• DMNews, Tuesday, September 25, 2007 10:45 AM

Americans do not have a particularly kind view of the advertising profession, according to a study from J. Walter Thompson. When asked about respect for the profession for the "Ad Industry Perception Survey," only 14% of respondents say their fellow Americans respect ad people, a fraction of the 79% garnered by members of the armed forces, the 75% who respect doctors and the 71% who respect teachers.

On the plus side, ad pros are seen as a "necessary good" by 31% percent of the population, beating out politicians and car salesmen. Among the study's other findings are that 84% percent agree strongly or somewhat that "too many things are over-hyped now" and 72% feel "there's too much advertising [and would] support stricter limits." A further 47% regard advertising as "background noise," although 42% think it has improved in recent years.

"The study significantly uncovers a basic disconnect between the ad industry's world view and that of its audience," says the JWT report.

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