#EthicalAdvertising

[tmarshconnors]

End Behavioral Ads

In our increasingly digital world, we are bombarded by advertisements wherever we go online. Whether we’re scrolling through social media, reading articles, or browsing websites, ads follow us at every turn. But what many people may not realize is that these ads are not just random they are tailored specifically to us. This practice, known as behavioural advertising, has become a norm in the online advertising industry, and its implications on our privacy and autonomy are far-reaching.

What are Behavioural Ads?

Behavioural ads, or targeted ads, are a form of online advertising that tracks and analyses a user’s behaviour to serve ads based on their past interactions, interests, and online activities. Essentially, these ads are based on the idea that if companies can understand what we like, what we search for, and how we behave online, they can serve us ads that are more likely to generate a sale or engagement.

For example, if you search for a specific brand of shoes online, you might start seeing ads for the same brand or similar ones popping up across your devices. This is because the ad networks have been tracking your online behaviour and know you’re interested in that particular product. The more you search, browse, and interact with content online, the more they know about you, building a detailed digital profile of your preferences.

The Ethical Implications of Behavioural Ads

While targeted ads may seem like an innocuous way for companies to advertise relevant products, they come with several significant concerns:

Invasion of Privacy One of the most significant issues with behavioural ads is the invasion of our privacy. The data collected by companies is not limited to simple browsing behaviour—it can include sensitive information such as health-related searches, financial interests, and personal habits. This information is often collected without the user’s full consent or understanding of how it will be used. As a result, individuals have little control over what is shared and who can access it.

Manipulation and Exploitation Behavioural ads are designed to tap into human psychology, exploiting our vulnerabilities and manipulating our choices. By predicting and influencing our purchasing decisions, these ads can encourage impulsive buying or drive us to make decisions based on emotional triggers rather than rational thought. This can be particularly concerning in areas such as mental health, where users may be influenced by ads promoting products or services that are not in their best interest.

Erosion of Autonomy One of the more subtle but troubling effects of behavioural ads is the erosion of personal autonomy. As these ads shape our online experiences, they begin to create a bubble where we are only exposed to information and products we are likely to engage with. This can limit our exposure to diverse viewpoints, ideas, and products, ultimately narrowing our scope of experience and reinforcing biases.

Data Breaches and Security Risks The collection of personal data for targeted advertising raises significant concerns about data breaches and security. As companies accumulate vast amounts of information about users, they become prime targets for hackers. In the event of a breach, sensitive personal information can be stolen and exploited for malicious purposes, putting individuals’ privacy and security at risk.

Why We Should Stop Behavioural Ads

The case for stopping behavioural ads is clear: they compromise our privacy, manipulate our choices, and expose us to unnecessary risks. Here are a few compelling reasons why we should take action to curb this practice:

Protecting Our Privacy We must take control of our personal data. Behavioural ads rely on our data to function, but as individuals, we should have the right to choose what data we share and with whom. By ending behavioural ads, we can ensure that our online lives are not constantly monitored, and our private information is not exploited for profit.

Restoring Autonomy and Choice We should be able to make decisions without being manipulated by advertisers. Ending behavioural ads would allow us to experience the digital world on our own terms, rather than being constantly nudged toward products and services based on sophisticated algorithms designed to influence us.

Encouraging Fairer Business Practices The current advertising model puts the power squarely in the hands of large corporations and tech companies, allowing them to dominate the market. By stopping behavioural ads, we can level the playing field and encourage businesses to adopt more ethical, transparent advertising methods that don’t rely on invasive tracking.

Promoting Consumer Trust As consumers, we need to trust the companies we interact with. If businesses are transparent about their advertising methods and give consumers control over their data, we are more likely to engage with them. Reversing the trend of behavioural ads could help restore faith in the digital economy and improve relationships between consumers and businesses.

How We Can Stop Behavioural Ads

To put an end to behavioural ads, we need to take action on several fronts:

Advocating for Stronger Privacy Laws Governments must enact stronger privacy regulations to protect individuals from invasive tracking and data collection. Laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe have set a precedent, but more can be done globally to ensure companies are held accountable for their data practices.

Using Privacy Tools and Settings As individuals, we can take steps to protect ourselves. Using ad blockers, privacy-focused browsers like Brave, and VPNs can help reduce the impact of behavioural ads. Additionally, many websites and apps offer options to limit data tracking or opt out of personalised advertising.

Supporting Ethical Companies We can also choose to support companies that prioritise user privacy and adopt ethical advertising practices. By making informed decisions as consumers, we can help shift the market toward more responsible business models.

