William Kennard, new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has continued the tough line of his predecessor, Reed Hundt, on the issue of alcohol advertising on television. Kennard has endorsed the idea of an inquiry in TV spirits advertising, promising to discuss the matter with his fellow Commissioners before the new Commission meets for the… Continue reading US: FCC Continues Tough Line
Information company Taylor Nelson AGB has just announced that it is to buy French rival Sofres for £119 million. The deal, which is expected to be completed in the next three weeks, will create the fourth largest marketing information company in the world.TNAGB said that the reasons for the alliance with Sofres were its common… Continue reading Taylor Nelson Buys French Rival
The ITC has called into question product exposure in television programmes in its recent complaints report. A Tyne Tees children’s show contained a studio interview with ‘a Lego bloke from Legoland’ who proceeded to talk about Lego products. The interview was followed by a competition offering the prize of a trip to Legoland or Lego… Continue reading Children’s Show Criticised For Over-Exposure Of Lego Products
Marie-Georges Buffet, France’s sports minister, has said that strict alcohol advertising rules will not be altered to allow World Cup soccer sponsor Anheuser Busch, the US brewing company, to advertise its Budweiser beer at the World Cup finals in France next year.
The Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) has produced a draft of its new Code on Fairness and Privacy. The Broadcasting Act 1996 required the newly-formed BSC to produce the codes of conduct which have been constructed in consultation with over 200 interested parties. The code is a statutory requirement for broadcasters.Copies of the code will be… Continue reading Fairness And Privacy Codes
The Internet recently faced what was perhaps its biggest test to date. The world logged on in anticipation of Judge Hiller Zobel’s announcement of the fate of Louise Woodward. His decision was to be posted first on the Internet and disseminated from there. In theory then, anyone in the world was allowed access to the… Continue reading Web Round-Up W/E 21/11/97
In the UK Parliament it has been decided that the Culture, Media and Sport Committee (comprising MPs from all parties) will conduct a inquiry into audio-visual communications and the regulation of broadcasting, in the light of the convergence between broadcasting, telecommunications and computer technologies. The inquiry will not examine in detail the operation of current… Continue reading UK: Inquiry Into Convergence Regulation
Associated New Media, part of Associated Newspapers, will be launching an online guide to London which will draw on the resources of the Evening Standard .The site, called ThisisLondon.com, will be supported by advertising and targeted at residents, tourists and business visitors.It is expected to launch at the end of November or beginning of December… Continue reading Associated To Launch London Guide
Under the co-decision procedure, the Conciliation Committee of representatives of the Council and the European Parliament has reached agreement on the Directive concerning common rules for the development of the internal market of Community postal services and the improvement of quality of service. The Directive creates a common internal market in the postal sector and… Continue reading EU: Agreement on Postal Services
British Interactive Broadcasting has appointed David Hilton as its chief executive with immediate effect. The company, set up by BSkyB to facilitate the launch of digital TV services (subscribers see BSkyB Launches Digital Services Company), is also planning to announce further senior appointments soon.…BSkyB has a new finance director in the shape of Nick Carrington… Continue reading BIB Gets Chief Executive
