The American Advertising Federation (AAF) headquartered in Washington, D.C., acts as the “Unifying Voice for Advertising.” The oldest national advertising trade association, AAF represents 40,000 professionals in the advertising industry, with a national network of 200 clubs. Through its 226 college chapters, the AAF provides 8,000 advertising students with real-world case studies and recruitment connections to corporate America. The AAF also has nearly 100 blue-chip corporate members that are advertisers, agencies and media companies, comprising the nation’s leading brands and corporations.
About AAF Suncoast
The American Advertising Federation-Suncoast, a not-for-profit organization, is dedicated to the advancement of the art and business of advertising through professional education, legislative efforts and community service.
The AAF-Suncoast meets regularly, hosting speakers on various industry topics. In addition, the AAF-Suncoast hosts the advertising community’s most prestigious event, the ADDY Awards, held each year. Membership is open to anyone who is involved in the advertising, media, communications and creative services industry in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to make the Suncoast Advertising Federation a vital force in the lives of its members and the communities of Sarasota and Manatee counties.
We will provide members useful professional development and networking opportunities and actively help them promote their businesses. We will work to increase public awareness of advertising’s importance in a modern economy and act as the industry’s legislative watchdog at state and local levels. Ad Fed members will work to improve their community through the use of their professional skills, contacts, and experience.
Organizational Objectives
The objectives of the Suncoast Advertising Federation shall be to advance the art and business of advertising in the Sarasota and Manatee County areas.
Additionally, the organization shall serve to strengthen better communications and working relationships between the various related professions within the advertising industry by:
- Fostering high standards of practice in advertising and selling.
- Promoting the interchange of advertising knowledge, ideas and experiences, thereby obtaining greater effectiveness in the use of advertising as an instrument for distribution to the end that, by greater efficiency, its members can better serve their individual companies and the interests of the public.
- Expanding the recognition of advertising as a profitable business tool.
- Cultivating a better understanding of the economic and social value of advertising to the consuming public.
- Aiding in the civic development of the communities within the Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice area of the State of Florida.
- Elevating the status of the advertising profession and of the individual members
of the Federation. - Aiding in the recruitment and training of beginners in the field of advertising.
- Aiding in combating unfair or restrictive legislation harmful to the advertising industry.
Advertising Principles
As adopted by the American Advertising Federation’s Board of Directors, the Suncoast Advertising Federation adheres to the following Advertising Principles of American Business:
- TRUTH – Advertising shall tell the truth, and shall reveal significant facts, the absence of which would mislead the public.
- SUBSTANTIATION – Advertising claims shall be substantiated by evidence in possession of the advertiser and/or the advertising agency, prior to making such claims.
- COMPARISONS – Advertising shall refrain from making false, misleading, or unsubstantiated statements or claims about a competitor or his products or services.
- BAIT ADVERTISING – Advertising shall not offer products or services for sale unless such offer constitutes a bona fide effort to see the advertised products or services and is not a device to switch consumers to other goods or services, usually higher priced.
- GUARANTEES AND WARRANTIES – Advertising of guarantees and warranties shall be explicit, with sufficient information to appraise consumers of their principal terms and limitations or, when space or time restrictions preclude such disclosures, the advertisement should clearly reveal where the full text of the guarantee or warranty can be examined before purchase.
- PRICE CLAIMS – Advertising shall avoid price claims which are false and misleading, or savings claims which do not offer provable savings.
- TESTIMONIALS – Advertising containing testimonials shall be limited to those of competent witnesses who are reflecting a real and honest opinion or experience.
- TASTE AND DECENCY – Advertising shall be free of statements, illustrations or implications which are offensive to good taste or public decency.
