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Dive Brief:
- Two of marketing’s top trade bodies shared a joint statement criticizing recent comments made by Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) CEO David Cohen.
- At the IAB’s Annual Leadership Meeting (ALM) last week, Cohen described forces driving changes in the data-privacy landscape, such as Apple, as “extremists.” The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) in their note Tuesday said they reject the IAB’s “acerbic tone.”
- The groups added that they believe Cohen’s rhetoric flattens some of the nuances surrounding data privacy. They emphasized the need to clean up industry messes without “demonizing” outside parties like Congress that are rolling out more stringent regulations affecting marketers.
Dive Insight:
Cohen’s ALM keynote has caused a stir by invoking intense political language to drag Apple and lawmakers who have data privacy in their crosshairs. Now, two of marketing’s most influential trade organizations have distanced themselves from the comments while calling for “constructive debate” and collaborative solutions. The ANA and 4A’s represent marketers and ad agencies, respectively.
“The 4A’s and ANA do not believe that the IAB’s posture is sufficiently balanced,” their joint statement reads. “It appears to be a tirade against the forces that disagree with our industry.”
The groups took specific issue with…
