16717: ANA Ethics Code Of Marketing Best Practices For Worst Perpetrators.

The ANA published ANA Ethics Code of Marketing Best Practices, which is described as follows:

 

The ANA Ethics Code of Best Marketing Practices is a framework of high-level principles, guidelines, resources and examples of ethical marketing and advertising best practices applicable to all entities engaged in marketing, advertising, and fundraising. The Code has been shaped by your peers on the ANA Ethics Code Steering Committee and is designed to be a resource to guide the industry towards ethical business practices with the overarching goal of rebuilding and maintaining consumer trust.

 

Our vision is to advance an accountable and ethical marketing ecosystem for brand growth through a central Code of Ethics, alongside complementary efforts that help implement the spirit of that code, managed by the Center for Ethical Marketing and ANA's leadership as a force for responsible growth. The Code is voluntary and matched with a foundational self-regulatory program to help educate companies on implementing acceptable industry standard practices. These efforts stave off regulation at the state and federal levels. It serves as the baseline of best practices for our industry through ethical accountability and elevates ANA and its members as leaders in this area.

 

The document includes a section titled, “Diversity and Inclusion Marketing Principles,” which poses numerous issues warranting examination.

 

First, did the ANA also deliberately decide to delete the E—ie, Equity—from DEI?

 

Second, was the D&I section delegated to committees of color and/or ERGs within the ANA?

 

Third, given that the ANA has almost annually admitted its membership does a lousy job of embracing multicultural marketing and supporting non-White vendors—ie, perpetuating systemic racism in Adland—what’s the value of best practices targeting the worst perpetrators?

 

Fourth, what’s the point of a pseudo manifesto on DEIBA+ from an organization that has no power, authority, or desire to mandate its recommendations? In short, ANA Ethics Code of Marketing Best Practices is nothing more than patronizing propaganda—a performative PR heat shield.