Morano asks whether influencer spending creates a Local Law 83 loophole

Last question.

Your testimony repeatedly celebrates the city's commitment to spending 50% of advertising dollars with ethnic and community media.

But as I understand the law, that requirement only applies to certain forms of advertising.

Social media advertising and influencer campaigns fall outside of it.

So theoretically, couldn't an administration dramatically increase spending on influencers, reduce traditional advertising expenditures, and still meet the 50% requirement?

So I'm not sure if I understand the question.

Well, so it's a loophole, basically, right?

I mean, the requirement only applies to certain forms of advertising, right?

Social media advertising.

and influencer campaigns fall outside of it, right?

So in theory, couldn't an administration dramatically increase spending on influencers, on social media,

and reduce traditional advertising expenditures, and they're still in compliance with the law?

I can't really speak.

I'm not sure if I fully understand the structure of that, but I think that my goal really is to increase the amount of dollars that are going out to community and ethnic media.

That's what I'm hearing from publishers, that they need this money to survive, to keep their lights on daily.

So really that's what I'm focused on in this office, is trying to get an increased amount of dollars out the door to community and ethnic media.

They gave me the hook, so I have more in the next round.

Thank you.