Press Release
Attorney General Announces Port Promotions Settlement
February 4, 2013
Juneau, Alaska - The State of Alaska, Onboard Media Inc. (OBM), Royal Media Promotions, Inc. (RMP), and Panoff Publishing Company (PPI) reached a settlement today regarding the port shopping programs OBM, RMP and PPI conduct onboard cruise ships that visit ports in Alaska.
"We express appreciation to Onboard Media, Royal Media, and Panoff Publishing for their cooperation, and for working with the state to ensure that ethical and fair business practices are followed," Attorney General Michael Geraghty said.
Among other terms in the settlement, OBM, RMP and PPI have agreed to make clear to passengers that retail stores pay advertising fees and sales commissions as part of the onboard promotion. OBM, RMP and PPI also agreed to enhance oversight of the contractors they hire to hold shopping presentations on shipboard, and to ensure local businesses that are not part of the shopping promotion program will not be disparaged.
For more information, please contact Assistant Attorney General Cynthia Drinkwater at (907) 269-5200.
- State of Alaska v. Panoff Publishing, Inc., et al Consent Judgment - PDF(184K)
- State of Alaska v. Royal Media Partners, LLC Consent Judgment - PDF(184K)
- State of Alaska v. Onboard Media Inc. Consent Judgment - PDF(2.21M)
July 2014 Update
The parties to the port promotions settlement agreed to certain changes to the consent judgments. The changes include enhanced disclosures about fees and commissions, and a ban on personal endorsements or testimonials except when certain conditions are met.
- SOA v. Onboard Media, Inc., et al Stipulation - PDF(111K)
# # #
Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.