Montana AG Bullock Reminds Advertisers to Take a Personal Approach:

CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Montana's Attorney General, Steve Bullock, told an audience at the Promotion Marketing Association's annual Marketing Law Conference in Chicago to "keep things personal" when designing promotions and marketing practices.  The conference, operated by the 100-year-old PMA, brings together the nation's leading corporations, law firms, advertising agencies, media companies and service providers to discuss the rapidly evolving issues surrounding promotion and advertising laws, regulations, and government policies.

"Remember who the AG offices are working to protect and keep a local mindset," he said.  "Always be thinking whether a practice is deceptive or whether it is fair."

Mr. Bullock, who also serves as Co-Chair for the National Association of Attorneys General, said, "Even if your customers are spread across the states, act like you're still working in a town of 900.  Remember that the people coming to the AG offices that were deceived by problematic marketing practices are somebody's grandmother, somebody's neighbor or somebody's family member."  

While he explained the NAAG's mandate to assist in communications between Attorneys General, he characterized an Attorney General's role as "protecting their states and communities."  He also made it clear that, with the help of the NAAG, multi-state actions often arise.  "Policy and politics are local," said Mr. Bullock, "but if it's happening in Montana, it's probably happening elsewhere.  Multistate actions can be beneficial for the consumers as well as you and your business."

In the end, he reminded the audience why their companies should stop to ask if a practice is fair or deceptive at the outset.  "By weeding out and exposing businesses that don't play by the rules, we benefit all those businesses who act fairly, make good products and try to keep customers happy."

About the PMA

Founded in 1911, the New York based PMA is the national non-profit trade association dedicated to the industry of marketing disciplines that motivate behavior, activate response and build brands.  Representing $750 billion in sales, these disciplines include promotion marketing, digital marketing, shopper/retailer marketing, sponsorship and experiential marketing.  The organization's membership is comprised of Fortune 500 companies, top marketing agencies, law firms, retailers, service providers and academia, representing thousands of brands worldwide.  

SOURCE PMA