December 2021
Ad Standards eNews Holiday Edition
Happy holidays to you and yours, from your friends at Ad Standards. We hope you experience all the fun, happiness and warmth of the season!
To help support Canadians during this festive time, we've made a donation to nabs, a unique charity specifically designed to support the health and well-being of all individuals in the media, marketing, and communications industries.
Influencer Marketing Research 2021
Ad Standards would like to thank Camille Kennedy and Caddle for collaborating on this influencer marketing consumer research.

Some highlights from the findings include:

  • 65% of respondents use social media apps daily.
  • Most respondents agree that it is important to know whether or not a social media post is sponsored.
  • 46% trust influencers more if there are regulations in place.
The Global DEI Census: Canada Summary Report
Ad Standards members participated in this global survey, designed to measure the status of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the international marketing workforce.


Some key findings from the Canada-specific report:

  • The most common forms of discrimination were reported on the basis of age and family status.
  • There is strong evidence of pay gaps at almost every level of seniority for both gender and ethnicity, but markedly so at the junior levels.
  • Eighty-one percent of respondents agree that their company is actively taking steps to be more diverse and inclusive.

The Ad Standards Scholarship
Each year, Ad Standards offers two $1500 scholarships for post-secondary students!

To apply, students must be enrolled in an undergraduate advertising or marketing program at a Canadian university or college. One scholarship is open to students attending a primarily English post-secondary institution and one is open to students attending a primarily French post-secondary institution.

Successful applicants display a commitment to volunteerism, a record of academic excellence, and an interest in pursuing a career in advertising or marketing.

The application deadline for the 2021/2022 academic year is February 28, 2022.

To learn more about the scholarship and application process, please visit: adstandards.ca/scholarship
Clearance Services Check Mark
In October 2020, we announced the launch of our updated Preclearance check mark logo, designed to communicate in digital, video and print formats that an ad or information message has been vetted by Ad Standards Clearance Services. The response has been tremendous and we thank those who consistently use the check mark across platforms!

For those not yet familiar, the check mark is a visual symbol of compliance with the rules, guidelines, codes, laws and policies for specific product categories. Look for it on any ad or information piece that has been precleared, including all communication about alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, food/non-alcoholic beverages, health products, and of course, any broadcast messaging directed at children (excluding Quebec).

It is an easy way to assure everyone that the associated content has been reviewed, and that it checks out!

Learn more about the initiative at precleared.ca.
CMA Marketing Talent Survey 2022
Ad Standards, in partnership with the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA), invites you to participate in the second CMA DEI survey of marketers.
 
The purpose of the research is to understand how diverse, equitable and inclusive the Canadian marketing community is for individuals at all stages of their careers. The findings will help us understand how we can cultivate an environment that is inclusive, respectful and supportive of all.
 
Other partners involved in this initiative include:
  • Strategy
  • L'Association Marketing Québec
  • Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC)
  • Black Talent Initiative
  • Sponsorship Marketing Council Canada
  • Marketing News Canada
 
An independent research firm is managing survey responses to ensure complete anonymity and confidentiality. All reporting or references to the survey results will be aggregated.
 
If you experience technical difficulties or have other questions about the survey, please contact Elizabeth Hall ([email protected] or 647.960.7477)
 
Thank you in advance for participating.
 
Upcoming Ad Standards and Industry Events
Date : Les jeudis 13 et 27 janvier 2022
Heure : 14 h à 15 h (HE)
Lieu : Zoom
Gratuit

The Canadian Institute (CI) is pleased to announce that the 28th Annual Advertising & Marketing Law conference is set to return virtually on January 18-19, 2022. This 'go-to’ legal conference for advertising and marketing professionals features several Ad Standards staff including Catherine Bate, Chief Legal and Policy Officer; Yamina Bennacer, Director, Standards; and Monique Gagné, Senior Law Clerk. The event will capture the latest changes to the law and discusses pitfalls of common advertising and marketing practices. Members should contact Randy Sageman
([email protected]) to receive a 10% discount code on registration.

Clearance Services Webinar Preview
Coming in early 2022, Ad Standards Clearance Services will present updated installments of our food advertising webinar series. The team will address common questions regarding trending claims as well as composition, quality, methods of production, nutrient content and health claims in Canadian food advertising. This presentation will be of particular interest to individuals working in regulatory affairs, marketing, advertising, and agencies. Stay tuned for more info.

Advertiser Disputes
Save the Date! On Thursday, Feb 10, 2022, Ad Standards' own Catherine Bate joins Jennifer McKenzie from Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP for a practical discussion about how to navigate the dispute process. Watch for registration opening in January.
Welcome to New Ad Standards Members and Official Representatives
Aird & Berlis LLP
Official Representative: Jennifer Bishop, Partner
Aird & Berlis provides strategic legal and business advice in all principal areas of business law, including corporate finance; banking; insolvency and restructuring; energy; environmental; infrastructure/P3; technology and intellectual property; litigation; workplace law; municipal and land use planning; real estate; and tax.
Cassels Brock and Blackwell LLP
Official Representative: Jennifer McKenzie, Partner
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP is a Canadian law firm that has been focused on serving the transaction, advocacy, and advisory needs of the country’s most dynamic business sectors for over 130 years.
Feld Entertainment
Official Representative: Abigail Kimmelman, Media Traffic Coordinator
Feld Entertainment® produces and presents live touring family entertainment experiences. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in more than 75 countries on six continents and include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, Marvel Universe LIVE!, Disney On Ice, Disney Live!, Sesame Street Live!, Jurassic World Live and Trolls The Experience.
Membership Renewals
Ad Standards’ 2022 membership renewal invoices rolled out in November. Thank you to all our members who continue to support responsible and effective advertising self-regulation in Canada. We look forward to working with you again.

If you have any questions about your membership renewal, please contact Randy Sageman, Director, Member Relations, at [email protected] or 416 961-6311 x 241.
Did You Know?
There are a number of resources and opportunities available for Ad Standards Members.

  • Global Reach - Ad Standards is a proud member of ICAS and partners with over 50 global organizations involved with advertising industry self-regulation.
  • Educational Events - Ad Standards hosts forums, workshops, seminars and supports other industry events to raise awareness of emerging advertising industry news and trends. Frequently, we are able to offer discounted (or complimentary) registration for our members to such events. Check out our Event Calendar periodically to stay abreast of available opportunities.
  • Virtual Coffee? - We’re always eager to catch-up, learn and to educate. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to book a call or presentation.
  • Resources - Use Ad Standards’ extensive online library as a one-stop repository of information regarding advertising industry self-regulation. In addition to Ad Complaints Reports and the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards and related documents, you will also find Ad Standards consumer research, current guidelines and important information pertaining to advertising preclearance.
Ad Standards Member Logo
We encourage Ad Standards members to use our specially designed Membership Logo in their communications materials. Using this logo is an easy way to enhance consumer trust in your ads, as our Consumer Research indicated that a majority of Canadians (84%) are more likely to trust advertisements from Ad Standards members.

Contact Randy Sageman for access to the logo.
Ad Standards | 416-961-6311 | [email protected]