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We are sharing the key takeaways from the highly-rated CE course, Mastering the SEC Marketing Rule: What Every Investment Adviser Rep Needs to Know in 2025, hosted by the Financial Experts Network and featuring Michelle Atlas-Quinn, J.D., from AdvisorLaw.
The SEC Marketing Rule has fundamentally changed how advisors can communicate, consolidating previous advertising and cash solicitation rules into a single, comprehensive framework that affects virtually all communications—from social media to one-on-one pitches.
Key Takeaways for IARs:
- The New "Advertisement": The definition is broad, covering any communication offering services to more than one person, including certain one-on-one communications if they involve hypothetical performance data.
- Performance Must Be Net: All performance presentations must be shown net of fees, or both gross and net with equal prominence. Hypothetical performance requires specific policies, procedures, and relevant disclosures.
- Social Media & Adoption: You are responsible for the content you "adopt" or "entangle" yourself with (e.g., likes, shares, reposts). All social media content must be archived for at least five years.
- Testimonials & Endorsements: Use is allowed, but strict disclosures regarding client status, compensation, and material conflicts are mandatory.
The complexity of the new rule, combined with recent SEC enforcement actions, means firms must immediately audit marketing materials, train staff, and document everything to avoid significant fines and censure.
Watch the full CE Course below: