National Advertising Division Recommends Clearer Disclosure of Affiliate Advertising Relationships for Renue by Science Dietary Supplements

New York, NY – May 25, 2023 –The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended disclosure of the affiliate relationships between Renue by Science, LLC and third-party websites promoting sales of its dietary supplements be modified. NAD also recommended that Renue by Science modify or discontinue certain challenged YouTube videos to disclose the advertiser’s relationship to the speaker consistent with the Federal Trade Commission’s Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

In a Fast-Track SWIFT challenge, IO Law LLC alleged that Renue by Science failed to properly disclose material connections in its influencer marketing and incentivized reviews. Fast-Track SWIFT is an expedited challenge process designed for single-issue advertising cases brought to NAD.

Renue by Science sells dietary supplements including those containing nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), quercetin, and resveratrol and markets those products on its website, affiliated editorial websites, and via YouTube videos published by affiliated endorsers.

Third-Party Websites

During the challenge, the Foodsecurity.org website, a third-party with whom Renue by Science has an affiliate relationship, was modified, which NAD found was sufficiently prominent, however NAD recommended that it be further modified to identify the advertiser (or other applicable unrelated brands) with an affiliate relationship to the website and to more clearly identify who is receiving the commissions, rather than using the singular pronoun “I.”

 

With respect to any other affiliated websites selling Renue by Science’s products, NAD recommended that the sites:

• Clearly and conspicuously disclose that the affiliates receive payments based on sales of Renue by Science’s products; and
• That such disclosures appear at the top of the site’s landing page, where they will be easy to observe wherever the advertiser’s products are promoted.

 

YouTube Videos

During the challenge, a Renue by Science employee voluntarily agreed to permanently discontinue a video on her personal YouTube page in which she discusses the benefits of NMN and her experience with NMN. Therefore, NAD did not review this video on its merits.

Regarding another YouTube video on the same employee’s page, NAD recommended that Renue by Science inform the employee of her obligation to clearly and conspicuously disclose in the video that she is an employee.

In its advertiser’s statement, Renue by Science stated that it “appreciates the opportunity to participate in NAD’s self-regulatory process,” and that it “has voluntarily complied with the NAD’s recommendations.”

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About BBB National Programs: 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 that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create a fairer playing field for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.

About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.