Raising Awareness One of the most powerful ways to stop behavioural ads is by raising awareness about the issue. The more people understand how their data is being used, the more likely they are to demand change. Through blogs, social media, and activism, we can push for a future where online advertising is fair, transparent, and respectful of personal privacy.

Behavioural ads are a pervasive and often harmful part of the modern digital landscape. By targeting our personal information and exploiting our psychological vulnerabilities, they undermine our privacy and autonomy. It’s time we take a stand against this practice, advocating for stronger privacy laws, utilizing tools that protect our data, and supporting companies that respect our rights. Only then can we reclaim control over our online lives and ensure that advertising serves us, rather than the other way around.

[thxnews]

UK's Advertising Brilliance Takes Center Stage

Championing UK's Creative Powerhouse

At the prestigious Ad Association's LEAD conference, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer underscored the vital role of the UK's advertising industry in the nation's economy. Emphasizing its influence and innovation, Frazer heralded a new era of advertising excellence and creativity.   A Global Stage for Advertising Highlighting the Super Bowl's advertising fervor as a benchmark, Frazer drew parallels to the UK's own dynamic advertising landscape. Despite evolving media consumption habits, such moments epitomize the enduring power of compelling advertising, she noted, with quality triumphing over the staggering costs of visibility.  

Creativity at the Core

Frazer celebrated advertising as a cradle of creativity, essential for the vibrancy of the UK's media ecosystem. From funding free media to empowering consumer choice, advertising's role as a free-market facilitator was emphasized, showcasing its foundational impact on diverse media platforms.   Nurturing the Future With the UK's creative industries booming, advertising stands as a key contributor, reflecting the sector's magnetic pull for talent and ingenuity. Frazer's vision for the industry's growth highlighted the government's commitment to harnessing its potential for broader economic and cultural prosperity.  

Skills for Tomorrow

Addressing the future, Frazer spotlighted the need for a skilled workforce to sustain the industry's innovation, particularly in the face of emerging technologies like AI. The Creative Industries Vision aims to bolster economic growth and job creation, with advertising leading the charge.   The AI Revolution in Advertising Embracing AI's transformative potential, Frazer encouraged the advertising sector to leverage this technology as a creativity-enhancing tool. With AI's growing influence, from analytics to customer engagement, the focus remains on ensuring ethical and responsible use.  

A Framework for Online Safety

Frazer also addressed online advertising's challenges, outlining plans for a regulatory framework to combat online harms. The forthcoming consultation aims to refine the approach, ensuring it complements existing efforts like the Online Safety Act.   Collaborative Efforts for a Safer Digital Space The commitment to improving the online advertising landscape involves close collaboration with industry bodies and the Advertising Standards Authority. Frazer praised ongoing initiatives to raise standards and combat illegal advertising, signaling a collective endeavor for a healthier digital environment.  

A Strategic Vision for Advertising

Lucy Frazer's speech at the LEAD conference not only celebrated the UK's advertising achievements but also set a forward-looking agenda for the industry. By embracing innovation, enhancing skills, and ensuring responsible practices, the UK's advertising sector is poised for continued global leadership and impact.   Sources: THX News, Department for Culture, Media and Sport & The Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC MP. Read the full article

[famegala]

[legalattorneyblog]

"Ethical Navigation in Advertising: Insights from Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN"

Given the current economic uncertainties, advertising in the legal profession is particularly relevant. As we delve into this discussion, it’s essential to recognize the evolving landscape of legal practice and how the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, established in 2007, may require reassessment to meet the contemporary needs of legal practitioners. Tech-Driven Mentorship…

[freshnickadventures]

What's Real vs. What's Junk

I just finished reading an article from the University of Oxford about why junk news spreads so easily on social media. They had three key points about why social media platforms have become a breeding ground of fake information, conspiracies, and propaganda. The three key takeaways are algorithms, advertising and exposure.

Algorithms

Algorithms play a role in all of the information that you see on the internet and specifically, social media. It was initially designed so that your content would be personalized, they have grown into the main reason that people just see things that reinforce their beliefs. This, in turn, creates bubbles where people spread false information like wildfire. It limits their exposure to new information and hurts the exchange of new ideas.

Case and point:

Advertising

Social media relies almost solely on advertising and your personal information as funding their business model. Creating viral content incentivizes creating inflammatory and false information that will get clicks. It also allows for political campaigns and other companies to target people that are receptive to manipulative messages and false information because it affirms their beliefs.

