Journalism Professor Named to National Advertising Review Board

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Jan Wicks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Jan Wicks, graduate program coordinator and professor of journalism in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, has been named as one of 21 new members of the National Advertising Review Board, the appellate body for Advertising Self-Regulatory Council.

The members serve to assure that advertising claims are truthful and accurate. The board is made up of 70 professionals from three categories: national advertisers, advertising agencies and public members.

The members are nominated for their stature and experience in their respective fields. Nominations are made by the Advertising Self-Regulatory Council’s supporting organizations and the term for membership is two years. Each member is eligible to be re-appointed for two additional two-year terms.

“I served for the full six years and then my service ended, as is customary,” Wicks said. “After a year or so, the ARSC may elect to nominate former members and I was honored to be nominated again.”

Panelists hear evidence presented by witnesses, examine substantiation and determine whether claims made by national advertisers are truthful and accurate.

“I’m delighted to welcome these panelists – all selected because of their standing and experience in the industry – and I appreciate the companies and institutions that support their volunteer service,” said Howard Bell, chairman of the National Advertising Review Board. “Members of the National Advertising Review Board – a peer-review body – provide a valuable service to the advertising industry through their careful review of advertising claims and their thoughtful guidance on issues of import.”

The Advertising Self-Regulatory Council establishes the policies and procedures for advertising industry self-regulation, including the National Advertising Division, Children’s Advertising Review Unit, National Advertising Review Board, Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program and Online Interest-Based Advertising Accountability Program. The self-regulatory system is administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus.