The Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) and the Toy Industry Association (TIA) have teamed up to bring parents an updated Parent's Guide to Advertising and children. This free guide helps parents understand and discuss advertising when it comes to their children. It provides strategies to teach kids about the purpose of advertising, how to differentiate between different types of marketing as well as how to identify it. To download a free copy to help teach your children about advertising visit TIA's website by clicking here .

CARU's annual conference went off without a hitch last week. Expert panelists explored challenging issues facing the children's marketing and advertising industry. The discussions ranged from the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act's impact on mobile and smart toy technologies to social media to drafting and negotiating strategies when working with children's properties.  CARU was thrilled to host Federal Trade Commissioner, Terrell McSweeny for a fireside chat with Lee Peeler as the keynote speaker. The Commissioner discussed her opinions about the FTC's position on many issues relating to children's marketing and also weighed in about concerns prompted by European Court of Justice's recommendation that the safe harbor agreement that governs data between the U.S. and EU should be struck down.  We had a full house filled with some of the best and the brightest in the business. We'll be back again next year with another great progr