Exposure

Users on social media also play a role by choosing what types of content they engage with. This creates echo chambers, where people only see things that align with their beliefs. This selective exposure makes people more entrenched in their ideologies and limits their exposure to different beliefs. People are just as responsible for what they choose to engage with as the social media companies that use algorithms to cater to what they want to see. People choosing to get their news from social media are at risk of being exposed to an extreme level of misinformation for the sake of confirming their previously held misconceptions.

What Can We Do?

There are several forces that people need to be aware of when "harmlessly" scrolling on social media for their news. Algorithms that cater to your wants, understanding what news sources can be trusted, going to multiple sources for the same topic, and advertising forces that exploit your emotions. The responsibility is on businesses and individuals to create an environment online that prioritizes transparency, critical thinking, and sharing information responsibly. It is up to us all to create a healthier environment online that doesn't encourage people to get more entrenched and divisive in their views.

[anetasblog]

The Future of the Industry: Emerging Trends, Technologies, and Challenges

As we look towards the future of the marketing and advertising industry, it's clear that we are on the cusp of significant transformations driven by emerging trends, cutting-edge technologies, and evolving consumer expectations. The next decade promises to be one of innovation, where the boundaries of creativity and technology will blur, creating new opportunities and challenges for brands and marketers alike.

One of the most exciting trends on the horizon is the integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) into mainstream marketing strategies. AR and VR are poised to revolutionize the way consumers interact with brands, offering immersive experiences that go beyond traditional advertising. Imagine virtual showrooms, interactive product demonstrations, and augmented shopping experiences that make online purchases feel as tangible as in-store visits. These technologies will allow brands to create deeper connections with their audiences, offering personalized and engaging experiences that were previously unimaginable.

Artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to play a pivotal role, but its influence will deepen as AI systems become more sophisticated. In the future, AI will not only optimize campaigns but also drive content creation, predictive analytics, and customer service automation. Brands will need to navigate the ethical implications of AI, particularly concerning data privacy and transparency, as consumers become increasingly concerned about how their information is used.

Another emerging trend is the growing importance of sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in marketing. Consumers are demanding more from the brands they support, expecting them to take active stances on social and environmental issues. This shift will challenge companies to align their marketing strategies with ethical practices, creating campaigns that resonate with socially conscious consumers.

However, these advancements come with their own set of challenges. As technology continues to evolve, the industry will face issues related to data security, digital fatigue, and the ever-present threat of misinformation. Balancing innovation with consumer trust will be critical, as will the need to adapt to increasingly stringent regulations around data use and privacy.

The future of the marketing and advertising industry is one of endless possibilities. By embracing emerging technologies and trends while addressing the associated challenges, brands can create meaningful, lasting connections with their audiences in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

#FutureOfMarketing #EmergingTrends #DigitalInnovation #AIinMarketing #ARVR #SustainableMarketing #EthicalAdvertising #TechTrends #MarketingChallenges #BrandStrategy

[sjthom2021]

This week, I've been enjoying finding out more about Good-Loop - an ethical ad agency in Edinburgh.

They're committed to creating a more postive relationship between consumer and advertisers while supporting charities the consumer thinks about.

"It’s control. If I’m in control of who can talk to me, I’m very happy to be talked to. There’s nothing inherently wrong with being followed around the Internet. What’s wrong is being followed around the Internet by people I don’t like or trust."

- Amy Williams, Co-Founder

It's a brilliant idea and one I'm inspired to try and incorporate into my app - rethinking how you can make ads a postive experience for the users and the brands.

[crichilds]

Am I the only one immune to the marketing prostitution happening with social media these days? Social media is meant to be a way to connect with other people. Not to sling your wears...and hawk your cheap crap from China... If your tired of the abuse your receiving from the social feeds then follow me for actionable advice of how to clean up your social feeds. New tips daily. No promotional message, fin. #cleanupmarketing #ethicaladvertising #anti-fake #socialfakemedia #socialmediamarketing #socialmediabreak #socialmediainfluencer #socialmediadetox #socialmediatipsandtricks https://www.instagram.com/p/CFpQbovAV-k/?igshid=vthq9aarzr4g

[n4stywom4n-blog]

Blame the Burger Eater

Burger King uses a sexualized image of a woman to sell a cheap sandwich. Who do we blame? The advertising agency? The corporation that paid the agency? The media company who printed the advertisement? The magazine that accepted the media placement? The editor of that magazine for lack of review? The culture that accepts this type of sexualization? The model who accepted the job and posed? I could go on and on.

The point here is that too often we point our finger with disdain claiming “big business” is at fault when that lacks a clear accusation since responsibility is spread through so many mediums before an advertisement is presented to offend you. 

