The national coalition represents small businesses and online publishers who depend on data-driven advertising under threat in Washington DC
WASHINGTON, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Internet for Growth, a national coalition of small business owners and content creators who rely on digital advertising to create jobs and economic growth, announced a new Advisory Council to lead the coalition’s growth, the member engagement and press and political engagement on the importance of digital advertising to Main Street.
Internet for Growth was launched last year to secure essential online tools that help businesses and their customers save time and money. The coalition includes nearly 1,000 members in every state, working in industries ranging from health care and fitness to real estate, retail and restaurants, who are concerned about legislation and regulation in Washington DC which could affect their ability to succeed.
Drew Amentowner of Phoenix, Arizona, marketing firm Press1toTalk, will serve as chairman of the board. “Internet for Growth does an important job highlighting the role digital advertising plays in supporting small businesses across the country,” she said. “I am thrilled to lead this board and help spread the message that millions of businesses and their customers depend on digital advertising.”
Six prominent Internet for Growth members make up the Advisory Council which represents various regions of the country. Portia PrescottA Denver, CO job recruiter and co-owner of Jefferson Prescott Consulting, which uses targeted advertising and marketing to fill jobs, said the following: “Digital advertising has played a huge role in supporting the needs of my companies. As a small business owner, personalized ads give me the flexibility and accuracy to reach my audience and drive growth.”
Digital advertising and marketing not only personalized and targeted advertising, but also social media, email marketing, websites, e-commerce platforms and more have become especially important for local employers and their employees during the pandemic , but they could become collateral damage in Washingtonas Democrats and Republicans try to punish “Big Tech”.
“Digital advertising is low-cost compared to print, radio and TV advertising, opening the door to creativity and commerce for more people. Digital ads fund thousands of dollars worth of free content and services for every American each year. Most “Most people appreciate the personalization and convenience of data-driven advertising. We are working to improve public understanding of a competitive and dynamic industry with widespread benefits for all,” he said Brendan Thomasexecutive director of Internet for Growth.
In May, members of Internet for Growth visited two dozen US House and Senate offices to share their personal success stories using free or low-cost, easy-to-use media and marketing platforms. They shared their concerns about well-meaning data privacy legislation that could have unintended consequences, destroying the speed, efficiency and relevance of digital advertising. Internet for Growth supports a federal data privacy law to simplify a complicated patchwork of state privacy laws.
The coalition opposed Congress’s “Banning Surveillance Advertising Act” and similar Federal Trade Commission “trade surveillance” rules that attack an essential industry and could lead to stifling Internet regulations. Internet for Growth recently challenged the AMERICA Act, another sign of a “tech coup” in the making Washington which could reverse decades of progress to take advantage of online opportunities for small businesses and publishers.
“Integrated platforms for buying and selling ads offer small businesses a world of possibilities to advertise online. They give publishers and self-employed creators the ability to make money from ad buyers of all sizes. Bills like AMERICA Act would dismantle an online advertising market that has taken decades to mature,” Thomas said. “Consumers have unprecedented selection and competitive prices. These anti-ad bills would drive up costs in an already inflationary environment.”
Small businesses and creators interested in learning more about digital advertising issues in Washington or participate in Internet for Growth advocacy efforts should contact the coalition and follow the Internet for Growth at ChirpingLinkedIn and Facebook for frequent updates.
Internet for growth, an initiative of the Interactive Advertising Bureau, champions the transformative role the ad-supported Internet plays in empowering America’s small businesses by helping entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life. Supported by a diverse community of over 700 IAB members including marketers, agencies, publishers, platforms and ad technology providers, as well as hundreds of small businesses and creators, we highlight the benefits the internet offers to local economies, expanding opportunities for innovators to reach markets far beyond their neighborhoods. Our work ensures that people understand the limitless opportunities the Internet offers for creativity and commerce, to compete fairly, and to connect with consumers over mutually shared values and interests, regardless of background or geography.
SOURCE Internet for growth
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