Industry Comparison

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Advertising & Marketing
The Advertising and Marketing industry is comprised of entities that create advertising campaigns for use in media, display, or direct mail advertising and related services including market research. Advertising and marketing entities are engaged primarily by businesses selling consumer products, entertainment, financial services, technology products, and telecommunication services. Larger advertising entities are structured as holding entities, owning multiple agencies across the globe that provide a wide range of services such as custom publishing, brand consultancy, mobile and online marketing, and public relations. For any advertising campaign, the same entity may be engaged in all aspects, from graphic arts and content creation to data analytics, marketing research, and media planning and buying, or the entity may be in charge only of certain aspects.
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Media & Entertainment
Media and entertainment entities create content and/or acquire rights to distribute content over cable or broadcast media, including entertainment programs, news, music, and children’s programming. Entities in this industry also publish books, newspapers, and periodicals, and broadcast radio and local television programming.
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Relevant Issues for both Industries (5 of 26)

Why are some issues greyed out?

The SASB Standards vary by industry based on the different sustainability-related risks and opportunities within an industry. The issues in grey were not identified during the standard-setting process as the most likely to be useful to investors, so they are not included in the Standard. Over time, as the ISSB continues to receive market feedback, some issues may be added or removed from the Standard. Each company determines which sustainability-related risks and opportunities are relevant to its business. The Standard is designed for the typical company in an industry, but individual companies may choose to report on different sustainability-related risks and opportunities based on their unique business model.

Environment
- GHG Emissions
- Air Quality
- Energy Management
- Water & Wastewater Management
- Waste & Hazardous Materials Management
- Ecological Impacts
Social Capital
- Human Rights & Community Relations
- Customer Privacy
  The category addresses management of risks related to the use of personally identifiable information (PII) and other customer or user data for secondary purposes including but not limited to marketing through affiliates and non-affiliates. The scope of the category includes social issues that may arise from a company’s approach to collecting data, obtaining consent (e.g., opt-in policies), managing user and customer expectations regarding how their data is used, and managing evolving regulation. It excludes social issues arising from cybersecurity risks, which are covered in a separate category.
- Data Security
- Access & Affordability
- Product Quality & Safety
- Customer Welfare
  The category addresses customer welfare concerns over issues including, but not limited to, health and nutrition of foods and beverages, antibiotic use in animal production, and management of controlled substances. The category addresses the company’s ability to provide consumers with manufactured products and services that are aligned with societal expectations. It does not include issues directly related to quality and safety malfunctions of manufactured products and services, but instead addresses qualities inherent to the design and delivery of products and services where customer welfare may be in question. The scope of the category also captures companies’ ability to prevent counterfeit products.
- Selling Practices & Product Labeling
  The category addresses social issues that may arise from a failure to manage the transparency, accuracy, and comprehensibility of marketing statements, advertising, and labeling of products and services. It includes, but is not limited to, advertising standards and regulations, ethical and responsible marketing practices, misleading or deceptive labeling, as well as discriminatory or predatory selling and lending practices. This may include deceptive or aggressive selling practices in which incentive structures for employees could encourage the sale of products or services that are not in the best interest of customers or clients.
Human Capital
- Labour Practices
- Employee Health & Safety
- Employee Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion
  The category addresses a company’s ability to ensure that its culture and hiring and promotion practices embrace the building of a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the makeup of local talent pools and its customer base. It addresses the issues of discriminatory practices on the bases of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and other factors.
Business Model and Innovation
- Product Design & Lifecycle Management
- Business Model Resilience
- Supply Chain Management
- Materials Sourcing & Efficiency
- Physical Impacts of Climate Change
Leadership and Governance
- Business Ethics
- Competitive Behaviour
  The category covers social issues associated with existence of monopolies, which may include, but are not limited to, excessive prices, poor quality of service, and inefficiencies. It addresses a company’s management of legal and social expectation around monopolistic and anti-competitive practices, including issues related to bargaining power, collusion, price fixing or manipulation, and protection of patents and intellectual property (IP).
- Management of the Legal & Regulatory Environment
- Critical Incident Risk Management
- Systemic Risk Management

Disclosure Topics

What is the relationship between General Issue Category and Disclosure Topics?

The General Issue Category is an industry-agnostic version of the Disclosure Topics that appear in each SASB Standard. Disclosure topics represent the industry-specific impacts of General Issue Categories. The industry-specific Disclosure Topics ensure each SASB Standard is tailored to the industry, while the General Issue Categories enable comparability across industries. For example, Health & Nutrition is a disclosure topic in the Non-Alcoholic Beverages industry, representing an industry-specific measure of the general issue of Customer Welfare. The issue of Customer Welfare, however, manifests as the Counterfeit Drugs disclosure topic in the Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals industry.

