Infomercial Producer Blog – DRTV Advertising News and Views

I am all for protecting the consumer, but for DRTV advertisers, and more and more main stream advertisers, the overarching and draconian over-regulation that we have experienced for the past several years at the hands of the current FTC Chairman has rendered many legitimate advertisers unable to say what their products or services do without risk of regulatory action.

I recently read that FTC Chairman, Jon Leibowitz, is planning to step down before the end of the year. Of course there is still time for him to file his suit against Google, fine more marketers for their claims,  and in general ride ripshod over decent folks who are attempting to promote their products and services to the American people.

I understand that there needs to be some federal oversight and consumer protection, but this FTC has proven to be an overly punitive one.  Is it coincidence that upon this Chairman’s appointment by President Obama in March of 2009, there has been a greater exodus of marketers from the DRTV space?

One can only hope that whoever gets elected in November will offer up an FTC Chairman who is not an enemy of business.  If Thomas Jefferson or Thomas Edison were inventors today, few of their products would ever have seen the light of day because they would not have been allowed to say or show what their inventions did or how they could help every day lives.  It is really a shame that the government seems to blockade innovation at every turn.  Entrepreneurs and inventors are and have been the lifeblood of America. But small business does not have the deep pockets of  pharma companies to fight against FTC actions so it’s likely that many products that could really help people never launch due to fear and lack of funds.

I stand and applaud product  creators who have the vision, creativity and courage to bring their products to market despite this terrible climate of the past few years. It is a frightening and lonely ride for many of these folks.

So, Mr. Leibowitz, I was very happy to read that you are stepping down. I just wish you had done so much sooner. Maybe now we can experience a better and healthier atmosphere because goodness knows we need it.