OUR STORY

2020

AANA launches the first of its new Capability platforms, the Brand Masters Program, a purpose-built initiative, designed by marketers for marketers to equip members’ teams with best-practice marketing skills to help drive business growth through the power of their brands.

2018: AANA celebrates 90 years

Seeking to reflect community expectations on portrayals of body image, AANA issues a new, detailed guidance for advertisers to ensure “Advertising must not portray an unrealistic ideal body image”.

2017

A new provision was added to the Code of Ethics ensuring advertising is “clearly distinguishable to the relevant audience” reflecting community expectations of advertising in both digital and traditional media – especially the emerging native and influencer advertising.

AANA wins the prestigious World Federation of Advertiser’s President’s Award for “Outstanding Leadership in the Marketing Industry” for its Media Contract Guidance Note created with the aim of achieving better transparency in media buying.

2016

AANA attended the NSW Parliament Inquiry into the Sexualisation of Children and Young People leading to an amendment of the Code of Ethics to include an outright prohibition on the sexualisation of people under the age of 18 in advertising and marketing communication.

2014

The first AANA RESET conference was held in Sydney. RESET becomes an annual networking highlight for Australian marketers and advertisers featuring international speakers and challenging accepted marketing practices.

2009

AANA advocates a healthy lifestyle, not Ad Bans. AANA engaged with Health Minister Roxon to urge the Government to increase its support for healthy lifestyle campaigns, not ad bans, as a means of encouraging moderation in alcohol consumption.

2007

The AANA launches the Advertising & Marketing Communications to Children Code. The object of this Code is to ensure that advertisers and marketers develop and maintain a high sense of social responsibility in advertising and marketing to children in Australia.

2006

AANA establishes the Food and Beverage Code. The object of this Code is to ensure that advertisers and marketers develop and maintain a high sense of social responsibility in advertising and marketing food and beverage products in Australia.

2003: AANA celebrates 75 years

AANA updates and reviews the Code of Ethics.

Celebratory members’ forum and conference showcasing 75 years of member ads.

1998

AANA develops an industry benchmark Advertiser Code of Ethics and a new complaints handling bureau.  This voluntary self-regulatory code to enhanced standards throughout the advertising and marketing sector. The code aims to ensure consumer confidence and public trust is maintained in an ethical and responsible way.

This new set of principles guided the development of industry specific advertising codes and incorporated representatives of radio, television, print, cinema, outdoor advertising industries, and groups representing the alcohol beverages, therapeutic goods, and slimming products industries.

1996

AANA takes over from the Media Council Australia, establishing itself as the replacement self-regulatory advertising code and complaints structure for the advertising industry, its clients, and consumers.

1978

AANA made a submission to a senate committee on the impact of advertising on children.

1977

Trade Practices Act amended thanks to the recommendations of the AANA

1974

AANA holds conference of “marketing problems in the mid 70’s”. Explained the Trade Practices Act to members in a regulatory (Marketing and the Law) and practical application.

1964

AANA compiles and adopts the Australian Code of Advertising Standards.

1962

AANA successfully opposes government legislation designed to eliminate brand name advertising.

1956-1958

AANA worked in the interest of advertisers in the development of TV, the cost of using the medium and making commercials. Other achievements included establishing the Circulation Audit Board and securing protection for advertisers against agency failure to pay media accounts.

1948

Advertising Material Sales Tax reduced from 25% to 10% after lobbying by AANA.

1940

War effort mobilises advertising industry to protect Government campaigns led by the Committee of National Advertisers.

1939

Code of Standards for advertising Medicines established and adopted by manufacturers.

AANA was formed in 1928

AANA was formed in 1928 when Phil Warner, Director of Advertising, Sales Promotion Manager and Demonstration Organiser at Berlei, chaired a meeting of 12 manufacturers with the objective to protect the common interests of advertisers. A charter included the objective “elimination of fraudulent or otherwise objectionable advertising, increasing thereby the public confidence in nationally advertised goods and services”. The association championed the voice of advertisers, established links with government, took on cost of advertising concerns, media circulation and resolved to develop a voluntary code of ethics and improved market research.