The Reader’s Digest has just released its annual list of the 50 Most Trusted Professions.

This of course ranges down to the least trusted professions very quickly.

It’s interesting how little the professions ratings change over time. Although more fascinating is that advertising people don’t even make the list.

Maybe if the list ran to the top 100 most trusted they might make an appearance?

The annual Roy Morgan Ethics and Honesty rating includes advertising people in its list of 30 categories. Advertising people come in at second last, just behind real estate agents and ahead of car salesman. Obviously all the hype around MADMEN hasn’t changed people’s beliefs.

Roy Morgan has been tracking people’s attitudes since 1986 – you can download a copy of the ratings chart here.

Advertising people have consistently held a poor rating in the level of trust by consumers. Why is an industry that earns its living building brands and creating images in consumers minds, so lousy at managing its own image?

Does anyone in the industry even care?

Hmmm I just noticed that university lecturers (of which I am one) rate as the 10th most trusted on Roy Morgan’s list.

I’m off to change my signature file – trust me I am…