The Standard
The PBA Code of Ethics
All 7 of them. Every listed agency signs it and is accountable to it. Violations, once confirmed, result in removal from the directory, permanently.
The 7 commitments
Organic growth only
We do not buy followers, engagement, or manufactured social proof, for our clients or ourselves.
AI is disclosed, not concealed
Artificial intelligence is a tool, and we use it openly where it helps. We do not let it do the heavy lifting of a client's intellectual property or speaking voice, we do not present generated work as human craft, and we do not use it to build a perception the client has not earned.
Earned press, honestly earned
We do not fabricate media features, pay for disguised advertorials presented as earned coverage, or invent credentials.
Truth in results
We do not promise outcomes we cannot control, and we report client results without inflation.
Identity before image
We build brands on who the client actually is, never on a persona designed to deceive their audience.
Transparent pricing
Our fees, deliverables, and terms are stated before engagement. No bait pricing, no surprise upsells mid-contract.
The client owns the brand
Accounts, audiences, and assets built during an engagement belong to the client, always.
Common questions
Who has to sign the Code of Ethics?
Every agency listed in the directory, without exception, including the founder listing.
What happens if an agency breaks it?
Reports are reviewed by Mashman Consulting Group. The agency is contacted and given the opportunity to respond. A confirmed violation results in permanent removal from the directory, and any paid subscription ends with the listing.
Can an agency pay to avoid enforcement?
No. Paid plans affect placement and presentation only. They cannot buy vetting approval, a rating, a rank, or protection from a consumer report.
I run advertisements for my clients; do I still qualify?
Absolutely. We believe that advertising in ethical ways is a fantastic tool to increase exposure and client results. When we say "Organic growth only," we don't mean that we are against all ads. We are against manufactured perceptions and believe organic strategies should come first.
See how agencies are checked against this in the vetting standard, or report a violation.