• Sunday, November 8, 2009
  • Print

Liquor Companies May Face Questions About College-Related Ads

The Federal Trade Commission may have some important questions about the alcohol-beverage industry’s advertising presence on college campuses. According to a notice in Tuesday’s Federal Register, the agency is seeking public comment on a plan to ask beer, wine, and liquor companies a series of questions about their advertising practices, their compliance with ad codes, and what they spend their sales and marketing budgets on.

This is the second round of public comments on the proposed battery of questioning. The first round drew 1,299 comments, nearly all of them in support of the plan. Some respondents suggested that the commission ask the alcohol companies about their sponsorship of several college-related events.

One respondent, the National Association of Attorneys General’s Youth Access to Alcohol Committee, said the agency should seek information about “sports-related and college sports-related advertising and marketing (including telecasts, sponsorships, local print and promotional expenditures, and stadium signage)” as well as “college marketing and promotional activities and expenditures (including spring-break promotions in the U.S. and at popular off-shore spring-break destinations).”

Public comments are due by November 24.

  • Print