As a leader in self-regulation, the ANA, through the Center for Ethical Marketing, helps businesses build brand and consumer trust through best practices, guidelines, guidance, compliance services, and committees. The Center seeks to educate, elevate, and advance accountability for the industry and mediate consumer complaints.
Be an ethics advocate for your company or organization – join the Ethics Code Steering Committee, ANA Ethics Policy Committee or contact staff to learn how you can get more involved.
ANA Ethics Code of Marketing Best Practices
We're excited to unveil the new ANA Ethics Code of Marketing Best Practices, a framework of high-level principles, guidelines, resources, and examples of ethical marketing and advertising best practices applicable to all entities engaged in marketing, advertising, and fundraising – shaped by your peers on the Ethics Code Steering Committee. Be an ethics advocate for your organization and check-out this comprehensive ethical framework which offers a new roadmap for brands to engage in ethical marketing across both existing standards and emerging areas like AI. The Ethics Code Steering Committee will periodically reconvene to further enhance the Code.
If you are interested in participating in this effort, please contact us at ethics@ana.net.
Our Services
Go beyond what's legal – do what's right.
Global marketing companies and service providers: select ANA as your approved mediator and compliance provider for international data transfers.
View the annual ANA Compliance Reports:
Subscribe to ANA’s data hygiene tools, which can save thousands of dollars in prospect promotional mailings while being responsive to consumers, building brand trust, and helping the environment.
ANA serves as one of the compliance arms to the Digital Advertising Alliance’s interest-based advertising opt-out program. Contact staff with any compliance questions.
Connect with the ANA Community
Stay ahead of the regulatory curve.
ANA Center for Ethical Marketing Briefing Request
These briefings are an opportunity for members to ask questions and learn more about the ANA's compliance services, resources, and hot topics of the day, including:
- Self-regulatory efforts across digital, AI, direct marketing, email, and more.
- ANA's data hygiene tools, such as our signature prospect mail opt-out list, DMAchoice.org – a trusted best practice in the industry used nationally by top brands and data providers.
- Data privacy and compliance as the cookie-less world takes hold, and
- Your questions!
Ethics Policy Committee
Open to all ANA members with a marketing background and interest in ethics, best practices, and related compliance topics, the Ethics Policy Committee meets quarterly to review pending activities at the federal and state levels, review and provide input to shaping the Guidelines for Ethical Business Practices and related ethical standards, and learn about best practices and key topics in ethical marketing across the marketing ecosystem.
| January 16 |
Ethics Policy Via Zoom |
| March 13 |
Ethics Policy Via Zoom |
Ethics Webinar Series
There are currently no scheduled webinars for this series.
Take Ethical Marketing to Another Level
Be an ethics advocate for your company or organization – join our LinkedIn group to share best practices, tips, and your concerns about ethical marketing practices. Help us help others do the right thing.
Ethics Issue Alerts
The latest issues in marketing and ethics.
Trick or Treat: Consumers with Respect and Ethical Marketing
As Halloween approaches, don’t let scary marketing practices haunt your sweet ethical marketing campaigns. Treat consumers with respect and instill brand trust all year. The Center for Ethical Marketing warns against these five ghastly marketing practices and offers tips for handing out ethical marketing treats:
Ensuring the Responsible Flow of Data Across Borders – New Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework Launched Globally
Global marketers and data providers are celebrating the announcement and impending launch of the long-awaited Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF) to replace the former Privacy Shield, which was invalidated by the courts in 2020. The Swiss-U.S. DPF will go into force on September 15, 2024, and follows the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework which was enacted in July 2023.
Additional Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission
Best Practices and Compliance Resources
A robust data compliance and accountability tool kit to elevate industry standard practices.
Ethical Business Practice Guidelines and Guidance
List Management Tools
Effective and affordable data hygiene management and compliance tools to help you respect consumer marketing preferences and accelerate your sustainability journey.
Do Not Contact Lists:
- Deceased Do Not Contact List
- Do Not Call List (National)
- Do Not Call List (Pennsylvania)
- Do Not Call List (Wyoming)
- Email Opt-Out List
Additional Tools:
Key Regulators, Regulations, Industry Partners, and Government Agencies
ANA Members Recognize Ethical Practices as a Key to Success
Filing Complaints
The ANA is interested in hearing from you if you believe a direct marketing promotion or practice is questionable and may warrant a formal review by staff or the ANA Ethics Review Committee. The ANA receives and investigates complaints against member and nonmember organizations.
Additional Complaint Resources and Reports
Take the Next Step
Contact the Center for Ethical Marketing team for any questions or concerns