In a landmark bout of activity, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced last month that it is, in fact, watching celebrities, athletes, and other influencers on Instagram. According to a statement from the government agency, after reviewing Instagram posts by celebrities and influencers, its staff sent out more than 90 letters reminding influencers and marketers that they must clearly and conspicuously disclose their relationships when promoting or endorsing products through social media.
While the list was previously unreleased, the National Law Journal got its hand on the letters (which were viewed by TFL) by way of a Freedom of Information Act request, and the companies/individuals on the receiving end of these warning letters range from Mark King, President, Adidas Group North America, Bryan Cryder, President of YSL North America, and John Galactic, President & COO, Chanel, to Naomi Campbell, Riccardo Pozzoli co-founder of the Chiara Ferragni Collection, Scott Disick, Emily Ratajkowski, and Victoria Beckham.
The list also includes, in part:
Mark King (President, Adidas Group North America), Jeremy Joseph (President & General Counsel, Buscemi), John Galantic (President & COO, Chanel) citing a post from Kristin Cavallari, Riccardo Pozzoli (co-founder, Chiara Ferragni Collection) in connection with Ferragni’s posts, Albert Bitton (co-founder, The Clean Program) for a post from Naomi Campbell, Nigel Travis (CEO, Dunkin’ Donuts) for a post by Heidi Klum, Josie Maran for a post by Behati Prinsloo, Harold Lancer MD for a post by Victoria Beckham, Maria Hatzistefanis (CEO, Rodial Limited) citing posts from Emily Ratajkowski and actress Ashley Benson, Jake Munday (Co-owner, Pearly Whites Australia) for a post from Scott Disick, Cheryl Bachelder (CEO, Popeyes) citing a post from Kourtney Kardashian, Jay Piccola (President, Puma North America) in connection with posts from Zendaya and Bella Thorne, and Bryan Cryder (President, YSL North America) for a post by Vanessa Lachey, among others.
Individual influencers/celebrities who received letters include Jen Selter, P Diddy, Pretty Little Liars actresses Shay Mitchell, Ashley Benson, and Lucy Hale; Ciara, Dorothy Wang, Kristin Cavallari, Naomi Campbell, Guiliana Rancic, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, Rach Parcell, Snooki, Amber Rose, Vanessa Hudgens, Allen Iverson, Caroline Manzo, Behati Prinsloo, Victoria Beckham, Nina Adgal, Emily Ratajkowski, Scott Disick, Lindsey Lohan, Bella Thorne, Zendaya, Sophia Bush, Lisa Rinna, and Jennifer Lopez, among others.
Note: None of the Kardashian/Jenners were on the receving end of letters, despite Truth in Advertising submitting a complaint regarding their Instagram advertising to the FTC this past summer.
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