The Advertising Association comments on Health Committee Report on Alcohol published 8 January 2010.  Rae Burdon, Chief Operating Officer of the Advertising Association says, “If the Health Committee understood young people, it wouldn’t be making these recommendations.  The issue is not what the report contains, but what it excludes: which is a proper analysis of the reasons for alcohol abuse.  Regrettably, this opportunity has been missed again; and easy targets like marketing have been misunderstood.  It appears that the Committee has undertaken very limited analysis of young people’s behaviour and attitudes, and what makes some of them drink irresponsibly”.

The Advertising Association says there is much that is positive in the very balanced Buckingham Report reviewing the ‘Impact of the Commercial World on Children’s Wellbeing’, published yesterday by Ed Balls MP, Children’s Secretary of State.

Tim Lefroy, Chief Executive of the Advertising Association says:

“This is a lengthy report at the end of an 18 month process, and we’re delighted with its many positive findings. This is a measured and thoughtful review of the role the commercial world has in society and particularly for children and young people. We are playing a full role in various initiatives as part of our responsible approach to marketing to children.”
 

The Advertising Association’s Food Advertising Unit (FAU) debated all sides of the obesity issue at its 12th Conference, held at “Altitude”, Millbank Tower in London yesterday, 26 November 2009.

The key message emerging from the day was that industry, advertisers and government had embraced, and made much progress, with the obesity debate, but there was still more to do. A sense of collaboration between all parties (political and commercial) was another key theme. There was agreement that obesity levels in the UK are still high, although the consensus was that it is levelling off.

The funding for extending the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) remit to marketing on websites has been agreed. The funding will include vital seed capital from Google. In addition, proposals have been formulated for the remaining two elements required to launch the extension: the ASA’s remit and sanctions.