The decision by the government is said to be in line with recommendations made in Lord Nolan's report on standards in public life. The ads will appear on Monday June 11.
However, the exercise is seen as little more than window dressing. While the ads will run nationally, the successor to Sir Christopher Bland is expected to be chosen from a shortlist of people with experience of politics and broadcasting.
Gavin Davies, Sir Christopher's deputy, is said to be the current favourite but his close ties with the Labour Party could work against him because the BBC's current director general Greg Dyke is a former donor to the party.
Virginia Bottomley, the former Conservative heritage secretary, is understood to have joined the current shortlist of hopefuls. Bottomley is known for her support of public service broadcasting and her Conservative ties would help pacify right-wing critics.
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