Local Law 144 would require employers to conduct bias audits on automated employment decision tools, including […]

FTC Explores “Junk Fees” Rulemaking |

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on a potential rule prohibiting “junk fees” and related practices via a new advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) published in the Federal Register on November 8.  The new rule has the potential to dramatically change how fees are communicated to consumers in advertising, impacting nearly all […]

FTC Seeks Public Comment on Updates to its “Green Guides” for Use of Environmental Advertising Claims

On December 14, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it is seeking public comment on potential updates and changes to the Green Guides for the Use of Environmental Claims. The Commission’s Green Guides help marketers avoid making environmental marketing claims that are unfair or deceptive under Section 5 of the FTC Act. The […]

Government Relations – December 2022 Newsletter |

With 2022 almost coming to a close, the end-of-year chaos and impacts of procrastination that routinely affect Congress and the Administration this time of year are in full swing. The details are still scant on what is included in Congress’ announced FY 2023 $1.7 trillion spending bill deal. The results of the 2022 Midterm Elections […]

HHS Issues Far-Reaching Guidance For Online Tracking Technologies Under HIPAA |

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a new guidance bulletin regarding the use of online tracking technologies (i.e. cookies, web beacons and pixels) by covered entities and business associates under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Under 45 CFR 160.103, […]

4A’S EXPANDS HEALTHCARE AND WELLNESS CAPABILITIES BY ACQUIRING THE COALITION FOR HEALTHCARE COMMUNICATION 

NEW YORK, December 14, 2022 —  The American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s), the leading U.S.-based advertising trade association serving more than 600+ members nationwide, today announced the acquisition of the Coalition for Healthcare Communication (CHC).  Founded in 1993, the Coalition for Healthcare Communication (CHC) promotes the free exchange of accurate, credible, and scientifically sound […]

4A’s Voices Advertising Agency Concerns Over Draft Federal Independent Contractor Rule

On December 13, 2022, the 4A’s submitted written comments to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) regarding its proposed rule to revise its analysis for determining employee or independent contractor (IC) classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). 4A’s specific written comments supplemented other general written comments filed as part of our membership in […]

How agencies can recession-proof growth with health and wellness marketing

As economic uncertainty looms, it is an opportune time to explore the wellness and non-regulated healthcare markets, especially given significant growth potential and low barriers for entry. While recessions are a normal part of any dynamic economy, it is natural to be concerned in this time of uncertainty exacerbated by the continuing effects of the […]

2022 in Retrospect: Did Adland Match Its Sustainability Promises

LBB’s Zoe Antonov spoke to experts across the industry to find out what progress has been made in regards to agencies and brands’ commitments to the environment, as well as what 2023 holds   “Meeting global climate goals will require rapid transformation of societies. Incremental change is no longer an option. Wide-ranging, large-scale and systemic […]

​​Sutton’s law: navigating the messy politics of agencies and fossil fuel clients

When it comes to working with fossil fuel businesses, the tide is turning in the world of advertising, writes the 4A’s executive vice-president of government relations and sustainability Alison Pepper. Sutton’s Law is the medical field’s shorthand for looking to the obvious when attempting to make a diagnosis (a concept also expressed in the saying, […]

Federal Government Proposes Rule Requiring Major Federal Contractors to Disclose Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Establish Science-Based Emissions Reduction Targets

As part of the recent COP-27 climate summit last month in Egypt, President Biden announced an initiative with significant implications for major federal contractors. Under this proposal, the United States would become the first country to require major government suppliers and contractors to set science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with the Paris Agreement.  It would […]

4A’s Submits Comments to FTC’s Initial Data Privacy Rulemaking |

On November 21, the 4A’s submitted a written comment letter to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) initial rulemaking on consumer data privacy. The 4A’s written comments focused on 1) pushing back against the FTC’s preconceived notion that all commercial data practices (even by responsible commercial entities that promote consumer choice) are “commercial surveillance;” 2) the […]