Taking a powerful stand against sexual exploitation, RevContent has revised its content policy to eliminate use of all sexually objectifying and explicit content throughout the world\u2019s largest content recommendation network based on standards approved by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe applaud RevContent for its corporate leadership in the native advertising industry by rejecting profitsfrom sexually objectifying and explicit content,\u201d said Patrick Trueman, President and CEO of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. \u201cIn today\u2019s climate of sexual harassment and assault, it\u2019s vital for corporations to do their part to stop the normalization of hypersexualized material that dehumanizes women, and therefore fosters #MeToo culture. RevContent\u2019s stand for women and for the human dignity of all people, not only meets our standards, but sends the powerful message that people are to be valued for their full humanity\u2014not reduced to sex objects.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The recent #MeToo movement has exposed an appalling amount of sexual misconduct from the top echelons of power to the lowest. Such sexual misconduct does not occur in a vacuum, but takes place within a cultural context of which reduces women\u2019s worth to their sex appeal.<\/p>\n
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\u201cSexual misconduct and exploitation is a massive problem that this world faces on a daily basis,\u201d said John Lemp, CEO and founder of RevContent. \u201cAs a Christian and a father to daughters, I was shocked by the amount of stories that have been shared through this movement, I wanted to ensure that RevContent was doing its part to eliminate sexually explicit imagery, headlines and landing pages, not only in our network, but in advertising as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n
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RevContent has always had policies and guidelines restricting explicit content, however this change further limits advertisers from using provocative imagery for clicks based on feedback and recommendations from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe are so fortunate to be working with the National Center on Sexual Exploitation,\u201d Lemp said. \u201cThey are leaders in addressing the objectification and exploitation of women and we are grateful for their assistance in helping us define the strictest standards for ad quality in the native advertising industry.\u201d<\/p>\n
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In the past, RevContent has implemented the use of three levels of maturity filters to content. The recent change completely eliminates all content classified as Maturity Level 3, which included sexually objectifying images, making RevContent the only ad network to adopt the National Center on Sexual Exploitations standards for ad quality.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe need to change the advertising industry to reflect the importance of this movement,\u201d Lemp said. \u201cWe cannot allow sexually explicit imagery to continue to degrade women if we hope to win the fight against sexual harassment and assault. It is a mindset that needs to be destroyed, and we can all do our parts to help create that change.\u201d<\/p>\n
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RevContent is the first advertising network to work with the National Center on Sexual Exploitation and to be publicly commended by this organization for the removal of sexually explicit content.<\/p>\n
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\u201cRevContent has employed thorough quality control measures to ensure materials that objectify women, such as hyper-focusing on body parts or presenting women as prizes for sexual conquest, are no longer in their system,\u201d Patrick Trueman continued. \u201cTheir regular compliance audits, human review process, and continued collaborative dialogue with the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, sets them apart as a company that is dedicated to doing its part for a world free from sexual exploitation. We invite other companies in this industry, such as Outbrain and Taboola, to follow RevContent\u2019s lead and work with us for socially responsible native advertising.\u201d<\/p>\n
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In addition to these improvements, RevContent\u2019s Truth in Media Initiative, launched in 2017, includes a user driven-feedback mechanism that allows consumers to report content they feel is offensive directly from RevContent widgets.<\/p>\n
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