As a leader in the industry, the AAAA often works in conjunction with other associations and trade groups in pursuit of mutual goals. In addition to collaborating with dozens of groups representing the advertising interests of various media, the AAAA also works with the following organizations.
» Ad-ID
Ad-ID is a digital identification system that greatly improves the way that all advertising assets are managed. This Web-based system was jointly developed by the AAAA and the Association of National Advertisers, Inc., and provides industry-standard codes for identifying all television, print, radio, out-of-home, and interactive advertising, as well as FSI’s, packaging, and much more. It’s simple, fast, and accurate.
» The Advertising Council
In 1942, the AAAA was instrumental in the creation of The Advertising Council, a private, nonprofit organization that endeavors to improve the lives of all Americans via national public service advertising campaigns. Today, the AAAA works with The Advertising Council by matching member agencies with participating clients approved by the Council to create public service advertising. The AAAA president and 21 representatives from AAAA member agencies sit on The Advertising Council Board.
» Advertising Educational Foundation
The Advertising Educational Foundation was founded in 1984, with the merger of the educational foundations of the AAAA and the American Advertising Federation. The AEF is funded by one-time contributions from agencies, advertisers, and media companies that are represented on its Board, together with the presidents of the AAAA and the AAF. This nonprofit organization’s singular mission is education—to raise the perception and awareness of advertising as a reliable and beneficial economic and social force in our society.
» Association of National Advertisers
» American Advertising Federation
The Association of National Advertisers, Inc. and the American Advertising Federation work with the AAAA to combat legislative and regulatory issues on both the federal and state levels. Results of their joint efforts include the formation of groups such as the State Advertising Coalition. These groups join forces for other causes as well. For example, representing the industry in negotiating talent union contracts every three years, the ANA and the AAAA are both represented on the Joint Policy Committee on Broadcast Talent Union Relations. In addition, in 1994, the AAAA and the ANA founded the Coalition for Advertising Supported Information and Entertainment (CASIE) to improve and support advertising in the evolving world of interactive media.
» Advertising Research Foundation
In 1936 the AAAA co-founded the Advertising Research Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to improve the practice of advertising, marketing, and media research in pursuit of more effective marketing and media communications. The AAAA and the ARF work closely on projects, initiatives, and committees covering the measurement of advertising effectiveness and media audiences, among other issues. The AAAA president and six representatives from AAAA member agencies serve on the ARF Board of Directors, and every fourth year an agency director serves as Chairman of the Board.
» Advertising Week, Inc.
Advertising Week, Inc. was conceived by the AAAA as a weeklong celebration of advertising’s positive contributions to the economy, the industry’s role in shaping quality of life, and its influence on popular culture. Since its inception in 2004, Advertising Week has grown to include the participation of more than 25 major trade groups and a roster of corporate sponsors. The Board of Directors is comprised of leaders from agency, advertiser, and media businesses.
Advertising Tax Coalition
The Advertising Tax Coalition was formed in 1987 to oppose proposed limitations on the ability of businesses to deduct advertising costs as a business expense. The Coalition lobbies Congress and sponsors proactive, grassroots meetings in the home offices of members on the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee to educate lawmakers about the problems and concerns of the ad industry.
» National Advertising Review Council
» National Advertising Division
» Children’s Advertising Review Unit
» National Advertising Review Board
The advertising industry created the National Advertising Review Council in 1971 to oversee its newly inaugurated system of voluntary self-regulation. NARC is a strategic alliance among the AAAA, ANA, AAF, and the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., designed to preclude government involvement in misleading or deceptive advertising claims. The AAAA president and chairman sit on NARC’s Board of Directors. The system has two investigative and adjudicative bodies: The National Advertising Division and the Children’s Advertising Review Unit. If an advertiser disagrees with NAD or CARU decisions, it can appeal to the National Advertising Review Board. The system covers advertising in traditional media, as well as on the Internet. Since its inception, NARC has enjoyed a 95 percent compliance rate and has helped raise advertising standards for truth and accuracy.
» The Partnership for a Drug-Free America
In 1987, the industry’s coalition of advertising agencies, media, production companies, talent unions, etc. branded together to “unsell” drugs to America with breakthrough public service advertising. Founded by the AAAA and funded by the Association during the Partnership’s first three years, PFDA also serves as a key partner in the advertising component of the US government’s National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. In addition, the AAAA president serves on the Partnership’s Board of Directors.
State Advertising Coalition
Created in 1986 to coordinate the advertising industry’s lobbying efforts at the state and local levels, the State Advertising Coalition is comprised of the AAAA, the Association of National Advertisers, and the American Advertising Federation. SAC members work together to monitor all proposed legislation affecting the advertising business and evaluate changes in state tax policy and tax regulations. When a threat emerges, the Coalition organizes grassroots efforts to defeat adverse legislation.