The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released the agenda and panelists for the lead generation workshop it will be hosting on Oct. 30, 2015, in Washington, D.C. The workshop will bring together industry representatives, consumer advocates and government regulators to discuss relevant topics surrounding lead generation.
The workshop will include an introduction to lead generation as well as a variety of case studies on how lead generation is specifically used in the lending industry and in education. It will also feature an overview on consumer protection issues raised by the practice and the legal landscape, including the applicability of the FTC Act and other legal principles. Finally, the workshop will discuss steps both industry members and regulators can take to better protect consumers, and information and strategies for improving consumer understanding of lead generation and avoiding problematic practices.
The panels will be moderated by FTC representatives and include representatives from the U.S. Department of Education, industry, consumer groups and state attorney general offices. Notably, no representatives from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are scheduled for any of the panels.
As many know, lead generation is the practice of identifying or cultivating consumer interest in a product or service, and distributing this information to third parties. For example, as consumers search the Internet for all kinds of goods and services, they may express interest in or make an inquiry regarding specific products or services, such as educational programs, mortgages or small-dollar loans, by submitting their personal information online. These consumer “leads” sometimes contain sensitive personal and financial information that may travel through multiple online marketing entities before connecting with the desired businesses. The workshop will explore the consumer protection issues raised by the practices of the lead generation industry, and what consumers and businesses should know and do to address them.
The event will be held at Constitution Center, 400 7th St SWM Washington, D.C. 20024. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. and the workshop begins with a welcome by FTC attorney in the Division of Financial Practices Katherine Worthman followed by opening remarks by FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Jessica Rich. The workshop will wrap up at 3:45 p.m. with closing remarks by Malini Mithal, the acting association director of the FTC Division of Financial Practices.
Additionally, RESPA News will be hosting a webinar on lead generation which will take place Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 2:00-3:15 p.m. The webinar will feature Marx Sterbcow, managing attorney at Sterbcow Law Group LLC, and James Milano, member at Weiner Brodsky Kider PC, who will train participants on regulations governing the lead generation industry. Be sure to register!