| Welcome to The Conscious Advertising Network (CAN) newsletter for August 2025. Here's what we're covering in this month's newsletter:
-
A new report from CCDH on how platforms profit from misinformation during extreme weather, and articles to read on greenhushing and engineered confusion - CAN Co-Founder Harriet Kingaby joins the judging panel for the Ad Net Zero Awards, and will be speaking at ERA26 in October
-
An exciting new initiative from the European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA), bringing the CAN Children's Rights and Wellbeing Guide to life. -
A new resource from the United Nation Global Compact, and ISBA's new Pitch Consultant Guide -
Jake Dubbins and Dr Karen Middleton on algorithmic harms in The Media Leader
If you've got news related to CAN and our Guiding Principles, please do get in touch with us at hello@consciousadnetwork.org.
#TogetherWeCAN | | | New Research
Pervasive-by-design - Molly Rose Foundation | | | Almost eight years on from the death of Molly Russell, Molly Rose Foundation has published new research showing that harmful algorithmic recommendations remain widespread on social media platforms. Accounts created as 15-year-old girls were repeatedly exposed to suicide, self-harm, and depression content on TikTok and Instagram.
Disturbingly, this harmful material was often placed alongside adverts from major brands, including fast food chains, fashion retailers popular with teenagers, and even UK universities. This reveals how advertising revenue continues to incentivise platforms to push unsafe content at scale, while putting young people at serious risk.
CAN co-founder Harriet Kingaby said:
"This report exposes the shocking harmful content young people are exposed to on social media platforms, and highlights the role of advertising in incentivising its distribution. Platforms are profiting off this content, and advertisers are often unknowingly helping to fund it. The need for transparency could not be clearer: advertisers need to take control of their media supply chains. Advertisers cannot shy away from the role they play in ensuring young people remain safe online."
The report, Pervasive-by-design, urges advertisers to use their influence to demand stronger protections for young people and to ensure they have log level data about where their ads end up. It calls for more transparency from platforms and asks brands to sign up to CAN's Children's Rights and Wellbeing Guide and Guiding Principles as a minimum standard.
| | | UWE Bristol Becomes First UK University to Join the Conscious Advertising Network | | | We are delighted to welcome the UWE Bristol as a new CAN member. UWE Bristol is the UK's first higher education institution to join CAN, and as part of its membership, UWE Bristol has committed to adhering to the CAN's Guiding Principles.
Charlotte Hopes, Head of Marketing at UWE Bristol, said:
"Working towards CAN membership in collaboration with SMRS made sense - not only because it reflects our brand values, but it recognises a mutual desire to commit to best practice in ethical marketing. We're really proud to be the first UK university to become a full member and hope that this encourages other HE institutions to join us and help to drive positive change in the advertising industry."
CAN Co-Founder Harriet Kingaby said:
"We're thrilled to welcome UWE as a CAN member and pioneer in the higher education sector. Their partnership with SMRS shows just what is possible when agencies and brands work together. We hope that this will inspire more Bristol based agencies, and higher education organisations to consider the business, sustainability and ethical benefits of bringing transparency to their advertising supply chains." | | | What We Are Reading
Brands must wake up to algorithmic harm – The Media Leader | | | In The Media Leader, CAN Co-Founder Jacob Dubbins and Dr Karen Middleton reflect on the recent UK government Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms report. The report highlights deep flaws in the Online Safety Act's ability to address the harms caused by algorithmically promoted lies and hate, and points to the powerful role of digital advertising in incentivising these harms.
Dubbins and Dr Middleton call on brands to recognise the damage caused by algorithmic amplification of harmful content. They argue that advertisers have both the responsibility and the power to influence safer digital environments by reassessing where their budgets are spent and demanding accountability from platforms.
"This isn't just a tech problem. It's a business model problem. And advertisers must be part of the solution."
| | | New Report
Extreme Weather: How a storm of false and misleading claims about extreme weather events spread unchecked on social media putting lives at risk – Centre for Countering Digital Hate | | | The Center for Countering Digital Hate has published a new report highlighting how false claims about catastrophic weather events are spreading online and how social media companies are failing to act. The findings reveal that platforms are not only allowing harmful misinformation to remain but are also profiting from it. The report calls for stronger policies and enforcement to protect public safety as climate-related disasters increase in frequency and severity.
"This report documents how Meta, X, and YouTube enable and profit from the spread of false information during disasters, allowing conspiracy theorists to drown out reliable news sources and emergency responders. CCDH researchers found that these platforms applied fact-checks or community notes to fewer than 2% of the 300 misleading posts analyzed across platforms. The overwhelming majority of posts spreading lies about disaster response, climate change causes, and emergency aid were left unmoderated before being algorithmically boosted and monetized."
- CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed | | | What We Are Reading
Engineered Confusion: The $100 Million Threat To Business Integrity – Forbes | | | CAN Co-Founder Harriet Kingaby has been featured in Forbes, contributing to an in-depth piece exploring the growing challenge of misinformation and the risks it poses to businesses worldwide. The article examines how engineered confusion is being used to undermine trust, distort facts, and threaten commercial integrity. Harriet shares her perspective on why brands must take an active role in safeguarding information integrity, both to protect their own reputation and to contribute to a healthier information ecosystem.
Harriet explains in the piece: "Advertisers are pouring money into a black box. There are so many middlemen in programmatic ad tech that brands have no idea where their ads land." | | | Outvertising Live will take place on 19 November, bringing together industry leaders, creatives and advocates to champion LGBTQ+ inclusion in advertising. The event promises inspiring talks, workshops and networking opportunities, all aimed at empowering attendees to drive meaningful representation across campaigns and workplaces.
