American Advertising Federation - Advertising Ethics and Principles
Federation History
The American Advertising Federation (AAF) traces its origin back to beginning of the 20th century, when local advertising clubs joined together to form the Pacific Coast Advertising Men’s Association in the West and the National Federation of Advertising Clubs of the East Coast. These two regional groups evolved to become the Advertising Association of the West (AAW) and the Advertising Federation of America (AFA). Both associations operated independently to represent industry interests until in February 1967, the Advertising Federation of America and the Advertising Association of the West joined forces, creating the unifying voice for advertising known as the American Advertising Federation (AAF).
Today the American Advertising Federation, headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a Western Region office in Newport Beach, Calif., is the trade association that represents 50,000 professionals in the advertising industry. AAF's 130 corporate members are advertisers, agencies and media companies that comprise the nation's leading brands and corporations. AAF has a national network of 210 ad clubs and connects the industry with an academic base through its 210 college chapters.
AAF Ethical Principles History
The original version of Advertising Code of American Business was developed and initially distributed by: the Advertising Federation of America; Advertising Association of the West; the Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.; and endorsed by the International Newspaper Advertising Executives, Inc., of which this Newspaper is a member.
The document is dated as of June 23, 1964. Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions makes it available from their website.
The most current version of AAF Advertising Ethics and Principles was adopted by the American Advertising Federation Board of Directors, March 2, 1984, San Antonio, Texas.
AAF Ethics and Principles Document
AAF Advertising Ethics and Principles - Full text
PDF Version
Additional resources and links
Selected blog posts
- PRSA and AAF Codes of Ethics
- Ethics – PRSA vs AAF
- Honesty v. Truth in Different Codes of Ethics
- AAF Ethics vs. PRSA Ethics vs. Arthur Page
