31 Mar Major Companies Decide To Put YouTube Advertising To A Halt

Johnson & Johnson and Verizon have recently taken a daring move with their digital advertising. Both companies have decided to suspend any advertising on YouTube.

YouTube, the web’s dominant video marketing platform, is host to countless advertisements, as well as, a variety of content that is virtually open to the general public. On the flip side of the openness and freedom that is YouTube, it cannot guarantee that specific ads will not appear before “controversial” videos (i.e. videos regarding hate speech, terrorist propaganda, or other objectionable content).

In a bold stance to prevent the Johnson & Johnson brand being associated with any controversial content, the pharmaceutical company has put a “pause” on their company’s YouTube advertising.

Coincidentally on the very same day, Verizon and AT&T decided to halt their YouTube ad spending for the same reason. Johnson & Johnson, Verizon, and AT&T are all large, well-known advertisers that simply do not wish to be seen in a negative light. By choosing to opt out of YouTube advertising, these big name companies have urged YouTube to speak on the issue of content censorship and advertiser control.

YouTube has stated that they are working on giving advertisers video control over where their ads will run. They also stated they are on the brink of moving towards stricter policies regarding the type of content they will allow. Loosing advertisers like Johnson & Johnson, Verizon, and AT&T would certainly make any company sit up and listen.

Moving forward, these brands may pave the way for other brands to have more control over their ad placement, and in larger part, their brand image on YouTube.