| Welcome to The Conscious Advertising Network (CAN) newsletter for July 2025. Here's what we're covering in this month's newsletter:
If you've got news related to CAN and our Guiding Principles, please do get in touch with us at hello@consciousadnetwork.org.
#TogetherWeCAN | | | UK Parliamentary Report Connects Harm to the Advertising Business Model | | | The UK's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee (SITC) have released a landmark report that makes a clear link between the digital advertising model and online harms - including the riots in Southport almost a year ago.
Digital advertising was identified as an issue within the report, with the business models of social media companies encouraging the algorithmic spread of engaging content. Dr. Middleton, from the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Portsmouth, said:
"Digital advertising is the financial engine behind much of the content we see online, including harmful misinformation. The current system is complex, opaque, and profit-driven, and has allowed disinformation networks and even criminal enterprises to thrive unchecked."
The report's findings include:
This landmark report sends a strong signal: transparency in the advertising supply chain is no longer a nice-to-have - it's a matter of national interest.
| | | New Report
From Ad to Action: LGBTQ+ Brand Authenticity Examined | | | A new global report from Windō, together with partners including LGBT+@Work and Outvertising, explores what brand authenticity looks like when it comes to LGBTQ+ inclusion. This means going beyond advertising to consider internal commitments, workplace culture, and long-term action.
From Ad to Action reviews eight LGBTQ+ campaigns across sectors including banking, FMCG, travel, and tech. Each campaign is analysed not only for its creative strength, but also for how well it aligns with the brand's internal values and workplace practices.
Brands like HSBC, BMO and dentsu were praised for backing up their messaging with clear DEI policies, inclusive workplace data, and public advocacy. Others, including Unilever and Starbucks, were recognised for powerful creative but urged to increase internal transparency to build further credibility.
The report offers eight practical lessons for brands, such as centring community voices, localising global campaigns, and aligning storytelling with lived values. The takeaway is clear. Authenticity earns trust, and inclusion must be demonstrated year-round, not just during campaign windows. | | Information Integrity on the COP30 Agenda  For the first time in the UNFCCC history, information integrity is set to be firmly on the agenda for COP30. Brazil has presented its agenda for conference taking place in Belém, Brazil, in November, and one of the areas that will be discussed is "information integrity in climate change matters."
Additionally, the COP30 Presidency (Brazil) launched a Mutirão – a global Call to Action - to support the promotion of information integrity on climate change. This is not just another consultation. It's an urgent, collaborative stocktake to surface impactful initiatives that protect the public from climate falsehoods and promote information integrity - including those shaped or sustained by advertising.
Through this Mutirão for Information Integrity on Climate Change, the private sector, civil society organizations, academic institutions, governments, public entities and international organizations are invited to join efforts and contribute to this global movement with concrete actions to promote climate information integrity.
The ask is clear: Submit your organisation's concrete actions to foster climate information integrity.
Learn more here | | | | South Asian Heritage Month | | | From 18th July to 17th August mark South Asian Heritage Month. This signals a time to commemorate, educate, and celebrate the incredible contributions South Asian and Asian Diaspora communities have made to British society.
The theme this year is "Routes to Routes", promoting an exploration of the rich journey of growth, and the evolving connections made through generations. Some of the key themes of exploration, as advised by The South Asian Heritage Trust include: heritage & tradition, identity & belonging, legacy & future generations, connection & community, and routes of influence.
Want to get involved? Access the 2025 Toolkit here. | | | New Resource
Responsible Marketing Manifesto 2.0 - giffgaff | | | giffgaff has published an updated Responsible Marketing Manifesto that reflects their evolving commitments to ethical advertising, transparency and community-first thinking.
The Manifesto 2.0 builds on giffgaff's long-standing values by setting clear expectations for how the brand will behave across creative, media, and partnerships. It includes commitments to inclusive representation, sustainability in content production, and a continued focus on privacy-conscious marketing.
This update is a reminder that responsibility in advertising is not a one-time statement. It is a living framework that evolves with the brand, its audiences and the challenges we all face. | | | Upcoming Event
Advertising: Who Cares? - October 2025 Summit | | | This October, the industry comes together in London for Advertising: Who Cares?, a summit focused on the intersection of ethics, creativity and accountability in modern advertising. CAN proudly champions the Advertising: Who Cares? Summit.
The event will explore what it really means to care, about audiences, supply chains, workers and the wider impact of marketing. Expect bold discussions on AI, sustainability, inclusion and how to build brands people trust.
Tickets are available now, with speakers and full agenda to be announced in the coming weeks. | | | New Report
The Consumer View - Women's Sport Trust | | | A new report from Women's Sport Trust reveals that sponsorships in women's sport are reaching more than half the UK adult population and are increasingly driving brand consideration and favourability.
