Five of the nation’s largest advertising trade associations are urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to rescind the portion of her executive order which prohibits certain types of advertising in Michigan.

While expressing support for Gov. Whitmer’s overall actions to protect public health and safety in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the 4A’s (American Association of Advertising Agencies), American Advertising Federation (AAF), Association of National Advertisers (ANA), Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), and Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) have taken issue with one of her provisions which prohibits stores larger than 50,000 square feet from advertising or promoting anything other than “groceries, medical supplies, or items that are necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and basic operation of residences.”

A joint statement from the 4A’s, AAF, ANA, IAB and NAI reads:

“In times of crisis, governments must take strong action to ensure public safety, and we commend Governor Whitmer for her efforts to protect the people of Michigan during this perilous time.

“Unfortunately, a section of the Governor’s recent executive order damages Michigan’s advertising industry by prohibiting lawful speech, while providing no benefit to public safety, so we urge the Governor to rescind that section immediately.

“As the order itself notes, news media is part of our critical infrastructure. Advertising provides revenue to support both news organizations and digital services, including the massive public service campaigns that are educating Michigan residents about how to protect themselves from COVID-19. 

“Policymakers should support that financial model, rather than undermining it. Instead, the order places unconstitutional restrictions on advertising by prohibiting ‘advertising or promotion of goods that are not groceries, medical supplies, or items that are necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and basic operation of residences,’ as well as short-term property rentals.

“In arbitrarily prohibiting advertising by large retailers and rental property owners, the order violates a fundamental tenant of the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of free speech by targeting specific speakers based on what they want to say. These restrictions have no benefit for public health and do nothing to advance any government interest yet are in clear violation of that constitutional right. 

“In short, these restrictions will not protect public health, improve safety, or reduce the burden on our overwhelmed front-line emergency workers, but they could cause lasting and unintended damage to Michigan’s news providers and advertising industry. We urge the Governor to revoke these restrictions as soon as possible.”