GroupM Blacklists Pirated Content Websites

NEW YORK: WPP-owned GroupM has implemented a new policy that blocks its clients’ ads from appearing on websites that distribute pirated content.

The new GroupM policy includes anti-piracy language for insertion orders that prohibits vendors from placing the agency’s clients’ ads on websites that support piracy or contain any illegally distributed content. The agency has drafted a list of more than 2,000 U.S. sites that support pirated content. A link to this constantly updated list will be included in all contracts and insertion orders. Content-producing clients have been asked to share their own lists with GroupM.

“We’re serious about combating piracy and protecting our clients’ intellectual property as forcefully as we possibly can,” said Rob Norman, GroupM Interaction’s global CEO and also the CEO of GroupM North America. “This policy extends to digital media buyers at all GroupM agencies, as well as other WPP companies like Team Detroit, which manages Ford’s media business.”

He added, “Pirate sites are known to ‘domain hop,’ so we need to keep on top of the latest list of identified offenders as best as we possibly can in order to enforce this new policy to its fullest effect."