The Winners from the 2014 Cannes Lions

The 2014 Cannes Lion Ad Award Winners, it’s like the Oscars of advertising.

Flex-Able Hose

Seven Signs that Vemma Distributors Fared Worse in 2013

At the end of 2012, Vemma Nutrition Company is a privately held multi-level marketing company that sells energy drinks, nutritional beverages and weight management products. Vemma, which calls itself an…

Fake It Until You Make It

Learn how to spot fake reviews.

Instant Checkmate

Instant Checkmate advertises its “new controversial” website as a way for “anyone with a computer” to view arrest records and perform background checks on friends and family. But can they…

Supplements for Brain Bruises?

They don’t exist, warns FDA.

Shell Vacations Club

Shell Vacations Club is a timeshare vacation organization with property in 24 resorts in North America. But the group seems to leave customers disappointed after it fails to live up…

Instant Check Mate

We recently received this e-mail. Our Malware that sneaks onto your computer software prevents us from opening any of the links, but right off the bat it looks fishy. Here’s…

Athlete Twitter Pages

Bryce Harper, 20-year-old outfielder for the Washington Nationals and the 2012 Rookie of the Year in the National League, has already starred in ads for car insurance and workout gear.…

Costco at Center of False Advertising Suit Again

Michael Kors says company falsely advertised handbags.

Zombie Endorsements

Deceased actors brought back to star in advertisements.

Cash-Gifting Tables Scheme Under Scrutiny

Federal officials continue to investigate case in Conn.

These “Critics” Won’t Win Oscars for their Reviews

Some reviews come from questionable sources.

Consumers Helping to Hawk Products During Super Bowl

From cars to pizza, companies are increasingly finding ways to involve consumers in game day commercials.

Can you trust an online review?

In the fall of 2010, Todd Rutherford launched GettingBookReviews.com, a marketing service for self-published authors that provided book reviews for cash. Soon, he was making $28,000 a month writing reviews,…

Product Placement

Products that pop up in movies and television shows are often there for specific advertising reasons.

Don’t Get Snagged in a Work-At-Home Scam

Dreaming of a job where you can work and be home with the kids?  Yearning to stay in your pajamas while you log in some hours?  Then ads for work-at-home…

Multi-Level Marketing v. Pyramid Schemes

Multi-level marketing (Multilevel Marketing – a way of distributing products or services in which the distributors earn income from their own retail sales and from retail sales made by their…

MyPillow gets rude awakening with $1M suit settlement

John Ewoldt, StarTribune

MyPillow fight with watchdog

C.J., StarTribune