Advertising self-regulation activity: A Comparison between Spain and US

Abstract

This study evaluates the activity of the Spain’s advertising self-regulatory system, Autocontrol, from 2005-2009. The cases analyzed were coded according to product category, challenger, media, Autocontrol and advertiser response, codes and laws involved and basic principles addressed. Results were compared to the activity developed by Autocontrol during the last nineties and to the US case. Ramos (2001) analyzed the cases attended by AACC from 1996-2000 and Armstrong and Ozanne’s (1983) did something similar with the American Association. The findings point to more active participation of consumer organizations and consumers in Spain, as compared to that in U.S. and the years before.