European digital media and advertising industries welcome U.S. self-regulatory initiative for online behavioural advertising

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brussels, 3 July 2009. The undersigned associations, representing the digital media and advertising industries in Europe, welcome the self-regulatory initiative for online behavioral advertising announced yesterday by a coalition of U.S. industry organisations comprising the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4As), the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB), the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB).

 

Together with ongoing efforts of leading advertising companies and sectors in several markets, the U.S. self-regulatory initiative (http://www.the-dma.org/government/ven-principles%2007-01-09%20FINAL.pdf) will help inform discussions and complement initiatives on online behavioural advertising currently taking place in Europe. We are working closely with our sister trade associations in the U.S., as well as those in other markets, to ensure a coherent industry approach to an issue that is by its very nature global.

 

We take seriously our shared responsibility with regard to online data protection and consumer privacy and are committed to explore sustainable solutions to facilitate the development of the online advertising market, to the mutual benefit of both the consumer and business.

 

The fair information principles, particularly transparency and control, which are at the heart this initiative and bedrocks of the European privacy framework, will be key to ensuring that consumers are aware of and have meaningful choices regarding online behavioural advertising practices. We recognise that any European initiative will necessarily need to reflect the specific European legal context, which differs from that in the U.S.

 

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Please find this press release here in DOC or PDF. 

 

 

 

EACA – European Association of Communication Agencies: Dominic Lyle, dominic.lyle@eaca.be

 

EADP – European Association of Directory and Database Publishers: Stéphanie Verilhac, stephanieverilhac@eadp.org

 

EPC – European Publishers’ Council: Angela Mills, angela.mills@wade.uk.net

 
IAB Europe – Interactive Advertising Bureau: Kimon Zorbas, vp@iabeurope.eu

 

WFA – World Federation of Advertisers: Malte Lohan, m.lohan@wfanet.org   

 

 

FEDMA, the Federation of European Direct and Interactive Marketing, represents the sector in all its forms at European level. FEDMA's objective is to protect and promote the European direct and interactive marketing sector by creating, through representation, self-regulation and information, acceptance of and confidence in direct and interactive marketing within a healthy commercial and legislative environment in which the sector can profitably operate and develop. Representing the interests of over 18,000 companies, FEDMA is the single voice dedicated to building the business of cross-border direct and interactive marketing, both through its vast network of businesses within and beyond Europe, and by representation within the EU institutions and other international bodies. All our members enjoy a wide range of services.

 

For further information please visit www.fedma.org

 

Please click here for a complete list of direct marketing associations in Europe and elsewhere affiliated to FEDMA.