| Welcome to the The Conscious Advertising Network (CAN) newsletter for November 2024. Here's what we're covering in this month's newsletter: - The launch of the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change
- CAN at COP29 – what we got up to
- We welcomed a new member in November, and we are looking forward to hopefully seeing some members at the Responsible Advertising Summit next month
- Exciting news: we are now accepting donations!
- CAN's voices have been featured in Campaign, MAD//Fest, and the Responsible Edge podcast
- New reports from Climate Action Against Disinformation and the Responsible Marketing Agency
- Awareness days in November and December, and a new campaign from Neurodiversity in Media
- A look at what Trump's win in the US election means for advertising ethics
If you've got news related to CAN and our manifestos, please do get in touch with us at hello@consciousadnetwork.org.
#TogetherWeCAN | | | The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change | | | At the G20, the Brazilian government, the United Nations and UNESCO launched a groundbreaking Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change. This is the first time governments are taking action against climate disinformation at the multilateral level and already includes six countries: Chile, Denmark, France, Morocco, the United Kingdom and Sweden.
"This initiative will bring together countries, international organizations, and networks of researchers to support joint efforts to combat disinformation and promote actions in preparation for COP30 in Brazil." – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil
The initiative aims to boost support for urgent climate action at a time when scientists are warning that the world is running out of time. Aiming to expand the scope and breadth of research into climate disinformation and its impacts, the effort will gather evidence from around the world to inform and bolster strategic action, advocacy and communications.
On November 16th, CAN Co-Founder Jake Dubbins was in Rio de Janeiro at the G20 for the launch of the global initiative. Jake spoke on stage about the crucial role advertising plays as the economic backbone of our information ecosystems. | |  | | Photo credit: UN Climate Change - Kiara Worth | | | CAN's Head of Advocacy, Alex Murray, was in Azerbaijan for COP29 highlighting the role of climate misinformation as one of the biggest threats to climate action and to explore solutions for protecting the integrity of climate information.
On Wednesday, November 20th, Alex spoke at a press briefing alongside Alexander Saier, (Head of Digital Communications and Media, UN Climate Change - UNFCCC), and Martina Donlon (Head of Climate, United Nations Department of Global Communications). Alex spoke about the need to protect the climate information ecosystem, pointing towards examples of extreme weather in Spain, the US, and the Carribean where emergency efforts were hampered by disinformation efforts.
Alex went on to highlight the need to understand the systemic incentives and the economic model of attention, scale and opacity often paid for by advertisers. With an ask for the soon to be trillion-dollar industry:
"The advertising industry needs to look at its supply chains, create human rights responsible advertising and reflect on the fact that these warnings have been coming for long enough and that at some point you're moving from naivety to negligence" | | | Reflecting on time at COP29, Alex said: "This week we have heard story after story about how disinformation is leading to harassment and threats against scientists, disrupting communications teams and their ability to warn communities about extreme weather events and hampering rescue efforts in the aftermath. The Information Integrity initiative represents a really important start, but we need advertisers to play their role alongside the multi-lateral efforts" | | | Global independent marketing services and technology company, PMG, became a CAN member at the end of last month. PMG seek to inspire people and brands that anything is possible.
Already an advocate for ethical advertising practises, they have implemented stringent standards for website vetting and invested in employee training and education to foster a culture of ethical advertising.
Tom Byrne, VP of Global Strategic Partnerships at PMG has said: "We firmly believe that advertising has the power to shape culture and influence society positively. By working alongside CAN, we can help ensure that advertising is used responsibly and ethically. This commitment aligns with our company mission to create a positive impact through advertising." | | | We would like to take a moment to say thank you to Tina Fegent and Dino Myers-Lamptey, who have been instrumental in guiding and advising CAN since its inception. Tina has been a part of CAN since the beginning, with Dino joining shortly afterwards. Together, they steered the helm of our advisory group and lent their expertise to the organisation, being key advisors to our Co-Founders. Tina and Dino have taken the decision to step down as Co-Chairs of our advisory group. We can't thank them enough for their contributions and commitment to CAN's cause. Watch this space for new developments. | | | | What We Are Reading
Advertising, don't COP out of environmental progress – Campaign | | | CAN's Head of Advocacy Alex Murray wrote a piece for Campaign about his observations at COP29, and the need for continued engagement from the advertising industry with environmental progress. Alex speaks about the imminent threat of climate mis and disinformation:
"Over the last year, we've seen mis- and disinformation shaping the discourse around the climate crisis. This not only results in public nonchalance but it also obstructs efforts by authorities during and after extreme weather events, including in Spain, Brazil, the US and Caribbean. It's critical that this threat to climate change is recognised for what it is, an imminent harm. And it's even more critical to ensure the advertising industry has the tools and advice to avoid incentivising for it. Big Tech is one of the biggest offenders of climate misinformation and disinformation."
