Glossary

What Is Prior Express Written Consent?

60-Second Summary

Prior express written consent is a signed, written permission a consumer has to give before a business is allowed to send them marketing calls or texts. Under the TCPA, PEWC must identify the seller, the number being called, and state that the consumer doesn’t have to buy anything.

For affiliate networks and lead generators, the consent record travels with the lead – if a publisher collected it the wrong way, the advertiser who dials that number owns the violation. Phonexa captures and stores verifiable consent through iClaim, keeps it attached to the lead, and routes only consented leads and calls to buyers.

PEWC, or prior express written consent, is when a consumer allows a business to call or text them for marketing purposes. In lead generation, it’s what makes a lead worth buying. For affiliate networks, advertisers, and pay per call operators, PEWC creates the difference between a lead you can and cannot legally interact with.

PEWC is required under the TCPA, enforced by the FCC, and is given when a consumer fills out a form. If there’s no consent on record, you can’t legally contact the lead or sell it.

Why Prior Express Written Consent Drives Lead Value

Provable PEWC means a lead can be sold, distributed, and then reached out to for marketing purposes by the buyers to whom the consent was given. On the other hand, no PEWC means you cannot legally contact the lead, which, in fact, also means that the lead isn’t worth burying or selling.

Important: The consent language on the form sets the terms. Whatever a publisher discloses when the consumer signs up decides how the buyer is allowed to communicate with that lead.

Prior Express Written Consent Synonyms
  • Prior Express Consent
  • Express Written Consent
  • PEWC
  • Written Consent Requirements

Collect, Store, and Transfer PEWC with Phonexa

For affiliate networks, lead generators, and advertisers, PEWC is only useful if it’s properly captured and can be proven. The problem is that consent records, caller authentication, and call logs are stored in a separate system and are therefore inconvenient to manage.

Phonexa builds PEWC capture directly into the lead and call flows. 

Whether LMS Sync or Call Logic, Phonexa’s enterprise call tracking and distribution software allows you to generate and transfer consent when distributing your leads and phone calls, or, as a buyer, you get the consent along with the lead’s contact information upon the purchase.

  • Capture and store verifiable PEWC through iClaim
  • Authenticate every number through certified STIR/SHAKEN
  • Screen inbound and outbound leads in real time with iClear
  • Distribute verified leads to the right buyer
  • Protect advertising spend and lead value

With PEWC collected, stored, and transferred automatically when the lead is generated or distributed, you’re protected from lawsuits and customer complaints, backed by a verifiable recording of a lead checking the consent boxes.

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Phonexa

Phonexa is the leading enterprise-grade integrated platform for call tracking, lead distribution, email, marketing, and digital marketing. The Phonexa staff is responsible for authorship of Phonexa blog posts.

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