A draft Directive on financial services distance selling is scheduled to be drawn up by the European Commission in September. This follows the Commission’s promise to propose such a Directive after financial services were left out of the main directive on distance contracts, which has now been adopted by the Council of Ministers.
Dutch Health Minister Els Borst is reported to have written to the UK Health Minister, Frank Dobson, seeking information on the UK’s approach to the Commission’s tobacco advertising proposals at the forthcoming Health Council on 5 June. The UK now seems unlikely to endorse the proposals immediately, following the announcement that it will publish a… Continue reading EU: Presidency Awaits UK Decision
While there was considerable disappointment at the Commission’s inability to agree to take action earlier this year against the sponsorship aspects of the French Government’s Evin Law, which bans all alcohol and tobacco advertising, a more significant case is about to be considered. The case, which is also brought by the Amsterdam Group on behalf… Continue reading EU: EC To Consider Action Against Loi Evin
The 1997 Banner Survey was published yesterday. This annual study published by the IT marketing services company Banner & Co, analyses the purchasing and readership habits of computer decision-makers in all types of businesses.Many IT insiders were surprised to discover that only 39% of all the UK’s small companies have a computer, there has been… Continue reading The 1997 Banner Survey
There were fewer complaints in the first quarter of this year about the quality of radio adverts on commercial radio than there were about the quality of programmes. These findings are detailed in the Radio Authority’s Quarterly Bulletin for this period.Between January and March of this year the Authority received 80 complaints about advertising and… Continue reading Fewer Ad Complaints
Classic FM was named national radio station of the year in this week’s Sony Radio Awards. This is the second time the classical music station has won this award in its four year history. The judges recognised the station’s quality, consistency, creativity and its accessible and impressive programme menu.Local radio station of the year went… Continue reading The Sony Radio Awards 1997
The Regional Press Club, a voluntary body dedicated to supporting and promoting regional press interests, has appointed Cathy Richards, regional media director of Zenith as its first female chairman. She takes over from Roy Jeans, managing director of Amra Ltd, and will serve for 2 years.Richards commented: “My plan for the coming years is simply… Continue reading First Female Chair
The Queen’s Speech on 14 May has clarified that the Government favours the removal of food safety and health protection responsibilities from the Ministry of Agriculture and the collection of all aspects of food standards “from plough to plate” into a new statutory agency, to be called the Food and Health Commission. The Government has… Continue reading UK: Food Standards Agency Proposed
The EU Industry and Telecoms Commissioner, Martin Bangemann, is calling for a slimmed-down version of the original four-year programme for the promotion of wide-screen TV. The proposal is opposed by EU Budget Commissioner Erkki Liikanen, who believes that the project has not proved itself satisfactorily. A damning report just published by the Court of Auditors… Continue reading EU: Dispute Over Wide-Screen TV Funding
The new Minister for Consumer Affairs, Nigel Griffiths MP, saw officials of the Advertising Association within a week of being appointed. The wide-ranging discussion broached a number of subjects, although the performance of advertising self-regulation was agreed to be the key issue.