In the piece, Alex also shares his frustration with the lack of presence at COP29 of advertisers and agencies: "You cannot pick and choose when you favour climate change - it has to be consistent to be effective. We can't just ignore COP and blithely wait for it to pass you by until next year. This is where real discussions are had and where progress can be made. Protecting the integrity of climate information is a key role for our industry but in order to provide protection, you have to show up in the first place."
| | Support CAN's Missions with a Donation Today!
 We're wrapping up our strategic priorities for 2024-2027 and there's plenty of work to be done for our tiny (yet mighty) team! At CAN, we're committed to creating a world where advertising has a positive impact, free from harmful content and full of information integrity. By supporting our mission, you can help us break the economic link between advertising and harmful content. Your contribution enables us to advocate for ethical, responsible advertising practices, keeping the digital space safer for all.
What Does Your Donation Support? -
Policy Change: Working with governments and corporations to shape better advertising regulations
Transparency & Accountability CAN follows a strict donations policy ensuring every contribution is used responsibly for our mission. Your donation directly supports our work, with no influence from corporate interests. You can read more about our donations policy on our website. Become Part of the Change Every donation, big or small, helps fund our mission of a more responsible advertising ecosystem. Donate Now via our website to make an impact.
Click here to donate now! | | | | The Responsible Advertising Summit | | | The Responsible Advertising Summit 2024, for which CAN is a media partner, is taking place at the start of December. The summit is Europe's first forum dedicated to elevating standards in sustainable, inclusive & accessible marketing, media and advertising.
Happening on December 3rd and 4th, the event will bring together senior leaders from across industries to address the growing demand for sustainability, inclusivity, and accessibility in the advertising landscape.
CAN's own Co-Founder Harriet Kingaby will be speaking at the event, and attendees will have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders from CAN member giffgaff, Boots, P&G, Sky Bet, Tony's Chocolonely, ITV, HSBC, Sanofi, Reckitt, Diageo and more. Download the official event agenda here.
| | | New Campaign
Neurodiversity in Media | | | At the end of October, Neurodiversity in Media (NDIM) launched to help make workplace changes within the media industry. To coincide with the launch, they released their 4S Manifesto with the aim to help neurodiverse talent thrive, along with suggested organisational changes. The manifesto covers 4 key areas: To find out more about NDIM and their manifesto, you can connect with them on their LinkedIn page or their Substack. | | | November was a time to celebrate and acknowledge a number of awareness days and months. Transgender Awareness Month and Transgender Awareness Week took place, giving the opportunity for transgender people and their allies to educate, share their stories and experiences, and advocate for change. To help the media and advertising industry be inclusive of trans people, GLAAD has created some guides, including the GLAAD Media Reference Guide and their Guide to Anti-LGBTQ Online Hate and Disinformation.
November was also Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM). Founded in 2012, IAM showcases contributions of Muslims in our society and raises awareness about Islamophobia. Their aim is to build relationships, amplify Muslim voices, encourage open discussions, and challenge Muslim stereotypes.
Continuing into December, UK Disability History Month, running from 14 November to 20 December, creates a platform to focus on the history of disabled people's struggle for equality and human rights. Throughout the month, online and in-person events will be held including discussions, workshops, and exhibitions.
There are several awareness days in December, including Human Rights Day and International Migrants Day. Celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion is important year-round, as we outline in our Diversity manifesto; however, inclusion events and awareness days are great opportunities to celebrate and support. To find out more about awareness days and events over the next year, head to the link below: | | | What We Are Reading
What Trump's win – and $215m in anti-trans ads – mean for the future of advertising ethics - The Drum | | | In light of Donald Trump's win for his second term as US President, this article from The Drum explores the ethical concerns raised by marketers.
Recent data from AdImpact has revealed that the Republicans spent $215m alone on network TV ads vilifying transgender people. This has raised the ethical issue around the responsibility advertisers hold for campaigns targeting marginalised groups.
