Faculty from Michigan State University’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences participated in this year’s Institute for Advertising Ethics’ (IAE) Global Ethics Day, “Ethics Re-Envisioned – Trust at Every Touchpoint,” sharing research and insights aimed at promoting ethical standards across the advertising industry.
The event, held in New York City and live-streamed on LinkedIn, brought together academics and industry leaders to explore ethical challenges in advertising, particularly amid the rise of artificial intelligence and rapidly evolving consumer expectations.
MSU attendees included Anna McAlister, assistant professor in advertising and public relations (ADPR) and IAE director of curriculum and assessment; Juan Mundel, associate professor in ADPR and IAE advisory council member; Jef Richards, professor in ADPR and IAE advisory council member; and Aileen Torrance, J.D., assistant professor in ADPR and IAE community engagement specialist.
McAlister and Richards delivered the opening speech, presenting their award-winning research on the effectiveness of the Certified Ethical Advertising Executive, an online certification course that trains participants in ethical advertising practices. The study, co-authored with Torrance, received the 2024–2025 Best Journal of Advertising Education Article Award.
Mundel gave the keynote address, “Rebuilding Trust in Advertising,” highlighting the need for the industry to adopt formal ethical standards. He cited examples of brands reprimanded for unethical practices and underscored how common advertising techniques can exploit consumer vulnerabilities and contribute to social and economic marginalization.
Mundel also participated in a panel titled “Where Do We Draw the Line?” alongside industry leaders including Esther Uhalte Cisneros of Google and Jacqueline Hernández, CEO of New Majority Ready LLC.
“The advertising industry does not yet have an established code of ethics like law, medicine, or engineering,” Mundel said. “The Institute for Advertising Ethics is helping to fill that gap, and this event sparked crucial conversations about accountability, fairness, and trust.”
McAlister called the event “a wonderful opportunity to bridge academia and industry,” noting that attendees shared a common goal of creating a culture that prioritizes ethics.
“Several participants have expressed interest in making this an annual event,” she said. “We look forward to hosting Global Ethics Day again in 2026.”
The event was co-hosted by McAlister, Andrew Susman, IAE president, and Jeff Greenbaum, managing partner of Frankfurt Kurnit.
Attendees also praised the program for providing practical guidance on integrating ethics into everyday advertising practice.
By Claire Dippel