Nearly Half of Marketers Don't Know Where Their Ads Are Running, Says SNCR

NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In new research, the Society for New Communications Research of The Conference Board (SNCR) concludes that big brand marketers are reluctant players in the world of online misinformation, or fake news. Nearly 50 percent of marketers do not know where their ads are running, due to programmatic advertising (or ad tech) strategies that tag and follow people throughout the internet. Although digital advertisers, marketers and social media managers appear aware of the problem and concerned about the possible negative impact to their brands due to being associated with fake news, they seem unsure and ambivalent about what should change—and reluctant to alter their own business practices to rectify the problem.              

"Marketers are only just coming to terms with their role in facilitating the fake news crisis," says SNCR Fellow Jeff Pundyk, author of the study and chief strategy officer at Techonomy. "The study shows they have real concerns about brand safety, but are reluctant to change their business practices."

The survey of more than 100 advertisers, marketers and social media managers was conducted between August and November, and gathered responses from those responsible for managing advertising, paid content marketing, paid social, native and/or programmatic advertising. It explored these professionals' awareness and attitudes regarding their contribution to the problem of fake news—particularly how ad-supported media models enable it—and what they plan to do about it. This release represents the first phase of SNCR's research into the issue of fake news.

To help survey participants fully understand the meaning of "fake news," and enable them to consider their responses to the questions more accurately, SNCR used this definition for survey purposes: "Content that lacks trusted sources and often uses sensational headlines to encourage the consumption and spread of unverified or false information. It can be left- or right- leaning. Such content typically masquerades as legitimate news reports—and is often supported by ads, sometimes without the knowledge of the advertiser."

Key findings include:

• 87 percent of respondents believe it is moderately likely to very likely that programmatic advertising could place sponsors next to fake news content
• 88 percent of respondents believe adjacency to fake news could be problematic for an advertiser, with 95 percent of those marketers believing it erodes customer trust in the brand
• Almost 70 percent say they have personally seen fake news on digital or social channels within the past month of them taking the survey
• 86 percent cite editorial content as the source of fake news
• 59 percent cite native advertising or paid content marketing as the source of fake news
• If their ads appear adjacent to fake news, more than 80 percent believe their brands will be harmed by the affiliation
• Nearly 70 percent say they have a negative or very negative impression of the advertiser in those positions

When asked who should take the lead in solving the problem, the highest proportion of respondents say publishers and the social media platforms. Whereas nearly 80 percent of respondents say they would "probably" or "definitely" reduce their level of spend with partners that include unreliable sites, they are ambivalent about joining "private markets," closed exchanges that include only known and vetted sites. They are split on returning to direct relationships with brand-safe publishers, with 46 percent saying they "probably" would return to premium publishers and another 30 percent saying they were unsure.

"Advertising models have helped the world's most valuable brands grow, but at the same time they have created a murky underbelly of misinformation that is threatening our most valuable brands, communities, and democratic institutions," notes Jen McClure, SNCR founder and chair of the Advisory Board. "Understanding these negative consequences is the first step in developing strategies to mitigate the problem."

About SNCR
The Society for New Communications Research of The Conference Board (SNCR) is dedicated to the advanced study of the latest developments in new and emerging communications tools and technologies, including AI, digital, social media, mobile, and virtual reality, and their effect on business, media, health, law, culture, and society. SNCR's Fellows include a leading group of futurists, scholars, business and communications leaders, members of the media and technologists from around the globe—all collaborating together on research initiatives, educational offerings, and the establishment of standards and best practices. Established as an independent not‑for-profit institution in 2005, SNCR joined The Conference Board in 2015 to operate as part of its larger organization. Visit www.conferenceboard.org/sncr for more information.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE BOARD
The Conference Board is a global, independent business membership and research association working in the public interest. Our mission is unique: To provide the world's leading organizations with the practical knowledge they need to improve their performance and better serve society. Winner of the Consensus Economics 2016 Forecast Accuracy Award (U.S.), The Conference Board is a non-advocacy, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org

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