In a letter dated September 29, 2009 from FTC Chairman Jon Liebowitz, the FTC agreed to investigate the marketing plans for several films rated PG-13 for violent content.

Citing thousands of child-targeted promotions for a slew of violent summer blockbusters, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood sent a letter on June 24, 2009 to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, urging the FTC to to ensure that PG-13 movies are not marketed to young children.

In 2008, in response to a complaint by CCFC, the FTC urged the Motion Picture Association of America to develop an “explicit policy, incorporating objective criteria” to “ensure that PG-13 movies are not marketed in a manner inconsistent with their rating,” but 16 months later, children's television stations continue to barrage young viewers with ads promoting violent PG-13 movies and their related merchandise.

Read the press release>

Read CCFC's Petition to the FTC>

G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra | Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen | Terminator Salvation | Star Trek | X-Men Origins: Wolverine

GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Release Date: August 7, 2009

MPAA Rating: PG-13

MPAA Rating Reason: Rated PG-13 for strong sequences of action violence and mayhem throughout.

Fast Food Promotional Partner: Burger King

Television Advertising:

Related Merchandise: 75 movie-related toys being sold for children as young as 2.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Release Date: June 24, 2009

MPAA Rating: PG-13

MPAA Rating Reason: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, language, some crude and sexual material, and brief drug material.

Fast Food Promotional Partner: Burger King

Television Advertising:

Related Merchandise: 88 movie-related toys being sold for children as young as 2.

Terminator Salvation

Release Date: May 21, 2009

MPAA Rating: PG-13

MPAA Rating Reason: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and language.

Television Advertising:

Related Merchandise: 22 movie-related toys being sold for children as young as 2.

Star Trek

Release Date: May 8, 2009

MPAA Rating: PG-13

MPAA Rating Reason: Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence, and brief sexual content.

Fast-Food Promotional Partner: Burger King

Television Advertising:

Related Merchandise: 82 movie-related toys being sold for children as young as 4.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Release Date: May 1, 2009

MPAA Rating: PG-13

MPAA Rating Reason: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and some partial nudity.

Television Advertising:

Related Merchandise: 7 movie-related items including action figures, a backpack, skateboard, and helmet being sold for children as young as 4.