Country Chatter

Luke Bryan in Trouble with the FTC

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It was a simple Instagram post, Country star Luke Bryan is pictured holding a fishing rod in a Cabela’s store with the caption, “Which one should I get? #HFE.”

It seems harmless enough, but the image, shared on Bryan’s official Instagram feed and which since has been removed, prompted the federal trade commission (FTC) to investigate whether or not the country star violated the federal agency’s guidelines for celebrity endorsements of a product. HFE is the name of Bryan’s clothing line carried by outdoor recreation outfitter Cabela’s, inspired by his single, “Huntin’ Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day.”

Bryan has has in the past tagged similar posts with #sponsor, in accordance with FTC guidelines. The guidelines require those posting are required to disclose if they have any connection or endorsement with a product or service. Unfortunately, on the post in question Bryan did not.

In April, the FTC sent letters to 45 celebrities, including Bryan, after they received complaints from the advocacy groups Public Citizen, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, and the Center for Digital Democracy, according to Billboard.

Concerned that Instagram and other social media “has become a platform for disguised advertising directed towards young consumers,” the groups have asked the federal agency to investigate and enforce laws relevant to “influencers” endorsing and advertising products through social media.

The letter sent to Luke Bryan was addressed “care of Julie Colbert at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment.”

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