2013 has been an exciting and productive year for ERSP. In addition to its ongoing monitoring program of direct response advertising, ERSP continued to work on and expand its Telemarketing Review Program. 

In February, ERSP conducted an informational webinar about the program. ERSP staff have also spoken at numerous industry events, including ERA Great Ideas Summit in Miami, ERA European Conference in Rome, the Government Affairs Fly-In in Washington, D.C., ERA D2C Convention in Las Vegas, and at the ERSP Summit in New York City.

Over the past 12 months, through both competitor challenges and its own monitoring program, ERSP has reviewed a variety of different product types, ranging from dietary supplements to OTC medical devices. ERSP continues to monitor and review wealth creation products, which has been a hot button issue for the FTC. 

In 2014, ERSP hopes to continue to expand its offerings to direct response marketers, and provide ongoing guidance to its Telemarketing Participants. We will also be celebrating ERSP’s 10-year anniversary with a conference that will bring together industry professionals. 

Thank you for your support of self-regulation and Happy New Year!

Peter Marinello is director of ERSP and vice president of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.