EASA’s Influencer Marketing Standards Training: Spotlight on RÖK

28 February 2025

The European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA) has introduced the Influencer Marketing Standards Training (IMST), an initiative aimed at promoting responsible influencer marketing across Europe. Developed and managed by local Self-Regulatory Organisations (SROs), these training programs provide participants with essential knowledge of advertising standards, fostering awareness of ethical marketing practices and supporting transparent communication.

Several countries have already launched their IMST courses, with more currently in development. Among them, Turkey’s SRO, Reklam Özdenetim Kurulu (RÖK), has made remarkable progress in training influencers and industry professionals on responsible social media practices.

RÖK’s Commitment to Ethical Influencer Marketing

RÖK successfully launched its first Responsible Social Media Influencer Training on 25th November 2024, welcoming 71 influencers with audiences of 300,000 followers or more. The initiative was designed to help social media personalities better understand advertising regulations, ensuring that their content adheres to transparency and ethical marketing principles.

Recognising the need for continuous education in this space, RÖK committed to regular training sessions, expanding its reach and impact with the support of the Advertising Board of the Trade Ministry of the Republic of Turkey and the Tax Inspection Board of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance.

Since the initial launch, RÖK has successfully conducted two additional training sessions:

  • 9th January 2025: 83 influencers with 100,000+ followers participated in the second session.
  • 5th February 2025: The third session expanded its audience, including agency professionals for the first time. A total of 15 influencer agency representatives and 47 influencers (100,000+ followers each) attended.

Beyond the classroom: the impact of the training

While these training sessions have directly impacted 201 influencers and 15 agency professionals, their influence extends far beyond the participants themselves. Many attendees actively shared their learnings on social media, helping to spread awareness about responsible influencer marketing practices.

Notable examples include:

  • One influencer produced a YouTube video on “transparency”, attracting 16,000 views and educating a broader audience.
  • Another influencer with 563,000 followers created 11 Instagram reels, covering key topics such as when to use #ad, restrictions on food supplement claims, and best practices for health-related endorsements. By sharing these insights, she not only informed her followers but also encouraged fellow influencers to uphold ethical advertising practices.

Looking Ahead: Expanding IMST’s Reach

As part of its ongoing commitment to responsible marketing, RÖK has scheduled its fourth training session for 15th March 2025. This session will be specifically tailored for advertisers, including professionals from legal, regulatory affairs, marketing, and corporate affairs departments.

With continued efforts across multiple countries, EASA’s IMST framework is playing a crucial role in shaping a more transparent and responsible influencer marketing landscape in Europe.

Learn More

For more details about RÖK’s Responsible Social Media Influencer Training, visit:
🔗 https://www.rok.org.tr/sorumlu-sosyal-medya-etkileyicileri-egitimi/

To explore EASA’s broader work in influencer marketing, check out:
🔗 https://lnkd.in/evp3y_VY