• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, March 4, 2022

The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) on Friday urged its members to support sanctions imposed by the U.S. against Russia.

"Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, the marketing, advertising, and media industries have wasted no time in responding to what has quickly become a global crisis," the ANA noted in its statement, adding: "Some marketers have suspended their Russian operations while companies with offices in Ukraine have taken steps to ensure the welfare and safety of their employees. Others have contributed various forms of humanitarian aid to assist Ukrainian citizens and refugees."

The statement goes on to call on ANA members to support sanctions against Russia and to "seriously consider taking proactive steps to demonstrate that their companies and brands are part of the global effort to end the crisis in Ukraine."

According to an informal poll conducted by the ANA following the invasion, nearly a quarter (23%) of 180 ANA member respondents said they have been doing business in Russia, and 25% of them said they have suspended or reduced their media spending in the country.

"The survey also showed that half of the respondents support providing Ukraine with humanitarian aid, while one-third said they plan to either cease or scale back their operations in Russia," the ANA stated.