Bulletin #4: Strengthening Ethics Through Collaboration

Dear members & partners,

The IAE serves as a bridge between consumers, industry, and government, collaborating to strengthen advertising ethics and the systems that uphold them. As our community of certificants and partners expands, we’re gearing up to share exciting updates and fresh content!

IAE & FTC: Advancing Ethical Advertising Together with Government

Late last year, IAE President Andrew Susman sat down with Serena Viswanathan, Associate Director at the Federal Trade Commision (FTC), for a critical conversation on consumer rights, fair market practices, and the integrity of the advertising ecosystem.

The discussion highlights the FTC’s commitment to educating businesses on ethical advertising and the role of self-regulation in achieving industry-wide trust. The IAE remains dedicated to collaborating with government leaders to ensure that ethical standards in advertising align with evolving regulatory priorities.

The interview is now available to watch below or you can read about it on our blog.

Corporate Leaders: Scaling Trust Across the Industry

Procter & Gamble continues to lead in ethical advertising, appointing 20 Trust Ambassadors to drive IAE Professional Certification adoption across the company—reinforcing its commitment to trust and integrity.

A special thank you goes out to IPG Mediabrands for Elevating Ethical Leadership. Congratulations to Andy Deharo, Global Director, Client Confidentiality & Privacy, on achieving a CEAE certification! We also want to recognize Dave Byrne, Eileen Kieran, Brandy Loos, Sean Muzzy, and the IPG team for their commitment to transparency and ethical standards.

With half of the major agency holding companies now integrating ethical frameworks, trust is now more than ever a business imperative and competitive advantage. P&G and IPG’s leadership underscores that ethics goes beyond compliance—shaping a culture of integrity that resonates industry-wide.

Welcoming Dr. Juan Mundel to the IAE Advisory Council

Dr. Mundel, Associate Professor of Advertising and Public Relations at Michigan State University, and our latest Certified Ethical Advertising Executive, is a leading expert in consumer behavior, media effects, and multicultural advertising. As Editor of the Journal of Advertising Education, the field’s most prestigious academic journal, he brings top-tier scholarly insight, unparalleled connectivity, and curricular capability to the intersection of consumer and industry behavior. 

The Broader View: Professional Ethics as a Multi-Stakeholder Imperative

IAE's mission is to serve as a trusted reference for advertising professionals and the industry, connecting market participants, civil society, and government to establish ethical best practices. With the support of our Advisory Council—comprised of leaders known for their integrity—we continue to expand our programs and partnerships.

The IAE is an independent, 501(c)(3) educational foundation dedicated to promoting ethics in advertising through academic and professional education. Our operations are funded entirely through certification programs and voluntary contributions from individuals and companies—without relying on any taxpayer dollars. This financial independence allows us to uphold and advance ethical standards, raising the bar across the industry.

With 4,000+ certificants across 140+ companies, the movement is growing. Ready to make a difference? Join us! Support IAE through certification or contribution and help shape the future of ethical advertising.

Stay Involved

Wondering how you can stay involved with the IAE and the work we're doing?

1. Get Certified: We encourage you to advance your professional development by completing the Certified Ethical Advertising Executive (CEAE) course and our free Green Shield course for greenwash prevention.

2. Prevention Toolkit: Equip your company with the tools to foster real environmental change, enhance brand integrity, and build trust with consumers by using our Greenwash Prevention Toolkit.

3. Stay Connected: Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the IAE as we continue to push the boundaries of ethical advertising.

4. Donate: Your generosity powers our mission. Every contribution helps us to raise ethical standards across all aspects of advertising communications. Donate today!

Thank you for championing ethical advertising. Together, we’re shaping a more accountable and trustworthy industry. We’re grateful to have you on this journey!

Best,

The Institute for Advertising Ethics