Name two bodies that have to approve most ads before running in the media. The advertiser’s marketing department and the media’s sales department The advertiser’s sales department and the media’s sales department The advertiser’s legal department and the media’s legal department The government’s legal department and the media’s legal department

Answer

Who Approves Ads Before Publication?

🧐 Who Approves Most Ads Before They Are Released in the Media?

✅ Correct Answer: The advertiser’s legal department and the media’s legal department

Before an advertisement can be publicly aired, printed, or posted on digital platforms, it must pass through a detailed review process. This ensures it complies with legal, ethical, and industry standards. The primary authorities responsible for this are:

⚖️ The advertiser’s legal department: Ensures that the ad content does not make false claims, infringe on trademarks, violate consumer rights, or breach regulatory guidelines.
⚖️ The media’s legal department: Reviews the ad for compliance with internal policies, broadcast regulations, and national advertising laws before allowing it to be aired or published.

      🛡️ These two departments act as gatekeepers to protect both the advertiser and the media outlet from potential legal issues and public backlash.
    

🔍 Why Legal Departments Are Involved

Advertisements are not just marketing content — they are also subject to numerous laws such as:

📜 Truth in Advertising regulations
🚫 Restrictions on deceptive or misleading content
👶 Child protection advertising standards
📶 Claims regarding health, finance, or performance

Any false or unverified claim can lead to lawsuits, fines, or damage to brand reputation.

📌 In industries like pharmaceuticals, food & beverages, and finance, this legal approval is even more stringent due to specific compliance laws.

❌ Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

The advertiser’s marketing department: Focuses on creative and branding aspects, not legal compliance.
The media’s sales department: Handles selling ad space/time but doesn’t have legal oversight authority.
The advertiser’s sales department: Works on revenue and client acquisition, not ad regulation.
The government’s legal department: Does not pre-approve every ad unless it’s part of a regulatory or law enforcement case.

✅ Therefore, the legal teams of both the advertiser and the media outlet must approve ads before they are published or broadcast.

📋 Summary

📝 Advertisements must be legally and ethically sound.
⚖️ Approval is typically required from both the advertiser’s and the media’s legal departments.
🛡️ This helps avoid legal consequences, public complaints, and financial penalties.

🎯 Proper ad approval ensures responsible communication and protects both brand and media from reputational damage.

learnlyfly