Advertising & Marketing Remove
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- Customer Privacy
  The category addresses management of risks related to the use of personally identifiable information (PII) and other customer or user data for secondary purposes including but not limited to marketing through affiliates and non-affiliates. The scope of the category includes social issues that may arise from a company’s approach to collecting data, obtaining consent (e.g., opt-in policies), managing user and customer expectations regarding how their data is used, and managing evolving regulation. It excludes social issues arising from cybersecurity risks, which are covered in a separate category.
  - Data Privacy
    Because of the prevalence of social media, location-based mobile applications and e-commerce, customers’ digital footprints offer a more complete picture of their habits than might otherwise be available to advertisers. Advertisers can collect or purchase highly detailed information about buyers, and advertising strategies can be precisely targeted to potential buyers. As part of an industry that uses large quantities of data about private citizens, advertising and marketing entities must balance the potential benefits of targeted advertising with protecting customer data and privacy.
- Customer Welfare
  The category addresses customer welfare concerns over issues including, but not limited to, health and nutrition of foods and beverages, antibiotic use in animal production, and management of controlled substances. The category addresses the company’s ability to provide consumers with manufactured products and services that are aligned with societal expectations. It does not include issues directly related to quality and safety malfunctions of manufactured products and services, but instead addresses qualities inherent to the design and delivery of products and services where customer welfare may be in question. The scope of the category also captures companies’ ability to prevent counterfeit products.
  
  None
- Selling Practices & Product Labeling
  The category addresses social issues that may arise from a failure to manage the transparency, accuracy, and comprehensibility of marketing statements, advertising, and labeling of products and services. It includes, but is not limited to, advertising standards and regulations, ethical and responsible marketing practices, misleading or deceptive labeling, as well as discriminatory or predatory selling and lending practices. This may include deceptive or aggressive selling practices in which incentive structures for employees could encourage the sale of products or services that are not in the best interest of customers or clients.
  - Advertising Integrity
    Entities have a legal responsibility to ensure their products and services advertising is truthful and not deceptive. Although much of the regulatory compliance burden regarding advertising content and placement lies with the client, advertising agencies play a vital role in the creation of advertising content and are responsible for advising clients regarding applicable regulations. Consumer protection laws provide guidance and restrictions on advertising to children and on advertising regulated products, such as alcohol and tobacco. Regulators may investigate advertising agency involvement in deceptive advertising and penalise the agency. Advertising and marketing entities exposed to these regulations and concerns have responded by participating in self-regulatory programmes that manage these areas.
- Employee Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion
  The category addresses a company’s ability to ensure that its culture and hiring and promotion practices embrace the building of a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the makeup of local talent pools and its customer base. It addresses the issues of discriminatory practices on the bases of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and other factors.
  - Workforce Diversity & Inclusion
    In the Advertising & Marketing industry, an entity gains competitive advantages from producing creative, innovative ideas. Entities in this industry compete for talented workers to create successful advertising campaigns. Larger entities have clients around the world and must employ a diverse workforce to reach diverse audiences effectively. Connecting with a target market relies, to a significant extent, on employing a workforce that reflects the communities in that market. A diverse workforce is a critical factor in improving service outcomes and enhancing an advertising entity’s financial performance.
- Competitive Behaviour
  The category covers social issues associated with existence of monopolies, which may include, but are not limited to, excessive prices, poor quality of service, and inefficiencies. It addresses a company’s management of legal and social expectation around monopolistic and anti-competitive practices, including issues related to bargaining power, collusion, price fixing or manipulation, and protection of patents and intellectual property (IP).
  
  None
Media & Entertainment Remove
Access Standard
- Customer Privacy
  The category addresses management of risks related to the use of personally identifiable information (PII) and other customer or user data for secondary purposes including but not limited to marketing through affiliates and non-affiliates. The scope of the category includes social issues that may arise from a company’s approach to collecting data, obtaining consent (e.g., opt-in policies), managing user and customer expectations regarding how their data is used, and managing evolving regulation. It excludes social issues arising from cybersecurity risks, which are covered in a separate category.
  
  None
- Customer Welfare
  The category addresses customer welfare concerns over issues including, but not limited to, health and nutrition of foods and beverages, antibiotic use in animal production, and management of controlled substances. The category addresses the company’s ability to provide consumers with manufactured products and services that are aligned with societal expectations. It does not include issues directly related to quality and safety malfunctions of manufactured products and services, but instead addresses qualities inherent to the design and delivery of products and services where customer welfare may be in question. The scope of the category also captures companies’ ability to prevent counterfeit products.
  - Media Pluralism
    Media pluralism, which is diversity in the broadest sense, includes both external and internal pluralism. External pluralism refers to media ownership, independent editorial boards, channels, titles or programmes. Internal pluralism refers to the social, racial/ethnic and political diversity represented in media content. Media and entertainment entities may ensure pluralism by maintaining on- and off-screen diversity and by safeguarding the independence of editorial boards and programming.
- Selling Practices & Product Labeling
  The category addresses social issues that may arise from a failure to manage the transparency, accuracy, and comprehensibility of marketing statements, advertising, and labeling of products and services. It includes, but is not limited to, advertising standards and regulations, ethical and responsible marketing practices, misleading or deceptive labeling, as well as discriminatory or predatory selling and lending practices. This may include deceptive or aggressive selling practices in which incentive structures for employees could encourage the sale of products or services that are not in the best interest of customers or clients.
  - Journalistic Integrity & Sponsorship Identification
    Audiences rely on journalists for accurate and timely information on current events. Principles of journalism include accuracy, fairness, minimisation of harm, independence, accountability and transparency. Failure to adhere to these principles may affect not only the credibility of the journalist, but also the entity responsible for publishing or broadcasting these materials. As regulations around the disclosure of sponsorship and endorsement evolve, transparency is important for both journalism and entertainment content.
- Employee Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion
  The category addresses a company’s ability to ensure that its culture and hiring and promotion practices embrace the building of a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the makeup of local talent pools and its customer base. It addresses the issues of discriminatory practices on the bases of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and other factors.
  
