ERSP Reviews Advertising for Springbak Springsoles; Marketer Discontinues, Modifies Certain Claims

New York, NY – Oct. 6, 2011 – The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program (ERSP) has determined that Springbak can support certain claims for the company’s “Springsoles.” The marketer agreed to voluntarily modify other claims as recommended by ERSP.

ERSP, the electronic direct-response industry’s self-regulatory forum, is administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) with policy oversight by the National Advertising Review Council (NARC).

The marketer’s advertising came to ERSP’s attention pursuant to its ongoing monitoring program.

ERSP reviewed online and broadcast advertising for Springsoles and identified several claims for review, including:

·        “Gain 5.5% Longer Stride Length,” “Shorten Foot Plant Time," and “Quicker Stride Frequency”

·        “Springbak scientifically cushion your feet upon impact. The patented materials give you a spring effect that excels and pushes you up to run faster, jump higher, and with the molecular bonding, actually amplifies your strength and performance.” and “Guaranteed to help ease your feet and joint pain, improve your stability, and increase your athletic performance.”

·        “We got to the state championships for the first time without one injury and I know for sure it was Springbak.” and “We strength tested 21 of our track athletes. They were able to do 35% more clap push-ups wearing the Springbak® Springsoles, despite fatigue and the breakdown of lactic acid in their arms and shoulders from the first trial.” [Dave Houle]

·        “I was able to do just one repetition performing an overhead press with a 55 lb. dumbbell. After resting 3 minutes I pulled off the same 55 lb. dumbbell and promptly did eight overhead presses while using the Springbak® Springsoles.” [E.J. Cafaro]

As support for the performance claims at issue, Springbak submitted a variety of studies conducted by several college coaches. However, ERSP found many of the studies to be inadequate support for the claims as they were conducted on a small sample of subjects with little to no control parameters or statistical significance. Although the testing did provide a reasonable basis for the claim that consumers will “run faster,” ERSP recommended that Springbak discontinue health and safety (e.g., “…help ease your feet and joint pain”) and establishment claims.

A number of the testimonials featured in the advertising make several representative and qualified claims. Following a review of the evidence, ERSP determined that the information submitted by Springbak could not adequately support the claims in question and that the results stated in the testimonials were not demonstrated to be “typically expected by consumers.” Thus, ERSP recommended that the claims be modified or discontinued.

The company, in its marketer’s statement, said it “…feels ERSP has been extremely fair in its assessments and suggestions. The suggestions have been implemented on the Springbak website. We look forward to working with ERSP in the future.”