Using Product Management to Build Transparent and Ethical Advertising Technologies Amid Growing Consumer Scrutiny

Approved

Relevance and Originality:

This paper addresses a highly significant and timely issue within the advertising technology (AdTech) industry, focusing on the intersection of product management and ethical advertising practices. As consumers, regulators, and stakeholders demand greater transparency and data privacy, the research explores how product managers can incorporate ethical principles into advertising technologies. The originality lies in framing product management as a critical driver for ethical decision-making in AdTech, emphasizing governance frameworks, consumer rights, and regulatory compliance. This perspective is crucial in the context of growing concerns over data privacy and advertising transparency, particularly with the increasing adoption of regulations like GDPR and CCPA.

Methodology:

The methodology is grounded in case studies and industry practices, which provide practical insights into how product managers can address the ethical challenges of modern advertising. While the use of case studies is an effective way to illustrate real-world applications, the research could benefit from more detailed information about the selection process for these cases. A clearer explanation of how the case studies were analyzed and the specific metrics used to evaluate the success of ethical advertising strategies would strengthen the methodology. Additionally, a more structured approach to comparing different strategies across case studies could offer a more comprehensive understanding of best practices.

Validity & Reliability:

The research presents a well-founded analysis of how product managers can balance ethical considerations with business objectives, supported by case studies and regulatory frameworks. However, the reliability of the findings could be enhanced by providing more diverse case studies from different industries or regions, which would help validate the generalizability of the conclusions. Additionally, addressing potential biases in the selection of case studies, such as regional or sector-specific influences, would improve the overall robustness and applicability of the research. Further discussion on how external factors like market forces or consumer trends impact the adoption of ethical advertising practices would also help strengthen the study's conclusions.

Clarity and Structure:

The paper is generally well-structured, with a logical flow from the introduction of ethical challenges to the role of product management in addressing them. The arguments are clearly presented, and the paper's overall organization is coherent. However, some sections could benefit from clearer and more concise phrasing to improve readability. For example, certain points regarding governance frameworks and privacy regulations are repeated, which could be streamlined for better flow. Additionally, breaking the paper into more distinct subsections would aid in navigating complex topics, such as the integration of privacy features and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Result Analysis:

The analysis effectively highlights key strategies for addressing the ethical challenges of advertising technologies, such as implementing privacy-first features, fostering cross-team collaboration, and complying with emerging regulations. However, the discussion could benefit from a deeper exploration of how these strategies impact business outcomes, such as consumer trust, engagement, or ROI. More quantitative data or examples from the case studies would strengthen the analysis and provide more concrete evidence of the effectiveness of ethical advertising practices. Additionally, exploring potential trade-offs between consumer privacy and advertising effectiveness would provide a more nuanced understanding of the challenges product managers face in this domain.