AANA and Ad Standards to merge to reduce costs and complexity

The structure of Australia’s advertising watchdog is undergoing a shake-up, with the board of Ad Standards – the industry’s self-regulator – merging with the board of Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA).

The industry body said the move will reduce unnecessary costs and complexity in the self-regulatory system, particularly given the impact of COVID-19 on advertising spend.

Former deputy chair and acting chair of the Australian Communications and Median Authority (ACMA), Richard Bean, has been appointed as independent director for complaints handling to supervise the work of Ad Standards’ community panel and industry jury. Bean is an indirect replacement for CEO Fiona Jolly who departed in June.

Bean also co-led the efficiency review as the ABC and SBS