Interactive Advertising Bureau

No Easy Wins

IAB Europe is the European-level association for the digital marketing and advertising ecosystem. Through its membership of national IABs and media, technology and marketing companies, its mission is to lead political representation and promote industry collaboration to deliver frameworks, standards and industry programmes that enable business to thrive in the European market

There are #NoEasyWins in digital policymaking

But there is still time for EU policymakers to act.

A ban on targeted advertising would damage small businesses, independent media, consumer welfare, economic integration, and the EU’s international reputation.

Better enforcement of Europe’s strong data protection and privacy legislation, as well as new measures to boost trust and transparency in the online advertising ecosystem, are needed and are welcome.

But there are #NoEasyWins in digital policymaking, and we owe it to Europe’s citizens to get this right

Download our new infographics below and share the facts today

Who Would Miss Out if These Proposals Became Law?

Proposals to ban or restrict targeted ads in Europe as part of the new Digital Services Act (DSA) package would have far-reaching consequences. Data-driven advertising is crucial for the small businesses that depend on it to find audiences, for the publishers who rely on it for revenues, and for exporting economies that need frictionless access to the Digital Single Market.

There are #NoEasyWins in digital regulation, but let’s see who would really lose out if these proposals became law:

Local news outlets and small online publishers often depend on targeted ads to complement income from subscriptions and contextual ads. Advertising accounts for 81% of European media digital revenues. We cannot just dismiss these vital pillars of European democracy.

#NoEasyWins

75% of European consumers prefer an ad-supported internet because it is largely free to access. The average EU consumer does not want to pay more to get less, and only European elites can afford multiple subscriptions.

#NoEasyWins

European SMEs increasingly rely on targeted ads to find and sell to customers. Digital marketing has been a lifeline during the pandemic, with 50% of small businesses saying that digital advertising is now more than ever important to their business.  Restricting targeted ads now would remove a vital component of many SMEs’ post-pandemic recovery strategies.

#NoEasyWins

The percentage of consumers buying goods online in Central and Eastern Europe has increased by double digits during the pandemic, and businesses from the region depend heavily on digital ads to market themselves across the Single Market. Banning or restricting targeted ads would be a huge step backward and does not have broad support across the EU.

#NoEasyWins

Listen to What Stakeholders Have to Say

There is still time to act.

If you share our concerns, please share these videos using #NoEasyWins.

#NoEasyWins Media Highlights

Read more about the value targeted ads provide to European businesses and people in the latest research report: The Wider Socio-Economic and Cultural Value of Targeted Advertising in Europe.

IAB Europe
Rond-Point Robert
Schuman 11
1040 Brussels
Belgium
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