Tickets are now available, so don't miss your chance to connect with 200+ marketers who are shaping a more inclusive industry. | | | New Resource
CMO Blueprint for Sustainable Growth – United Nations Global Compact | | | A new resource from the United Nations Global Compact presents a unifying, principles-based framework, designed to guide Chief Marketing Officers and Senior Marketing Leaders in embedding sustainability into their core marketing strategies. The CMO Blueprint for Sustainable Growth provides actionable steps, case studies, and essential resources to drive sustainable growth and meaningful impact. | | | New Initiative
EACA Inspires Young Creatives Across Europe to Protect Children Online | | | The European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA) is launching a pan-European competition with the support the 5Rights Foundation to put young creatives at the forefront of children's digital safety.
Kicking off on 23 September, emerging talent across Europe are invited to design bold, imaginative campaigns that highlight the urgent need for a safer digital environment while bringing the CAN Children's Rights and Wellbeing Guide to life.
Developed and led by EACA's Young Board, the winning idea will be launched across Europe in 2026, turning creativity into purpose, action, and lasting impact for good.
Are you an EACA member? Don't miss out – join the webinar launch and take part in the competition. CAN Co-Founder Harriet Kingaby will be speaking at the webinar.
Are you not yet am EACA member? Please contact info@eaca.eu to learn more about partnership opportunities. | | | What We Are Reading
Greenhushing, greenwashing and feeling green around the gills: Understanding the new sustainability regulations – WARC | | | In a recent WARC article, Lameya Chaudhury of Lucky Generals, a CAN member, explores how new sustainability regulations are reshaping the advertising industry. The piece examines the fine line between genuine climate action and misleading environmental claims, and how "greenhushing", staying silent on sustainability for fear of scrutiny, can be as damaging as greenwashing. Chaudhury offers practical insights for brands navigating this evolving regulatory landscape. | | | Mirrors or Movers Conference | | | The Responsible Media Forum is hosting the 13th edition of the Mirrors or Movers conference on September 30th, which is taking place at Informa (240 Blackfriars Road, London). Mirrors or Movers is the world's premier conference dedicated to investigating, debating and challenging the impacts of media content.
This year's conference will discover ways of 'bridging the disconnect,' inspired by the growing divide within societies and between people and nature, and the uprise of AI. The event will delve into a variety of topics that emerge from this theme, including how media can bridge these widening gaps and pave the way for a more cohesive future. | | CAN's Annual Survey Winner  We have wrapped up our Annual Survey for CAN members and can't wait to share the results with you soon. Every year one of our participating members is chosen at random to receive a prize for the insights shared through the survey. A big congrats to Mark Howarth from MCH London this year! "Huge thanks to Blessing and the brilliant CAN team - not just for the thoughtful (and thoroughly ethical!) prize hamper, but for everything you do. As a founding member of CAN, it's been a pleasure to watch the organisation grow with such purpose, integrity and impact. Keep up the fantastic work - it's making a real difference." - Mark Howarth, Founder & MD, MCH London – The Responsible Advertising Agency | | | | CAN Co-Founder Harriet Kingaby will be speaking at ERA26, the exclusive annual event hosted by CAN Member Ebiquity, focused on Effective and Responsible Advertising in 2026.
Taking place on October 7th at the historic Royal Institution, ERA26 brings together over 300 brand leaders for an afternoon of expert-led briefings on the future of advertising amid shifting social, political, and economic landscapes.
Harriet will join a world-class line-up to explore what responsible advertising looks like in 2026 and beyond and share insights on how brands can rise to the challenge. | | | New Resource
Pitch Consultant Guide – ISBA | | | ISBA, in collaboration with the IPA and the Alliance of Independent Agencies, has launched a new Pitch Consultant Guide to promote transparency and best practice in agency selection. The guide aims to foster fairness, efficiency and strong working relationships between advertisers and agencies, setting a clear standard for the industry.
The guide offers practical insights into: -
Key questions to ask before appointing a consultant, including revenue transparency, impartiality, and agency access. | | | Harriet Kingaby Announced as Ad Net Zero Awards Judge | | | CAN Co-Founder Harriet Kingaby will join the judging panel for the Ad Net Zero Awards, recognising excellence in sustainable advertising. Harriet is returning as a judge for a third year in a row. The esteemed judging panel - made up of top industry leaders, innovators, and sustainability experts - is ready to review the most inspiring, effective, and responsible advertising from around the world.
The shortlist will be announced on September 18th, with the awards ceremony taking place on November 13th at The Londoner. | | | Bloom Celebrates South Asian Heritage Month | | | As part of South Asian Heritage Month (July 18 – August 17), Bloom shared stories that honour identity, heritage, and belonging. In one such piece, CAN's Head of Membership & Engagement Nafissa Norris (who is also Bloom UK's Inclusion, Support & Social Group Manager) reflected on how her South Asian roots have shaped her values and her commitment to driving inclusive, ethical practices in advertising and beyond. Her words are a reminder that representation is most powerful when it draws from lived experience and inspires change across the 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.
We welcome new supporters and members to join our growing collective to change the way we think about business ethics and human rights. Subscribe to our newsletter here.
Thank you for your ongoing support, The Conscious Advertising Network | | | | |
0 Komentar untuk "The CAN August 2025 Newsletter"