ISBA Group To Work With Ofcom On Alcohol Advertising
The Incorporated Society of British Advertisers has announced plans to work with industry regulator Ofcom on its proposed changes to alcohol advertising regulations, assigning its specialist Alcohol Advertisers Working Group to lobby the regulator over alterations to its code.
The advertiser’s group comprises senior representatives of ISBA’s alcoholic drinks sector members and has already held discussions with Ofcom in relation to its plans to revamp advertising regulations for the drinks sector (see Ofcom Calls Time On Loosely Regulated Alcohol Adverts).
ISBA states that, although the draft advertising code formulated by the watchdog appears to reflect the Group’s comments directly, Ofcom’s planned revisions to youth advertising differ significantly from those suggested. The group therefore plan to continue dialogue with Ofcom, ensuring that the final revisions will be “proportionate and practicable”.
Commenting on the revisions to alcohol advertising Ian Twinn, ISBA’s director of public affairs said: “We have welcomed the opportunity to work closely with the Government and Ofcom in contributing to the revising of the codes and will be making our own observations in response to this consultation once we have fully considered the detailed wording of draft codes.”
He added: “Above all we believe it is important that any new codes are both proportionate and practicable. Industry’s positive engagement in helping to develop the codes to contribute to the Government’s harm reduction strategy is a responsibility we will continue to take seriously.”
Ofcom announced a public consultation on new rules governing the advertising of alcoholic drinks on television yesterday. The watchdog claims the new regulations will respond to continued debate between industry and consumer groups and will seek to outlaw advertising campaigns which glamourise or trivialise the consumption of alcoholic products (see Ofcom Calls Time On Loosely Regulated Alcohol Adverts).
ISBA: 020 7499 7502 www.isba.org.uk
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