  None
- Competitive Behaviour
  The category covers social issues associated with existence of monopolies, which may include, but are not limited to, excessive prices, poor quality of service, and inefficiencies. It addresses a company’s management of legal and social expectation around monopolistic and anti-competitive practices, including issues related to bargaining power, collusion, price fixing or manipulation, and protection of patents and intellectual property (IP).
  - Intellectual Property Protection & Media Piracy
    Entities in this industry rely on intellectual property (IP) to generate revenue. However, although IP protection is inherent to their business model, strong IP protections may sometimes conflict with the interests of society. Proponents of IP protection assert its importance as a driver of innovation. Opponents argue that assigning ownership may stifle innovation and competition by enabling the creation of monopolies. Despite the industry’s best efforts, media piracy is rampant, and entities devote significant resources to protecting and enforcing IP rights. Media and entertainment entities therefore must balance protecting their IP with ensuring access to media and allowing fair use.

General Issue Category

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Customer Privacy

Data Privacy
Because of the prevalence of social media, location-based mobile applications and e-commerce, customers’ digital footprints offer a more complete picture of their habits than might otherwise be available to advertisers. Advertisers can collect or purchase highly detailed information about buyers, and advertising strategies can be precisely targeted to potential buyers. As part of an industry that uses large quantities of data about private citizens, advertising and marketing entities must balance the potential benefits of targeted advertising with protecting customer data and privacy.

Customer Welfare

Media Pluralism
Media pluralism, which is diversity in the broadest sense, includes both external and internal pluralism. External pluralism refers to media ownership, independent editorial boards, channels, titles or programmes. Internal pluralism refers to the social, racial/ethnic and political diversity represented in media content. Media and entertainment entities may ensure pluralism by maintaining on- and off-screen diversity and by safeguarding the independence of editorial boards and programming.

Selling Practices & Product Labeling

Advertising Integrity
Entities have a legal responsibility to ensure their products and services advertising is truthful and not deceptive. Although much of the regulatory compliance burden regarding advertising content and placement lies with the client, advertising agencies play a vital role in the creation of advertising content and are responsible for advising clients regarding applicable regulations. Consumer protection laws provide guidance and restrictions on advertising to children and on advertising regulated products, such as alcohol and tobacco. Regulators may investigate advertising agency involvement in deceptive advertising and penalise the agency. Advertising and marketing entities exposed to these regulations and concerns have responded by participating in self-regulatory programmes that manage these areas.

Journalistic Integrity & Sponsorship Identification
Audiences rely on journalists for accurate and timely information on current events. Principles of journalism include accuracy, fairness, minimisation of harm, independence, accountability and transparency. Failure to adhere to these principles may affect not only the credibility of the journalist, but also the entity responsible for publishing or broadcasting these materials. As regulations around the disclosure of sponsorship and endorsement evolve, transparency is important for both journalism and entertainment content.

Employee Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion

Workforce Diversity & Inclusion
In the Advertising & Marketing industry, an entity gains competitive advantages from producing creative, innovative ideas. Entities in this industry compete for talented workers to create successful advertising campaigns. Larger entities have clients around the world and must employ a diverse workforce to reach diverse audiences effectively. Connecting with a target market relies, to a significant extent, on employing a workforce that reflects the communities in that market. A diverse workforce is a critical factor in improving service outcomes and enhancing an advertising entity’s financial performance.

Competitive Behaviour

Intellectual Property Protection & Media Piracy
Entities in this industry rely on intellectual property (IP) to generate revenue. However, although IP protection is inherent to their business model, strong IP protections may sometimes conflict with the interests of society. Proponents of IP protection assert its importance as a driver of innovation. Opponents argue that assigning ownership may stifle innovation and competition by enabling the creation of monopolies. Despite the industry’s best efforts, media piracy is rampant, and entities devote significant resources to protecting and enforcing IP rights. Media and entertainment entities therefore must balance protecting their IP with ensuring access to media and allowing fair use.

Relevant Issues for both Industries (5 of 26)

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