Q102 radio station offer: Win a ‘beautiful, brand new baby!’

Feb. 20-- Q102 parent company iHeartMedia has used the promotion in other markets -- and are not without ethical controversy. Critics say the giveaways exploit vulnerable, desperate people for the sake of marketing. Proponents say infertile couples get a chance at parenthood that they otherwise couldn’t afford. (Though 10 percent of couples have trouble conceiving, health insurance generally doesn’t cover such high-tech help.)

Jared Fallon, program director for Q102, said in a news release, “My wife and I have first-hand experience with IVF, so we fully understand what an incredible opportunity this is.”

The contest, which began on Valentine’s Day, will have a winner on April Fool’s Day.

Some IVF giveaways are not as free or fabulous as they seem, as the health information website Verywell Health cautions. But Abington Reproductive Medicine infertility specialist Larry Barmat said this one is for real.

“No false advertising,” said Barmat, whose group practice does about 500 IVF cycles a year. “Zero out-of-pocket costs.”

Barmat said he was a bit hesitant when the station approached him, but came to see the giveaway as a win-win-win. “From a purist standpoint, I hate it," he said. "But everyone advertises.”

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