The National Advertising Division’s 2025 Annual Conference covered several topics in advertising law, with two keynote presentations delivered by FTC Commissioner Mark Meador and FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Chris Mufarrige garnering special interest. Commissioner Meador and Mr. Mufarrige discussed enforcement priorities for the FTC’s consumer protection agenda, indicating the agency will adhere closely to two principles, everyday economic issues that affect the typical American family’s pocketbook and child/teen safety. Mr. Mufarrige also highlighted the importance of economic analysis and empirical evidence in the Bureau’s evaluation of liability for deception, unfairness, and other rule violations outside the bounds of Section 5.
Managing Director Andrew Stivers and Director Mike LeGower describe two examples of the FTC priorities in their article “Increased Emphasis on Economic Analysis for Consumer Protection Matters at the FTC,” published by the Consumer Protection Committee of the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Section. The article discusses drip or partitioned pricing and negative option marketing, exploring potential angles from which economic and empirical research could be used to bolster one’s case.