The Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG), a leading certification program focused on digital advertising safety and transparency, today announced the awarding of 321 certifications to companies demonstrating exceptional standards in fraud prevention, malware mitigation, brand safety, and transparency.

A record 32 companies achieved TAG Platinum status by earning three or more seals, highlighting a growing industry-wide dedication to these key areas.

"Success in tackling endemic industry challenges requires a combination of commitment and innovation,” said Mike Zaneis, CEO of TAG. “This year’s certifications demonstrate the shared commitment of hundreds of companies to maintaining and building on the gains we have achieved, while also leading our expansion into vital new areas like transparency. By continuing to follow TAG’s time-tested collaborative model to raise standards, TAG’s member companies are creating a safer and more transparent supply chain.”

Key Highlights:

  • Growing Emphasis on Validation: A record 69% of the 2024 seals were earned through independent third-party audits, demonstrating a commitment to the highest integrity standards.
  • TAG Platinum Status: 32 companies achieved TAG Platinum status by obtaining at least three certifications, a 33% increase from last year.
  • Industry Leaders: Notable companies obtaining TAG Seals this year include tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta, along with major media organizations such as Disney, NBCUniversal, and The New York Times. (Note: A full list is in the original press release).

What TAG Certification Means

Companies awarded TAG certifications have rigorously adhered to best practices outlined in TAG's programs for Certified Against Fraud, Certified Against Malware, Brand Safety Certified, and Certified for Transparency. This translates to:

  • Reduced Fraud: Limiting fraudulent ad traffic protects advertisers and ensures legitimate publishers receive fair compensation.
  • Enhanced Brand Safety: Avoiding the placement of ads alongside harmful or inappropriate content upholds brand reputation.
  • Malware Protection: Proactive measures against malware safeguard users from security threats.
  • Increased Transparency: Clear reporting and data practices foster trust and accountability within the advertising supply chain.

Certified companies include

  • A+E Networks: Multinational broadcaster with cable channels including A&E, History, Lifetime, and FYI.
  • Disney (The Walt Disney Company): Media and entertainment giant with film studios, theme parks, streaming services (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+), and television networks.
  • Entravision Communications: A diversified media company focused primarily on Spanish-language broadcasting and digital platforms.
  • Fox Corporation: Media company focused on news, sports, and broadcast television following its spin-off from 21st Century Fox.
  • NBCUniversal: Major media company with film studios, cable and broadcast networks (NBC, Telemundo), and theme parks. Owned by Comcast.
  • Warner Media, LLC: Media and entertainment company with cable networks (including HBO, CNN, Turner channels), Warner Bros. film and television studios, and DC Comics.

Major Advertising Agencies & Holding Companies

  • Dentsu Aegis Network: International advertising and media holding company with multiple subsidiary agencies.
  • Havas Media: International media agency with advertising and communications expertise.
  • Initiative: Global media agency with a specialty in strategic planning and execution of advertising campaigns.
  • IPG Mediabrands: Global media agency holding company managing several media agencies.
  • Omnicom Media Group: Holding company for advertising agencies specializing in media planning, buying, and analytics.
  • Publicis Groupe: One of the world's largest advertising holding companies, with a vast network of global agencies.
  • Stagwell Global ("MDC -Assembly"): Marketing and communications holding company with diverse agencies focused on digital transformation and research.

Ad Tech Platforms

  • Activision Blizzard Media: Advertising arm of video game giant Activision Blizzard, focused on in-game advertising and brand placement.
  • Adform Ad tech platform offering ad serving, creative management, and data management tools for advertisers.
  • Amazon Advertising LLC: Amazon's platform for placing ads within Amazon's properties and on third-party websites.
  • Appier: AI-powered marketing platform specializing in cross-screen advertising solutions.
  • GumGum: Contextual advertising platform analyzing images and text for targeted ad placement.
  • Index Exchange: Transparent programmatic ad exchange enabling publishers to sell ad inventory.
  • Integral Ad Science: Ad verification company measuring ad viewability, brand safety, and fraud.
  • Magnite: Sell-side ad platform (SSP) specializing in video advertising
  • OpenX: Programmatic advertising marketplace and ad exchange.
  • PubMatic Sell-side advertising platform helping publishers manage digital ad inventory.
  • Taboola: Content recommendation engine and native advertising platform.
  • The Trade Desk: Demand-side advertising platform (DSP) allowing buyers to manage programmatic ad campaigns.
  • Tremor Video: Video advertising platform with a focus on brand-safe content and advanced targeting.
  • Xandr: Advertising and analytics platform owned by Microsoft.

Publishers

  • Bauer Media: International media company publishing magazines, radio, and digital content.
  • Bell Media: Canadian media conglomerate with television networks, radio, and digital properties.
  • CBC d/b/a CBC Radio-Canada: Canada's national public broadcaster.
  • Corus Entertainment Inc.: Canadian media and broadcasting company with television networks and radio stations.
  • Evening Standard: London-based daily newspaper.
  • Financial Times: International business newspaper with a strong digital focus.
  • Guardian: British daily newspaper with a global presence.
  • Haymarket Specialist media company focusing on B2B publishing and events.
  • hellomagazine: Digital and print publication focused on celebrity and royalty news.
  • Immediate Media Publisher of magazines across various special interest topics.
  • Mail Metro Media: Publisher of the UK's Daily Mail and Metro newspapers.
  • National Geographic: Magazine and media company with focus on science, geography and exploration.
  • News Corp UK & Ireland Limited: UK subsidiary of News Corp, publishing The Sun, The Times, and The Sunday Times.
  • Tegna: Broadcasting company primarily operating local television stations.

Other Ad Tech & Media

  • Reach: Audience targeting and insights platform
  • Playwire LLC: Ad tech company focused on monetizing gaming and entertainment content.
  • TikTok : Short-form video platform with a significant advertising business.