As both an advertiser and a consumer, I understand there’s ethical conflict on both sides. My personal view is that consumers have more power to control messages than advertisers. Advertising is all about creating messages that will resonate with consumers- otherwise they fail. Therefore, more often than not they reflect the language, culture, and messages consumers have already established.

Especially within millennials, there has been a rise in ethical consumption. I’ve hyperlinked the source“Mintel” because they produced research to prove this movement has taken hold. Below is a quote from the linked article:

“56 percent of US consumers stop buying from companies they believe are unethical. What’s more, over one third (35 percent) of consumers stop buying from brands they perceive as unethical even if there is no substitute available and 27 percent stop purchasing even if they think the competitor offers lower quality. Overall, more than three in five consumers feel that ethical issues are becoming more important (63 percent).”

I choose to believe brands and advertising don’t control the consumer, it is the other way around. If people were more willing to talk with their wallets, corporations and advertisers would be forced to take notice.

Instead of scoffing at the racy burger ad while stuffing your face, walk to the next restaurant and encourage others to do the same. 

[inher30suk]

A tweet

Our list of #EthicalAdvertisers is growing steadily now - if your company would like to be added to this list, please let us know! https://t.co/6MFEsWMb9r

— Stop Funding Hate (@StopFundingHate) November 18, 2017

[thxnews]

Explaining the Ethics and Stemma Regulations of Japanese SNS Marketing

  Experts Unveil the Essence of Advertising Activities

In a seminar, Mr. Masaharu Minami, Director of the Labeling Division, Consumer Affairs Agency, and Mr. Kotaro Sugiyama, CEO of Light Publicity Co., Ltd., thoroughly explained the "Stemma Regulations," implemented in October. This seminar aimed to shed light on the judgment flow, operation standards, and essence of advertising activities concerning stemmer regulations.   A Hybrid Seminar Reaching Over 300 Companies Worldwide On June 28, 2023, the free seminar "SNS/Influencer Marketing Operational Standards and Responses Shared with the Consumer Affairs Agency's Labeling Division" was held. More than 300 companies participated in the event and delved into the basics of the prize display law, the differences between foundations and discoveries, and applicable case studies to uncover the essence of advertisement and ways to avoid Stema before the October 1, 2023 regulation implementation.  

Unraveling the Act Against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations

Mr. Masaharu Minami, Director of the Labeling Division, Consumer Affairs Agency, provided insights into the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, highlighting its operating standards for stemmer regulations. The speaker shared past examples from Instagram, emphasizing the need for regulation, as conventional methods couldn't curb the act of misrepresenting advertisements (stigma).  

SNS and Influencer Marketing with Integrity

In the second part of the seminar, Liddell CEO Fukuda elaborated on the mechanisms and growing popularity of SNS and influencer marketing. Moreover, he emphasized that over 70% of consumers prefer authentic partnerships between influencers and companies, thus highlighting the need to avoid Stemma, as intentional buzz is deemed unacceptable. The key takeaway was to prioritize trust and sincerity in future SNS and influencer marketing efforts.  

Mr. Sugiyama continued to give a severe view of the industry as a whole. Photo by Liddell.  

A Panel Discussion with Advertising Legend Kotaro Sugiyama

Part 3 featured a panel discussion with Kotaro Sugiyama, President and CEO of Light Publicity. Sugiyama delved into the misconceptions plaguing the advertising industry, stressing the essence of advertising as raising awareness rather than self-promotion. Participants found his insights invaluable for navigating the realm of advertising effectively.   Seminar Success and Positive Feedback Participants lauded the seminar for its concrete examples and practical solutions. Moreover, the session covered the gamut, addressing stemming regulations to the ideal form of advertising, providing a comprehensive understanding in just one hour. As a result, attendees found it easy to grasp the correct approach to Stema and its implications.   Liddell's Vision: Moving Hearts and Ensuring Integrity Liddell, a pioneer in SNS and influencer marketing, envisions contributing to economic revitalization by upholding the true value of fan and community marketing. Additionally, with a "Risk Management Plan" that supports safe operational systems for stemmer regulations, Liddell offers expertise in observation, analysis, formulation, and establishment.   Embracing Ethical Advertising for the Future The seminar emphasized the importance of moving people's hearts through sound and entertaining advertising while avoiding practices that make audiences uncomfortable. Furthermore, with constant updates and support for the personal economy, Liddell maintains a steadfast commitment to ethical advertising and economic growth.   Sources: THX News & Liddell. Read the full article

[inher30suk]

A tweet

Our list of #EthicalAdvertisers is growing steadily now - if your company would like to be added to this list, please let us know! https://t.co/6MFEsWMb9r

— Stop Funding Hate (@StopFundingHate) November 18, 2017