Recent and Future CAP Events (20 December 2006)
The ASA and CAP recently welcomed over 100 agency new recruits through their doors to be trained on the dos and don’ts of advertising. Also, we were in Bristol last month to update practitioners in the area on the latest developments in ad regulation. To learn more about our training and events, click below.
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Just popping down your ‘local’? It might be further than you think. (20 December 2006)
It’s not just ads for wind farms that raise the temperature at the ASA. An ad for Tesco in North Wales raised the ire of many who lived in or near Bangor. How local is “local”? In our second article with an environmental theme, read about the lessons to be learned from ASA adjudications on claims for farms of very different types. Click below for more.
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‘Green’ ad claims on the rise as the climate debate heats up (20 December 2006)
In what is becoming a growing trend, advertisers are increasingly appealing to consumers’ sense of eco-friendliness by making claims about the climate-saving properties of their products. But, in their rush to be ‘green’, advertisers have sometimes fallen foul of the advertising codes and been told by the ASA to ensure that the ‘green’ claims they make are more than just hot air.
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Food and soft drink advertising to children (20 December 2006)
OFCOM has, after much deliberation, decided on the new TV restrictions on the advertising of food and soft drink advertisements to children. They are neither what the industry wanted for itself nor what the pressure groups wanted the Government to impose on the industry. To that extent, one might think OFCOM has got it right. But, in what many in the food and advertising industries see as departing from evidence-based measures and as setting the scene for the regulation of advertisements for food products in the UK along lines that many other countries might well adopt in future, OFCOM has aroused the ire of much of the industry. Click below for more information about the new restrictions.
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Shock tactics and heart strings (20 December 2006)
Some recent ASA adjudications have highlighted the fine line some charity advertisers tread when trying to promote their organisations and attract donations. It’s easy to go too far and get it wrong. Click below to find out how to avoid the pitfalls.
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Big Brother we are watching you! (20 December 2006)
Fancy a taste of fame and fortune? Thousands did this summer when they entered a prize draw to become the new Big Brother housemate. But some were outraged to see their entries rejected because they were under 18, a fact that had not been mentioned in advertisements for the promotion. Click below to find out how your prize draws can avoid misleading consumers.
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Ringing the changes (20 December 2006)
Seek Copy Advice on your telecoms ads and benefit from an update to CAP’s Help Note on the Advertising of Price Claims in Telecommunications Marketing. Learn more by attending our next Advice:am event.
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CAP and BCAP welcome new ASA Chairman (07 November 2006)
The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) welcomed the appointment today of Lord Smith of Finsbury, former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as the new Chairman of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
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The CAP and BCAP Consultation on Gambling Advertising has now closed (04 October 2006)
The CAP and BCAP Consultation on Non-broadcast and Broadcast Advertising of Gambling closed on 15 September 2006. CAP and BCAP would like to thank all those who responded.
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Recent and Future CAP Events (17 August 2006)
Since the last issue of Update@CAP, CAP has held an Advice:am session on the rules for motoring ads and direct marketing. CAP has other events planned this year: a half day event for ad professionals in the Bristol area, agency graduate training and a repeat of the DM seminar.
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New broadcast role for industry advice panel (17 August 2006)
The General Media Panel, the panel of industry experts that guides the Executive on Code interpretation, is being expanded to give advice on broadcast advertising matters as well as non-broadcast. Find out about the role and remit of this important aspect of the self-regulatory system and the new changes to its structure.
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Keeping problem ads out of the public eye (17 August 2006)
The role of the media owner as gatekeeper is vital in ensuring that ads that breach the CAP Code do not get published; it’s the media’s primary contribution to the ‘self’ in self-regulation. CAP helps media owners by issuing Ad Alerts to warn them about ads that break the rules. Click below to find out how Ad Alerts work.
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CAP's 'Ask an Adviser' prize draw winners announced (17 August 2006)
CAP’s ‘Ask an Adviser’ prize draw promotion to raise awareness of the free-of-charge Copy Advice service ended on 20 July. The draw was made by Chris Harley-Martin, VP Marketing and Innovation for GSK Nutritional Healthcare.
