Lobbyist Warns Radio Of "Attack" On Drug, Food Ads

Ad industry lobbyist and Exec. Director of the ADVERTISING COALITION JIM DAVIDSON told the NAB RADIO SHOW's "WASHINGTON Insider Legislative Breakfast" that "advertising is really under attack right now" on CAPITOL HILL, both from attempted bans on pharmaceutical and kids' food advertising and from attempts to tax or remove tax deductibility from broadcast ads.

DAVIDSON warned that the "slippery slope" could take the anti-ad movement from trying to ban prescription drug and children's food ads to banning ads for other controversial categories like SUVs. He noted that the UK's OFCOM is considering nutrition-based ad bans and asserted that "it's a short hop across the pond" for a similar ban to happen in the U.S. DAVIDSON also outlined the threat to direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising from criticism by consumer health groups, the AMA, the news media, and others, including Rep. JIM MORAN (D-VA) and his attempt to ban daytime ads for erectile dysfunction drugs based on indecency concerns.

NAB Pres./CEO DAVID REHR added that "the people on the other side are zealots ... they're doing a pretty good job of framing the issue."

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