ICAS Launches Global Think Tank to Advance Responsible Advertising
New York, NY – The International Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (ICAS) is proud to announce the launch of its Global Think Tank, a new initiative dedicated to fostering self-regulatory engagement, critical thinking, and research to advance responsible advertising worldwide.
The launch event, held today in New York, marks the beginning of a new platform designed to be inclusive, diverse, and global. Its goal is to ensure that a wide range of stakeholders—advertising standards bodies (self-regulatory organizations), industry leaders, academic institutions, and other key players—can have a voice and participate in a collective effort to improve advertising practices. Initially, the Global Think Tank will focus on pressing issues like sustainability and the responsible use of AI, with plans to address additional topics as the Think Tank grows in capacity and becomes fully operational.
As digital technologies, including AI, continue to reshape the advertising landscape, and environmental and societal challenges increasingly influence media, marketing, and communities, there is a growing need for advertising that works better—not just for individuals, but also for the industry, communities, and society at large.
ICAS members firmly believe that high advertising standards, supported by high-quality insights, critical thinking, and independent research, can drive meaningful change. By uniting diverse stakeholders, the Global Think Tank will help amplify the collective impact of the global advertising ecosystem.
ICAS President, Guy Parker, stated:
We’re truly excited to launch the ICAS Global Think Tank. We’re confident it will provide the platform we need to address some of the most pressing issues facing the advertising sector today, generating insights that will help inform evidence-based policymaking, elevate ad standards and ultimately benefit people and communities worldwide. We are delighted that many associations and companies have already committed to supporting this initiative, and we look forward to welcoming even more members and stakeholders to the Think Tank in the months and years ahead.
Stephan Loerke, CEO of the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) and ICAS VP, added:
There is no divine right to advertise. Marketers have a license to operate, and we can lose it. To maintain it, we must keep up with a rapidly changing society, which can be challenging because society is evolving faster than ever. The ICAS Global Think Tank is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on responsible advertising practices. It will play an important role in helping us understand and address the significant challenges we face today. It has our full support.
The launch event took place during the ICAS 2024 annual meetings, hosted by BBB National Programs, and was held alongside the NAD 2024 conference. It brought together ICAS members, Global Think Tank participants, BBB National Programs stakeholders, and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Marketing and Advertising Commission, which is set to unveil its latest edition of the ICC Code in New York. This marked the first time these key associations—each playing a crucial role in promoting responsible advertising and marketing practices in the US and globally—united to not only discuss global challenges but also celebrate their collective achievements.
Eric Reicin, President & CEO, BBB National Programs, said:
BBB National Programs has been proud to host ICAS in New York this week, as we in the U.S. welcome other global economies dedicated to advancing responsible advertising practices. I congratulate Guy Parker and his team on their creation of this Think Tank, which will advance the use of industry self-regulation to confront greenwashing, advocate for ethical AI in advertising, and address other pervasive global advertising issues in order to better safeguard consumers and promote a fair marketplace.
Michael Todd, Google Global Director, Industry Relation said:
Google is thrilled to join the recently launched Global Think Tank of the International Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (ICAS) as the first platform member. We are committed to responsible advertising practices, and we believe that our partnership will allow us to work alongside other stakeholders to develop and implement effective self-regulatory standards that protect consumers and promote a healthy advertising environment.
ICAS extends its gratitude to Google for sponsoring the launch, as well as to our generous hosts, BBB National Programs and Frankfurt Kurnit. We would also like to thank all ICAS members who are part of the Global Think Tank, with special appreciation to our founding and supporting sponsors:
- Ad Standards, Australia
- Ad Standards, Canada
- Advertising Association (AA UK)
- Advertising Standards Authority (ASA UK)
- Advertising Standards Authority Ireland (ASA Ireland)
- Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)
- Asociación para la Autorregulación de la Comunicación Comercial (AUTOCONTROL), Spain
- Associação Brasileira de Anunciantes (ABA)
- European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA)
Please find the quotes from our founding and supporting sponsors below:
Orla Twomey, Chairwoman, European Advertising Standards Alliance
EASA is proud to sponsor the launch of the ICAS Global Think Tank. We believe it’s a meaningful and powerful asset. Our Alliance can definitely benefit from the fresh insights and new connections the think tank will provide; we hope that our work and actions can be informed by the studies and think pieces it will produce. We very much look forward to contributing to its development and activities.
Guy Parker, Chief Executive, Advertising Standards Authority, UK
The ASA is delighted to be a founding sponsor of the ICAS Global Think Tank. I’m convinced the Think Tank will widen the net of expert contributors to effective ad self-regulation, developing insights on the most pressing global issues of the day, to the benefit of the industry, people and society.
Richard Bean, Executive Director, Ad Standards, Australia
We’re honoured to support the launch of the ICAS Global Think Tank. The Think Tank will provide a vital forum in which the global advertising self-regulatory community will connect to analyse and address complex challenges. Ad Standards, like our European colleagues and those in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, stands to gain immensely from the Think Tank’s work, and we’re eager to contribute to its establishment and growth.
Stephen Woodford, Chief Executive, Advertising Association, said:
We know from all our research that the public responds best to work that is trusted, inclusive and sustainable. Advertising makes an important and valuable social and economic contribution, supporting jobs and livelihoods, helping businesses to grow, and raising awareness of important social and public health issues. However, the expectations of advertising from the public are always evolving and this new thinktank will help our industry collectively develop the standards of responsible advertising to meet the requirements of these changing times.
José Domingo Gómez Castallo, Director General, AUTOCONTROL, Spain
I would like to congratulate ICAS for promoting and driving this initiative. A platform for dialogue to promote global best practice in line with ICAS objectives, which will facilitate the creation of shared synergies in response to the global challenges facing the advertising industry. AUTOCONTROL is proud to be a part of this project. We are confident that it will promote responsible advertising through the effective implementation of self-regulatory standards for the benefit of consumers and brands.
Orla Twomey, Chief Executive, Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), Ireland
Advertising Standards Authority Ireland are delighted to be supporting the launch of the ICAS Global Think Tank. The launch marks an important moment in the evolution of responsible advertising. By bringing together diverse voices from across industries, and self-regulatory bodies, we aim to create a more inclusive, responsible future for advertising. We are particularly excited to contribute to the Think Tank’s focus on addressing key issues such as sustainability and the responsible use of AI, ensuring advertising evolves to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Manisha Kapoor, CEO & Secretary-General of ASCI, India
ASCI via its ASCI Academy is very honored to be a founding member of the ICAS Global Think Tank. As issues around advertising regulation get more complex, it is important that we all put together our minds and resources to support this initiative. We look forward to meaningful discussions and outcomes that will help build consumer trust and confidence in brands and advertising.
Nelcina Tropardi, President of the Brazilian Association of Advertisers (ABA)
ABA, the Brazilian Association of Advertisers, the only entity that represents and defends the interests of advertisers in Brazil for 65 years, supports ICA’s Think Tank, an initiative aligned with the entity’s flags of permanent defense of self-regulation, freedom of expression and responsible marketing, aiming to promote the best global practices in the Brazilian advertising market related to emerging issues that impacts marketing strategies, such as environmental and social challenges, and technological advances. We believe in the dialogue and co-construction as a road to joined articulation and the development of self-regulatory policies and best practices that can guide advertisers towards the ethical and responsible functioning of the advertising industry, ensuring the development and growth of their brands
For details on the Global Think Tank, please contact:
Sibylle Stanciu, ICAS Director
sibylle.stanciu@icas.global
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