Business ProfileforiHeartMedia, Inc.

The following describes a pending government action that has been resolved by either a settlement or a decision by a court or administrative agency.  If the matter is being appealed, it will be noted below.

In November, 2022 the Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint against iHeartMedia, Inc. and Google, LLC.  The complaint alleges Google paid iHeartMedia more than $2.6 million to record and broadcast advertisements featuring Radio Personalities endorsing the Google Pixel 4 smartphone. Some of the radio personalities at different stations in ten markets recorded advertisements for the Pixel 4 using first-person language identical or substantially similar to scripts provided by Google.  The Radio Personalities did not own or regularly use a Pixel 4 and had not used a Pixel 4 to take pictures at night.

On February 8, 2023, iHeartMedia, Inc. entered into a decision and order with The Federal Trade Commission. It was ordered iHeartMedia, Inc. and its offices, agents, employees, and attorneys and all other persons in active concert or participation with them must not make any misrepresentations, expressly or by implication: That an endorser has owned or used the product or service; or About an endorser's experience with the product or service.  

It was further ordered that iHeartMedia, Inc. fully cooperate with representatives of the Commission in any investigation or case related to or associated with the transactions or occurrences that are subject of the complaint. It was further ordered acknowledgement of receipt of the Order, submit a compliance report 180 days after the issuance date and each year thereafter, for 10 years that includes identification of primary physical, postal, and email address and telephone number, identify all of respondent's businesses by all of their names, telephone numbers and physical, postal, email and Internet addresses; describe the activities of each business, including the goods and services offered, and the means of advertising, marketing and sales; describe in detail whether and how respondent is in compliance with each provision of the Order and provide a copy of each acknowledgment.  It was further ordered a compliance notice, sworn under penalty of perjury, within 14 days of any change in; any designated point of contact, or structure of respondent or any entity that Respondent has any ownership interest in or controls directly or indirectly that may affect compliance obligations arising under this Order.  It was further ordered respondent must submit notice of the filing of any bankruptcy petition, insolvency proceeding or similar proceeding by or against Respondent within 14 days of its filing.   

It was further ordered that iHeartMedia, Inc must create certain records for 10 years after the issuance date of the Order, and retain each such record for 5 years, unless otherwise specified. Specifically, for any business that iHeartMedia, Inc. is a majority owner or controls directly or indirectly, must create and retain accounting, personnel, consumer and other complaints concerning the subject matter of this Order, Copies of all materials used to train or otherwise educate any of its principals, officers, directors, managers, employees, agents or representatives regarding policies and records reflecting which individual received training or education materials.  

For more details go to https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/2023092-google-llc-iheartmedia-inc-matter