The Commission is to update its 1988 Recommendation on payment systems, in the light of the rapidly expanding commercial activity in this area. The 1988 Recommendation laid down minimum standards for the issue of payment cards by banks. An updated version calls on MS to ensure by the end of 1998 that they have adequate… Continue reading EU: Electronic Payments
According to the Direct Mail Information Service, business-to-business direct mail is viewed by managers as more useful and relevant than at any previous time. The 1997 report into business use of direct mail says that 14 per cent of direct mail is now looked at and filed for future reference, against 10 per cent in… Continue reading UK: Direct Mail Strengthens
The Observer will be launching a discount card next weekend which will offer readers 20% off Penguin books plus further discounts over the next six months.The promotion, which will be supported with radio advertising through New PHD, will run in conjunction with Waterstones bookstores.Observer Press Office: 0171 239 9696
The Advertising Association 1998 National Conference, in conjunction with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, will be held in Leeds on 11 and 12 May at the Oulton Hall Hotel.The conference, subtitled “Seeking a balance between freedom and regulation in a changing European Market”, will feature addresses from James Best, chairman of BMP DDB,… Continue reading AA Announces National Conference Details
The ICC’s Marketing Commission has produced an “Issues Paper” discussing the ill-fated International Council of Marketing Practice (ICMP). The paper admits that the ICMP “has reviewed a very small number of cases” since its inception in the 1970s and appears to suggest that one reason for making it operational is that it is referenced in… Continue reading EU: ICC Considers Self-Regulation
Scottish Media has sold its 18% stake in Ulster TV to Canwest Global Communications for £23.9 million.Scottish revealed that it had approached the Ulster board with an offer for a full takeover but when this was rejected it decided to sell its stake to the Canadian broadcaster.Canwest now has a 29.9% stake in Ulster, the… Continue reading Scottish Media Sells Ulster Stake
General Cable, the UK’s fifth largest cable company, has said that it is in takeover talks with a number of interested parties.While it is not known who the possible suitors are, speculation is growing that TeleWest has made an offer which is being considered by the General Cable board. NTL is also said to be… Continue reading General Cable In Takeover Talks
Nigel Griffiths, UK consumer affairs minister, has published a consultation paper – sent to the credit industry and consumer bodies – aimed at clarifying and simplifying British consumer credit law. Several recommendations relate to advertising, including: the advertising of an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for mortgages aimed at people with low incomes should “reflect the… Continue reading UK: Credit Advertising
The US TV network broadcaster CBS has seen poor ratings for the Winter Olympic Games at Nagano, Japan, and is offering advertisers free extra time as compensation. CBS paid $375m for the rights to broadcast the Games – on which it hoped to make $60m profit – but so far it appears that audience figures… Continue reading US: Winter Olympics Flop
The long-awaited follow-up to the European Commission’s Green Paper on Commercial Communications is about to emerge from interservice consultation within the Commission. The paper is likely to go before the Commission within the next two weeks. A draft obtained by the Advertising Information Group confirms that the Commission remains determined to implement the proposals of… Continue reading EU: Green Paper Follow-Up
