Cone Disclosure Policy for Endorsements and Testimonials, Pre-packaged News and Blogger Relations

Cone’s operations are guided by the Code of Professional Standards for the practice of public relations as adopted by the Public Relations Society of America.

Disclosure of Information:

• Be honest and accurate in all communications.
• Act promptly to correct erroneous communications for which the member is responsible.
• Investigate the truthfulness and accuracy of information released on behalf of those represented.
• Reveal the sponsors for causes and interests represented.
• Disclose financial interest (such as stock ownership) in a client's organization.
• Avoid deceptive practices

Endorsements & Testimonials

In order to comply with the FTC regulations regarding endorsements and testimonials, when pitching media Cone employees will fully disclose relationships between third-party spokespersons, experts or organizations and our clients’ companies or brands when payment or promise of compensation is provided. Cone will also encourage third-party spokespeople, experts or organizations to publically disclose relationships. Cone employees will document correspondence, when possible. Should Cone employees note a failure to appropriately disclose relationship details, they will flag and report the endorsement to the Executive Leadership Team.

Pre-packaged News

In order to comply with FCC regulations regarding pre-packaged news, Cone employees will clearly disclose the client name, spokesperson and his/her relationship to the client both audibly and visually, where applicable, in all VNRs and ANRs or in the byline or body of the article in all MAT releases and other pre-packaged news content. Cone will also send notice of FCC regulations concerning disclosure of pre-packaged news, and stress compliance, to all media choosing to publish news content. Cone employees will document correspondence, when possible. Should Cone employees note a failure to appropriately disclose company or brand details, they will flag and report the endorsement to the Executive Leadership Team.

Blogger Relations

In order to comply with FTC regulations regarding endorsements and testimonials, including those made by bloggers, Cone employees, in all outreach to bloggers, will clearly communicate the blogger’s responsibility to disclose relationships with clients in his/her posted content and be transparent across all media. The disclosure will also provide a link or direct reference to Cone’s policy on blogger relations. Cone employees will document correspondence, when possible. If a blogger should fail to properly disclose the relationship, Cone employees will flag and report the content to the Executive Leadership Team.