The International Communications Round Table (ICRT) – whose groups include Bertelesmann, Reuters, Sony, Microsoft and Dow Jones, and which lobbies on behalf of companies in the media, communications and publishing industries – has called on EU governments to implement and interpret the Data Protection Directive with sensitivity and flexibility. Its concern is that global trade… Continue reading EU: Concern From Industry
The ITC has changed its rules to allow centre-break advertising in half-hour documentaries. Meanwhile, in a separate decision, it turned down a request from ISBA, the UK advertisers’ group, to increase advertising on terrestrial services from the existing average of 7 minutes per hour to an average of 9 minutes per hour.
The UK’s Broadcasting Standards Commission has suggested that those adhering to its new code on privacy and fairness could become exempt from key parts of the EU’s directive on data protection. The new code, which adds extra regulations to the ITC’s guidelines, will be published within the next two months.
Mr Jeff Rooker, minister for food safety, has said that the government will ban slimming products from April 1999 unless they meet new labelling and advertising rules designed to prevent false claims. Labels will have to list information such as calories, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, as well as warnings of possible side effects and… Continue reading UK: Threat Of Ban On Slimming Foods
The international advertising network Omnicom have bought the company responsible for British Airways’ new corporate logo, Newell & Sorrell. The Newell & Sorrell design consultancy is to merge with Omnicom’s wholly-owned subsidiary Interbrand UK to create Interbrand Newell & Sorrell (INS). John Sorrell, currently chairman at Newell & Sorrell will become chairman of the new… Continue reading Omnicom Buy Newell & Sorrell
The September Retail Price Index was announced this morning as 159.3, an increase of 0.5% on the previous month and a rise of 3.6% on September 1996.Subscribers can access RPI trends by selecting “Encyclomedia” from the drop-down box at the top of this page.
The EC has accepted a revised version of Spain’s Ley Digital, or digital TV law, although with some reservations. The original law caused conflict between the Spanish government and the EC as it imposed standards that outlawed a version of pay-TV set-top decoding boxes, unfairly favouring the system used by state broadcasters. The EU sent… Continue reading EU: Commission Accepts Spanish Law
The European Parliament’s legal affairs committee has proposed that the three key copyright issues (the rights of distribution, communication and reproduction) should be dealt with in one EU directive. The Barzanti Report claims that without a single legal framework, the internal market will be severely disrupted and possibly destroyed. The report also calls on the… Continue reading EU: MEPs For Copyright Controls
Italy is facing censure from the EC over its interpretation of the General Directive on Data Protection, which it implemented in May this year, the first MS so to do. But the Italian direct marketing industry is campaigning vigorously to have the legislation amended; the protests focus on the Italian government’s decision to impose an… Continue reading EU: EC Warns Italy Over Data Protection
IPC has announced the launch of its first title from the SouthBank Group’s recently established new product development team.With a cover date of Autumn/Winter Made Up! will launch on October 23 as a young women’s fashion and beauty magazine aimed at 16-24 year olds. The 132 page glossy will contain mostly real reader makeovers and… Continue reading IPC Launches Makeover Magazine
