Reality Check: TINA.org Calls on FTC to Address Virtual Influencers

Why the FTC should consider virtual influencers as it reviews its Endorsement Guides.

Social Media Influencers

TINA.org found social media influencers ignored FTC warnings and continued promoting brands without proper disclosures.

TINA’s Take: FTC Lets ‘Detox Tea’ Influencers Off with a Warning

…for now.

Influencers Defy FTC Rules on Disclosure Despite Warnings

TINA.org finds 95 percent of social media influencers previously put on notice by the FTC breaking the law.

TINA.org Files Complaint against Diageo Regarding Its Ciroc Influencers

TINA.org finds more than 1,700 undisclosed alcohol ads published on Instagram by 50 Ciroc influencers.

TINA.org’s Social Media Influencers Actions

A review of TINA.org’s work exposing deceptive marketing tactics by social media influencers.

Lord of the Influencers

FTC casts shadow on Warner Brothers’ Mordor video game marketing.

FTC Reminder: Influencers Must Divulge Ads

Action comes after consumer groups alert agency to more than 100 posts by celebs.

Roblox Brand Avatar Influencers

During its investigation of Roblox, TINA.org compiled a sampling of more than 20 avatar influencers (i.e., Roblox avatars created by social media influencers) failing to disclose their material connections to…

Ad or Not? Influencers Invade Coachella

Brands and their paid endorsers cash in at the music festival, sans disclosure.

Virtual Influencers Database

A 2019-2020 TINA.org investigation into the emerging use of virtual influencers in social media marketing has catalogued a sampling* of 28 virtual influencers ranging from the human-like to the overtly…

Social media influencers are changing the way companies market their products

Jo Ling Kent, Today

FTC ‘educating’ influencers like J.Lo and Lindsay Lohan

Richard Johnson, Page Six

Warner Brothers

TINA.org investigated Warner Brothers’s use of online influencers to promote video games and found that the company was violating an FTC Order that barred it from misrepresenting sponsored content as the…

FTC Punishes ‘Detox’ Tea Maker Teami, With a Slap on the Wrist for Influencers Including Cardi B

Scott Nover, ADWEEK

Brands Are Building Their Own Virtual Influencers. Are Their Posts Legal?

Jesselyn Cook, HUFFPOST

Federal Trade Commission Pens Letters Admonishing Instagram Influencers

Emma Sarran Webster, Teen Vogue

FTC Puts Influencers on Notice for Potential Disclosure Violations

Alexandra Steigrad, WWD

Cîroc

TINA.org found numerous influencers deceptively promoting Diageo’s Cîroc brand on Instagram.

Wizkid (Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun)