Advertising news in brief

Ad spend grows

Media advertising budgets look set to grow for 2005 compared to last year according to the newly released Q4 2004 Bellwether Report – the quarterly survey of marketing budgets. Advertising budgets were less for the fourth quarter due to an unexpected slowdown in sales for many companies. The forecast for an increase in budgeted spend for this year is the largest net increase for future spend since the third quarter in 2000. The predicted growth rate exceeds all other marketing categories for 2005 says the report.

ACC reports success

The Advertising Advisory Committee (AAC) reports that its first meeting on alcohol and food advertising was a success. The Committee will act as a sounding board for the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), as it updates the TV and radio advertising codes. Elizabeth Filkin, the independent chair of the ACC and former Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, said the newly appointed panel of seven consumer experts quickly established itself as an effective team with complementary skills.

AA supports rules

Ofcom's new rules on alcohol advertising are tough but proportionate says the Advertising Association (AA) in response to the statement by the Royal College of Physicians. It said that the new rules on alcohol advertising are too weak and that it should be banned on television before 9pm. Andrew Brown, the AA's director-general said: “We recognise and support Ofcom's new rules on alcohol advertising that have been tightened up in response to the Strategy Unit's Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy.”

EU Commissioner speaks out

Self-regulation in the food industry would be the most effective way to tackle obesity says EU Commissioner Markos Kyprianou. He added that he would like to see the food industry not advertising directly to children anymore. In response, Ian Twinn, ISBA director of Public Affairs said: “Obesity is a real issue which business takes seriously, but calls for blanket bans on advertising to children miss the point. Business wants to work closely with the Commission and national Governments in promoting a balanced healthy lifestyle and to encourage consumers to eat a balanced diet.”