The findings show that meaningful investment in women's sport is not just good PR, it delivers measurable brand impact. With 56 percent of UK adults now aware of at least one women's sport sponsor, the momentum is real and growing.
"Women's sport sponsorship works – but it works differently", says Tammy Parlour, CEO of Women's Sport Trust. "It demands a different lens, different activations, and a sharper focus on relevance, values, and storytelling."
"The brands seeing results are those showing up consistently and meaningfully. The message is clear: brands that act now can help shape the future of women's sport, and win consumer trust in the process." | | | This month the UEFA Women's Euros took place. England entered the tournament as reigning champions and made their way to the finals only to WIN the trophy once again, yet coverage remained inconsistent. A recent round-up from Campaign presents a mixed picture. While some campaigns have taken the opportunity to platform women's football meaningfully, others barely move beyond seasonal slogans.
One promising example is The Gym Kitchen's new partnership with Lioness Chloe Kelly, which reflects a longer-term alignment. Insights from SPORTFIVE also suggest the tournament is a milestone opportunity for sponsors to take a more active and credible role in shifting the structural imbalance in women's sport. Representation should not be limited to moments of attention. Inclusive advertising needs to be consistent, structural and backed by action. It is not just about who is on the pitch. It is about who is in the story, who is given a platform, and who is visible all year round. | | | Disability Pride Month 2025 | | | Disability Pride Month was celebrated throughout July. It marks an important moment for disabled people to come together as a community, and an opportunity to share experiences and start conversations.
To support the inclusion of disabled talent behind the scenes as well as on screen, Zebedee Talent have created a list of wheelchair-accessible studio spaces across London.
This resource helps producers and casting teams ensure that disabled cast and crew can access the facilities they need. It's part of Zebedee's broader mission to remove barriers in the advertising industry and make disability representation standard, not exceptional. | | | What We Are Reading
"It's Only Tokenism If You Stop": a look at AOP CRUNCH – InPublishing | | | At the latest AOP CRUNCH, CAN's spotlight was clear: performative inclusion can be avoided, but only through consistency, transparency and follow-through. CAN's Membership & Engagement Account Director, Nafissa Norris, presented CAN's Guiding Principles, and stressed that information integrity and inclusivity make sound business sense.
"There are so many untold stories and untargeted communities within the global majority. There's value in a sense of belonging, authenticity, and using positive emotions to drive attention."
As the article title puts it, "It's only tokenism if you stop." Continued action is what turns pledges into practice.
| | | New Report
The ROI of resilience: Advertising through economic uncertainty - Ebiquity | | | Ebiquity, in partnership with the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), have launched a new guide to support marketers and procurement leaders navigating the financial pressures of 2025.
The ROI of Resilience: Advertising through Economic Uncertainty makes a strong case for maintaining strategic media investment during downturns. Drawing on data from over 500 advertisers, the guide shows that brands who continue to invest while others cut back consistently emerge with stronger market share, brand equity and long-term value.
Instead of recommending blind spend, the guide focuses on smart reallocation. It highlights how high-return channels like TV, BVOD and out-of-home advertising can outperform short-term performance media, especially when media costs drop. Ebiquity also recommends revisiting measurement frameworks, reviewing agency contracts and addressing inefficiencies in digital spend to make budgets work harder.
The data is clear. Brands that increase their ad spend during recessions can grow market share by up to 60 percent, while those that cut see losses of up to 30 percent. In a market shaped by inflation, supply chain disruption and shifting consumer confidence, this guide offers a practical roadmap to protect brand value and unlock long-term growth. | | | New Partnership Announced Between ISBA and AAR | | | AAR and ISBA, both CAN supporter members, have announced a new partnership designed to strengthen client-agency relationships across the industry.
With the rise of complex marketing ecosystems and tighter procurement pressures, the partnership aims to create a more aligned, transparent, and sustainable approach to agency collaboration. Their joint initiative includes shared training, research, and new ways of working that support long-term effectiveness.
Victoria Fox, CEO at AAR said:
"As marketing continues to evolve at pace, the need for clarity, structure and shared learning has never been more important. Through our partnership with ISBA, we're offering members of the Future Operating Model community access to expert advice, practical insight and peer connection to help them navigate this change with confidence. We're delighted to bring our experience to support ISBA members on this critical journey." | | | New Resource
Cannes 2025: The Responsible Edit – Responsible Marketing Advisory | | | Following on from Cannes Lions, the Responsible Marketing Advisory has pulled together this resource which dives deep into Cannes Lions' longlists, shortlists, and winners to handpick the campaigns that brilliantly balance creativity with responsible marketing.
The curated edit spotlights 30 of the very best campaigns who are achieving both creative excellence and responsible growth, across 5 themes and offers learnings and actionable insights for marketers to 'make their own' and apply to their own campaigns.
You can download the resource, or watch the webinar as Alice, RMA's CSO, guides you through the winners that are reshaping our industry. | | | 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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