The argument between advertisers and media agencies in the USA over transparency rumbles on. Earlier Cog Blogs have commented on advertisers’ concerns over the agencies’ media buying practices, and their hiring (via their trade body the ANA) of two consultancies to look into the whole matter of where the money goes. Now, in what sounds like an attempt to get their retaliation in way before the consultants have even reported, the agencies’ trade body (the 4As) last week issued something called “Transparency Guiding Principles of Conduct.” In line with what seems to be something of a strained atmosphere between the two parties, the 4As did this without any discussion with their clients, whose trade body is as we said in mid-consultation and who might have had something interesting to input into what they consider to be the principles of transparency.
ANA vs. 4As: The Advertiser Agency Battle Rumbles On
