Announced Actions for January 13, 1999

Commission action regarding applications for approval: Following a public comment period, the Commission has ruled on an application for approval of a transaction from the following:

• LandAmerica's application to divest seven title plants in Florida, Missouri, and Michigan was approved by the Commission. The divestitures were required as part of a consent order with LandAmerica, formerly Lawyers Title Corporation. The Commission vote to approve the divestitures was 4-0. (See news releases dated October 30, 1998; September 4, 1998; June 5, 1998; May 27, 1998; February 24, 1998; Docket No. C-3808. Staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, 202-326-2526.)

Consent agreements given final approval: Following a public comment period, the Commission has made final consent agreements with the following entities. The Commission action makes the consent orders binding on the respondents.

The Commission has voted to approve consent agreements with Chrysler, its national advertising agency, Bozell Worldwide Inc., and Martin Advertising, Inc., a regional advertising agency for General Motors' dealerships and dealer associations. The consent agreements prohibit the companies from disseminating deceptive lease and/or credit advertising and require them to provide the cost information in ads mandated by the Consumer Leasing Act and/or the Truth in Lending Act. Under the orders, all required disclosures also must be made "clearly and conspicuously" -- that is, in a manner that is readable (or audible) and understandable to a reasonable consumer. The Commission votes to make the consent orders final were 4-0. (See news release dated October 15, 1998; Docket Nos. Chrysler, C-3847; Martin, C-3846; Bozell, C-3845; Staff contact is David Medine, 202-326-3224.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this FYI are available from the FTC's web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; 202-FTC-HELP (202-382-4357); TDD for the hearing impaired 1-866-653-4261. To find out the latest news as it is announced, call the FTC NewsPhone recording at 202-326-2710.