Who We Are
The IAA is the world’s most influential network of marketing and marketing communications professionals. Established in 1938, the International Advertising Association is the only global association that represents all spheres of the marketing and marketing communications industry. For over eighty years the IAA has played a strong role in supporting key industry issues such as freedom of commercial speech, self-regulation, responsible advertising, education and professional development.
On the ground, we have over 4,000 individual and corporate members spanning marketing, advertising, media, IT communications and academic sectors – all involved in the wide range of brand marketing and marketing communications disciplines. The IAA has presence in most markets through Chapters and education affiliates reaching across 56 countries where we serve the collective interests of the entire marketing communications profession, unlike other bodies that defend only the interests of the sector they represent.
Taken together our mission themes combine naturally to define the benefits valued by the IAA’s four separate constituencies:
- Corporate Members
- Individual Members
- Students & Academic Members
- Chapters
What we do for the International Advertising industry:
With members in 56 countries spanning six continents, we work together to:
- Promote freedom of commercial speech
- Fight unwarranted regulation
- Champion advertising as a growth engine of free market societies
- Encourage the exchange of knowledge and expertise amongst marketing peers around the world
- Support self-regulation and provide an exchange of information and best practices
- Provide professional development through education and training
- Create industry forums that tackle issues with a single global voice
The IAA’s separate roles
For Corporate members: attack barriers to free commercial speech and independent media where they exist, and defend the freedoms already in place.
For Individual members: develop all aspects of the forum, including networking, which help individuals advance professionally in their communications careers.
For Chapters: provide the focus for development of the Chapter’s strategic positioning, plus provide the basis for Chapter programs and events.
The dynamic which unites the three separate constituencies is that they all aim to be successful brand builders. These are exceptional communications professionals. They are the substance of the International Advertising Association, which in the future will be acclaimed as the champion for the freedom of responsible commercial speech, and admired for its insights, innovation and leadership.
Our Mission
The IAA is committed to be the Global Compass of the marketing communications industry.
- We point towards excellence in meaningful creativity that helps our constituents remain true to the timeless principles of building strong brands and forging meaningful relationships with the consumers they serve and the society in which we live
- We use our thought leadership, initiatives in education, continuous development programs and world-class conferences, to help navigate through the ever-changing areas of regulation, technology that empowers, and the aspirations of increasingly confident consumers
- We are a unique network of marketers, advertising agencies, media, tech-companies and educators who are constantly evaluating what is new and evolving responsibly, while remaining rooted to our core belief that “what’s good, is good for business”
Our Values
- Creativity that both inspires people to take action and solves business challenges
- Advocacy to protect and advance the freedom of commercial speech and defend the responsible communications industry against unwarranted bans and restrictions
- Industry Forum to debate emerging professional marketing communications issues and their consequences in the fast-changing industry environment
- Continuous Professional Development of practitioners so that they are ready to face the constant changes with practical insights of industry issues and knowledge of what’s coming next, that would help them navigate better outcomes
- Education that nurtures the young student community exposing them to “best-in-class” curriculums that contributes to career-readiness and speedier recruitment by the industry
Position Statement
What we believe:
In its capacity as the champion of responsible and free advertising, the IAA finds itself involved in the debate around the many key regulatory issues impacting the industry today.
The IAA is frequently in contact with the regulators in many of the countries where it has grassroots representation – lobbying them and presenting the industry’s viewpoint.
That is why we have developed the IAA position statements on what we see as the main regulatory issues impacting the communications industry today:
- Obesity
- Media influence on children
- Responsible advertising & self-regulation in advertising
- Product placement
- Commercial email
- Unsolicited commercial faxes
- Alcohol advertising
- Tobacco advertising
Advertising Self-Regulation
To promote advertising self-regulation, the IAA assists its Chapters and other bodies involved in setting up appropriate codes and systems in their countries, as well as systems for dealing with trans-border complaints within regional trading blocs.
Current Regulatory Codes
Click here for the ICC’s consolidated code of Advertising and Marketing Communications.
Foundation for Advertising Research’s website on best practice advertising regulation
The Foundation for Advertising Research (FAR) has created a website: http://apacadreg.com for ongoing exchange of information to advance best practice advertising regulation in the Asia-Pacific region. The website is in the form of a blog so that comments can be added and therefore promote discussion.
Building relationships with the regulators
We meet frequently with media regulators to discuss industry and consumer-choice issues. These meetings give us, and our members, a unique insight into the future of our industry. We have solid relations and regular dialog with many governments. For example:
- IAA Leaders visited Moscow in 2009 and met with the State Duma, the Committee on Advertisement Information and Design, the Committee for Economic Policy and Tourism, the Federal Antimonopoly Commission and the Deputy Major of Moscow.
- Our Executive Committee was one of the first groups to meet with the EU Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Mrs. Maglena Kuneva, and encouraged a fair and open debate. Commissioner Kuneva immediately invited a delegation of the IAA to return to Brussels and maintain a regular dialog with her.
- In China, we have regular communications with the State Administration of Industry and Commerce – this ministry controls the advertising industry. SAIC officials across China are interested in “what the IAA thinks”, and what we can tell them about other market and industry issues.
How the IAA can assist you
The IAA has a seat at the table with most of the world’s advertising regulating bodies. The IAA can also act as a bridge between regulators and the industry.
John D.Chacko
President
Omar Shaari
Vice President
Prabha Nayar
Honorary Secretary
Ng Li Lian
Honorary Treasurer
Hamimda Agil
Head of Education
Gary Tay
Head of Digital
Stephanie Lim
Secretary
Sailendra Kanagasundram
Head of Membership & Events
