Q&A: Ad Standards Champion Linda Nagel
May 26th, 2016 | Matthew Chung, Manager, Communications and Content
For more than 21 years, Linda Nagel has helped strengthen and transform advertising self-regulation in Canada. It’s not the kind of work that usually wins awards, but every Canadian marketer and advertiser has benefited from her efforts. For Nagel’s distinctive impact on the practice of marketing communications in Canada, the outgoing President of Advertising Standards Canada is being honoured with the 2016 ACA Gold Medal Award. In this Q&A, Nagel reflects on her time in the industry and offers advice for marketers.
ACA: Does receiving ACA’s Gold Medal Award help you appreciate the difference you’ve made for advertising in Canada?
I am incredibly touched. In thinking about awards for advertising, one thinks of the ads themselves. It is wonderful to know that effective and responsible self-regulation is valued by the advertising industry.
ACA: You’re also leaving Advertising Standards Canada in June, so you’re going out on a high note, but I assume there must be some mixed feelings about leaving the post you’ve held for so many years?
It is very hard to leave – but I wanted to leave while I still love what I do. I don’t know if there is ever the perfect time to leave, so I had to just make a decision.
ACA: Have you given any thought to the next chapter for you?
I plan to do a bit of consulting – with a focus on regulatory, association governance and issues management.
ACA: Self-regulation in Canada has certainly come a long way. What would you say are areas that marketers need to improve on to continue building on the trust consumers have in brands?
Our research tells us that many Canadians believe that advertising has a role in shaping society. Advertisers should appreciate the power they have, and create advertising with the knowledge that they can have a positive impact on society.
ACA: If you could go back and talk to Linda Nagel in 1994, when you joined ASC, what advice would you have for yourself?
Be patient, always try to do the right thing, and don’t be discouraged when people need more time. Positive change doesn’t happen overnight.
