The Advertising Association (AA) has announced two senior hires to complete a new management team at the Association, charged with delivering its agenda-setting strategy.

Karen Fraser and Ged Glover join the AA in June. Karen will lead the AA’s new research capability, while Ged joins as Commercial Director. The news follows Ian Barber’s appointment in April as Director of Communications to lead a new Industry Affairs team alongside Sue Eustace, Director of Public Affairs.

The UK advertising industry will report a faster than expected recovery in 2010 according to the latest Advertising Association (AA) and Warc Expenditure Report released today. Total advertising spend fell by 12% in 2009, the biggest fall since measurement began in 1982. The data is now trending towards a return to modest growth in Q1 2010 – two quarters earlier than previously expected. AA/Warc has also upgraded its full-year 2010 forecast from 0.4% growth to 2.3%. The AA/Warc Expenditure Report is the most comprehensive measure of UK advertising activity, encompassing a range of sources including print, cinema, TV and digital.

The Advertising Association (AA) has appointed Ian Barber as its new Director of Communications to accelerate the organisation’s move towards a more agenda-setting strategy. Ian will join forces with the AA’s current Director of Public Affairs, Sue Eustace, in a new 'Industry and External Affairs Directorate'.

Tim Lefroy, The AA’s Chief Executive said: “As one of a number of changes I want to initiate, we are on a mission to put a more pro-active approach in place alongside effective rebuttal and defence of our industry. Ian’s expertise will be a real asset to the AA and the industry we represent.”

The Government’s response to the Select Committee’s recommendations on alcohol marketing appear carefully considered and proportionate. We are pleased that there is a focused desire to ensure evidence-based decisions, reviews and sanctions. The due consideration to the impact upon the UK creative and cultural industries is welcome, especially when some of the extreme recommendations made by the Health Select Committee are not seen to be an effective response to the potential harm the Committee seeks to prevent.

We understand the Government wishes to conduct a further independent review of the current evidence on potential harm to children and young people from alcohol advertising, promotion and sponsorship. There is a wealth of evidence already in the public domain, and together with this, we would hope that this further process arrives at a balanced outcome.