Advertising regulatory body appoints Phyllis Marcus as Vice President of National Advertising Division
McLean, VA – Advertising Veteran Phyllis Hurwitz Marcus appointed to Vice President of BBB National Programs' National Advertising Division
Phyllis Hurwitz Marcus, a seasoned advertising professional with extensive Federal Trade Commission (FTC) experience, has been named Vice President of BBB National Programs' National Advertising Division (NAD). The appointment was announced by Eric D. Reicin, President and CEO of BBB National Programs.
In her new role, effective immediately, Marcus will lead a team of attorneys and professionals at NAD, aiming to uphold high standards of truth and accuracy in national advertising across all media types. This is achieved by reviewing challenges to truth-in-advertising from businesses, trade associations, consumers, or on NAD's own initiative.
Established in 1971, NAD and its appeal body, the National Advertising Review Board (NARB), work to build consumer trust in advertising and support fair competition in the marketplace. Over the years, these bodies have successfully removed thousands of misleading advertising claims from the marketplace.
Reicin expressed his delight at welcoming Marcus, stating, "Her distinguished career as a leader in advertising and privacy law will undoubtedly lift our program to even greater impact, especially during this unique era of opportunity for industry self-regulation."
Marcus, recognized as a leader in advertising law, joins BBB National Programs from Hunton Andrews Kurth, LLP, where she led the firm's Advertising Compliance and Counseling team. She focuses on ensuring clients' advertising meets their needs, from the initial development of a claim to its ultimate defense in the marketplace. During her tenure, she also led the Children's Privacy practice at Hunton.
As a key figure in NAD, Marcus will guide the division's work maintaining truth in advertising. Speaking about her new role, she said, "Advertising's purpose is to engage consumers, helping them make informed purchasing choices, but it can also cross the line and tilt away from fair competition towards deception. NAD is the first line of defense in applying clear advertising standards and promoting fair competition in the marketplace."
Prior to joining Hunton in 2015, Marcus spent 17 years at the FTC, including serving as Chief of Staff for Advertising Practices and leader of the FTC's children's privacy regulatory and enforcement program. She oversaw the agency's advertising workload, led investigations into deceptive health and safety claims, product endorsements, and disclosures, and handled congressional testimony regarding FTC advertising initiatives.
BBB National Programs, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than a dozen globally recognized programs. NAD, one of these programs, provides third-party accountability and dispute resolution services, ensuring truthful advertising practices and fostering fair competition among businesses.
To learn more about the National Advertising Division, please visit their website.
- Phyllis Hurwitz Marcus, with her extensive experience in advertising, privacy law, and regulation at the Federal Trade Commission, will leverage her expertise in data privacy and technology to uphold truth and accuracy in advertising, as she leads the BBB National Programs' National Advertising Division team.
- As the Vice President of BBB National Programs' National Advertising Division, Phyllis Hurwitz Marcus will use her deep understanding of the advertising industry, particularly in areas such as finance, business, and technology, to ensure fair competition and promote consumer trust in advertising across all media types.
