The Advertising Association promotes the role and rights of responsible advertising and its value to people, society, businesses and the economy. We represent UK advertisers, agencies, media owners and tech companies on behalf of the entire industry, acting as the connection between industry professionals and the politicians and policy-makers.

The Advertising Association focuses on major industry and policy areas that have huge ramifications on UK advertising. This section contains our work around public health, gambling advertising, data and e-privacy, trust, the digital economy and more.

Credos is the advertising industry’s independent think tank. It produces research, evidence and reports into the impact and effectiveness of and public and political response to advertising on behalf of UK advertisers in order to enable the industry to make informed decisions.

Front Foot is our industry’s member network of over 90 businesses across UK advertising. It aims to promote the role of responsible advertising and its value to people, society and the economy through a coalition of senior leaders from advertisers, agencies and media owners.

We run a number of events throughout the year, from our annual LEAD summit to the Media Business Course and regular breakfast briefings for our members. We are also the official UK representative for the world’s biggest festival of creativity – Cannes Lions.

Benefits

Five reasons why our network is on the Front Foot:

  1. The only pan-industry coalition of senior practitioners influencing the positive narrative as to advertising’s contribution to people, society and the economy.
  2. Shaping the collective long-term initiatives to address the AA’s broad objectives of responsible advertising, trust and growth.
  3. Informing Government departments on the impact of new measures affecting the industry, and channelling sector-specific requests.
  4. Providing thought leadership towards the AA’s core workstreams, including rebuilding public trust, climate action and inclusion.
  5. Cascading the AA’s best practice and training to wider teams within their organisations
Find out more about joining today
What it means to be on the Front Foot

“The Advertising Association provides a vital and pivotal role, supporting and advising the UK advertising industry. Their knowledge, insight, and passionate drive to consistently champion responsible advertising, ensuring inclusivity, sustainability and trust are at the heart of UK society, is what we as brands find invaluable to the success of our business. I’m really looking forward to further enhancing our partnership into 2024 as we continue to drive forward positive change within the industry.”

Vicky Handley, Lloyds Bank Brand Communications Lead
Our Board

Paul Bainsfair

Director General,
IPA

Natalie Bell

CEO,
Manning Gottlieb OMD
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James Best

Chair,
Credos

Matt Bush

SVP Global Agency Partnerships,
Smartly.io
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Dominic Carter

Group Chief Commercial Officer,
News UK

Simon Daglish

Deputy Managing Director, Commercial,
ITV plc

Miranda Hipwell

CEO,
adam&eveDDB

Pete Markey

Front Foot Chair, CMO,
Boots

Charlotte Frijns

Treasurer,
Advertising Association

Sarah Jenkins

Managing Director,
Saatchi&Saatchi London
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Phil Smith

Director General,
ISBA

Karen Stacey

CEO,
Digital Cinema Media

Stephen Woodford

Chief Executive,
Advertising Association