Fear-based rhetoric has been central to Trump's campaign. Advertisers have a responsibility to understand the impact of their messaging and the long-term effect it can have on communities and individuals. In the article, Lauren Kay-Lambert, co-managing director of Shape History states: "Marketers bear a crucial responsibility to ensure that advertising is truthful, ethical and avoids harmful stereotypes. Misleading messaging risks not only misinforming the public but igniting real-world anger and violence."
At the end of the article, advertisers are urged to lead with "empathy-driven messages that can counter divisive rhetoric." | | | New Report
Extreme Weather, Extreme Content: How Big Tech Enables Climate Disinformation in a World on the Brink – Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD) | | | CAAD's Extreme Weather, Extreme Content report reveals the growing problem of climate change disinformation which is hampering progress towards climate change. Extreme weather events have been subject to conspiracy theories, such as claims that wildfires are being used to clear land for renewables. The report makes it clear that to combat climate change, we not only need to reduce emissions, but we must stop the spread of disinformation that is being enabled and profited from by Big Tech companies.
The report reveals how Big Tech continues to allow "super-spreaders" to pollute their platforms with debunked claims attacking renewable energy and electric vehicles. Another key takeaway is that fossil fuels continue to be promoted, revealing that eight fossil fuel advertisers paid Meta at least $17.6 million for over 700 million impressions over the past year. | | | What We Are Listening To
Truth in the Age of AI: Fighting Climate Misinformation with Conscious Advertising - The Responsible Edge Podcast | | | CAN Co-Founder, Harriet Kingaby, was recently featured on The Responsible Edge Podcast to discuss the challenges with AI and climate misinformation. During the conversation, she points out that not only does AI enable the creation of misinformation, but it allows it to do so at scale and can subsequently be monetised through advertising.
Harriet highlights the industry's failure to regulate and get a handle on the ad tech market has led to AI's role in misinformation. However, she does pose that it can play a positive role in helping us identify patterns and create solutions that humans are unable to do. To achieve this, she encourages us to ask questions and reiterates the need to regulate this space, otherwise positive innovation cannot happen.
Harriet also covers the importance for businesses to assess their advertising supply chains and where their ads are placed to help change the social discourses around matters such as climate change.
"Businesses can shape cultural conversations through their media placements, and by doing so responsibly, they can help combat misinformation and champion integrity in climate communication". | | | CAN's Interview with Traci Dunne | | | CAN Co-Founder, Harriet Kingaby recently led an interview with Traci Dunne who has set up her own ESG consultancy, Transform-Renew-Sustain (TRS). In the interview, we learn why Traci set up the agency, the challenges advertisers face with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), and what steps they can take.
Traci discusses the disconnect between corporate ESG commitments and on the ground marketing operations, the first steps businesses can take, along with some words of encouragement and where to get support. At the end of the interview, Traci says:
"Be brave. No one has 'mastered' this, so if you're in a position to - push the boundaries. Explore what's possible - be that pioneering brand or agency that others aspire to be." | | | What We Are Reading
What can advertisers learn from the UN's Pact for the Future? - MAD//Fest | | | In his recent article for MAD//Fest, CAN Co-Founder Jake Dubbins discusses the UN's Pact for the Future This coincides with the UN's Global Principles for Information Integrity, to which CAN was one of the key contributors for.
The Pact calls on advertisers to drive transparency, adopt human-rights-based policies and safeguard the integrity of the work they put out. This includes: -
A top-down commitment to transparency and accountability in media planning: Leadership, including CMOs, CFOs, and CEOs, must know where advertising budgets go and what they support. By aligning their practices with consumer values, advertisers can create a trustworthy media environment for all. | | | New Guide
The Responsible Marketer's Guide to: The EmpCo and Green Claims Directives | | | CAN member Responsible Marketing Agency have launched a quick action guide for advertisers who trade in the EU and beyond. The guide includes action steps to consider in preparation for new EU rules concerning Greenwashing and product claims.
Suggested actions in the guide include: -
Finally, keep reviewing your processes and claims to prepare for more legislation, such as The Green Claims Directive, coming down the line With the first of the EU's directives, the Empco Directive, coming into effect in September 2026, it is imperative for advertisers to start making climate and sustainability commitments throughout their working practices. Along with Responsible Marketing Agency's guide, our sustainability manifesto is here to help you make the right steps forwards. | | | Watch out for more news on all things CAN related via LinkedIn. For any other questions or concerns, or if you would like to know more about joining, please feel free to contact us at hello@consciousadnetwork.org.
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Thank you for your ongoing support, The Conscious Advertising Network | | | | |
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