Blue Man Group Television Ad Referred to FTC
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/1/2007
The
Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) of the Better Business
Bureau has concerns about a TV ad
for a musical toy from Manley, concerns is suggests have been ignored by the manufacturer/advertiser.
for a musical toy from Manley, concerns is suggests have been ignored by the manufacturer/advertiser.
The toy is the Blue Man Group Music Station Percussion Tubes and
Keyboard Experience, which sounds
like the name of a 70's band but is actually a combination keyboard and percussion instrument.
like the name of a 70's band but is actually a combination keyboard and percussion instrument.
CARU's issue with the ad was that the disclosure that the percussion
tubes and keyboard were sold separately
was too small. They also had complaints that the disclaimer regarding that revealed the MP3 player shown in
the ad was not included was also "at the bottom of the screen in very small type."
was too small. They also had complaints that the disclaimer regarding that revealed the MP3 player shown in
the ad was not included was also "at the bottom of the screen in very small type."
CARU said it referred the ad to the FTC only after the company did
not provide a "substantive response to the
initial inquiry or a follow-up letter
initial inquiry or a follow-up letter