Coalition of “Trust” News Advertisers Shuts Up Shop After House Justice GOP Inspection

Reports of a revival of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media have been greatly exaggerated, and House Judiciary Committee Republicans appear to have played a key role in keeping advertising coalitions against ideologically dysfunctional publishers in the grave.

Dentsu Americas told Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, that it would not pursue the “Dentsu Coalition” with 614 Group due to concerns that it “represents any attempt to revive” GARM, which was shut down by the World Federation of Advertisers two days after Elon. Musk’s X Company is suing the two entities for violating antitrust laws, according to the front page of an Oct. 17 response letter released by the Judiciary GOP late Monday.

The full text of the letter can be read here:

Dentsu has already removed its September 4 press release following the initiative of the 614 group, whose announcement remains online.

They called it “an innovative coalition aimed at promoting significant and sustainable investment in trustworthy news” when “traditional monetization strategies are failing under the weight of brand safety and suitability measures… especially during critical moments such as during the 2024 election cycle.” .

InsideRadio described the new initiative as “likely the first of several potential solutions” for advertisers following the demise of GARM. 614 Group CEO Rob Rascoe pointedly stated that its goal is to “ensure that journalism not only survives, but thrives, by harnessing the collective strength of the industry’s leading players.”

The phrase caught the attention of Jordan, who warned Dentsu Americas CEO Michael Komasinski on October 3 that it sounded like ” de facto reorganization of GARM” and requested documents and communications concerning or related to GARM or its reorganization.

An uncredited response letter from Dentsu Americas, published four days after it was sent, acknowledged “confusion” about the coalition’s goals and said it would “not undertake any other efforts with similar goals.”

The committee’s GOP responded, “BIG WIN!”