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OFT guidance on discounted price claims (17 August 2006)
In the past, the ASA has sometimes imposed a more stringent test on whether high claimed previous prices were realistic or misleading than had those responsible for deciding the legality of discounted price claims. The OFT has recently issued guidance that brings the legal and self-regulatory frameworks into line. The guidance applies to non-broadcast ads only; the ASA, of course administers both the CAP Code and the BCAP Codes.
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The price you see is the price you pay (17 August 2006)
That is the basic principle the ASA applies to price claims in ads: prices should include mandatory charges. In the past, not everybody has agreed with or followed that line. Towards the end of July, the European Commission published proposals to improve transparency in flight pricing; they embody that same principle. Prices, whether stated in ads covered by the CAP or BCAP Codes or on websites, should be fair and transparent and include all charges.
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CAP and BCAP consultation on the regulation of non-broadcast and broadcast gambling ads (17 August 2006)
The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) have recently launched a public consultation on proposed new rules to regulate non-broadcast and broadcast advertisements for gambling, including the UK National Lottery and spread betting. The proposals are designed to ensure that gambling advertisements are responsible and regulation is robust.
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Functional Food claims in the spotlight again (17 August 2006)
Since our childhood, we’ve heard that certain foods are good for us: fish was always known as “brain food”, spinach made us grow up as strong as Popeye and … well, we all remember why beans were deemed to be good for the heart. But, in these health-conscious days, health claims for foods are more than playground lore: they make big money for big firms. And now marketers need to be aware that two recent ASA adjudications have underlined once and for all just how relevant and definitive the evidence to support such claims has to be.
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It’s political. But is it correct? (17 August 2006)
Last year, TV ads for the Make Poverty History campaign were pulled because they were deemed political. This year, the ASA decided that a press ad that implied Iran’s nuclear missiles could threaten the safety of people from Mongolia to the UK was not scaremongering. Just what is allowed in ads that touch on political sensitivities?
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Ads that drive consumers to online despair (17 August 2006)
In a recent ruling, the ASA decided that unclear information on a company’s website made ads driving consumers to that site misleading. The ASA’s remit doesn’t cover the claims on companies’ websites so click below to find out how the ASA reached its decision.
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Warning – contains strong language (17 August 2006)
Another advertiser has come a cropper with the ASA by using swearing in an ad. “Where the bloody hell” (a quote) do you stand on that? Click below to find out more about the ASA decision and what you can learn from it.
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Talk is cheap and so is broadband. But is it really “free”? (17 August 2006)
The ASA recently investigated and upheld complaints about Carphone Warehouse’s multi-media ad campaign for its TalkTalk telephone package that offered “free broadband forever”. So, if advertisers are allowed to use the word “free”, how did Carphone Warehouse mislead consumers and what are the ramifications of the ruling for advertisers?
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Gambling Advertising Consultation Launched (18 July 2006)
The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) have launched a public consultation on proposed new rules for regulating gambling advertisements. Respondents are invited to comment on the proposed set of rules that are designed to ensure that gambling advertisements are socially responsible.
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Future CAP events and training seminars (22 May 2006)
CAP's Advice:am series will be focusing on motoring advertising and DM for its next seminars followed by a seminar on direct marketing and CAP will be going to Bristol for its annual Regulation Update later in the year. There's also training for IPA agencies in October on their responsibilities as part of the self-regulatory system.
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Review of CAP events and training seminars January to April 2006 (22 May 2006)
What happens when the ASA gets a complaint about my marketing material? How can I get my DM checked in the first place? Marketers got the answers to those questions and many more by meeting CAP and ASA staff at events and training seminars already held this year.
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London Olympics 2012 (22 May 2006)
Do you know your LOCOG from your LOAR and your OSPA? What are IOC and IPC? BOA and BPA? Does it matter? After all, 2012 is six years away. Well, yes, it does matter. And sooner than you might think.
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‘Hot’ lines find themselves in hot water (22 May 2006)
In recent months the ASA has investigated and upheld complaints against TV ads for premium-rate services on the grounds that they promoted services that were, or seemed to be, of a sexual nature. Those rulings serve to remind advertisers in this sector what is and is not acceptable and how the BCAP TV Code is applied.
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What was in the ASA Annual Report and CAP review of 2005? (22 May 2006)
You might have looked at the ASA Annual Report and CAP review of the year when we alerted you to its publication at the end of last month. If you didn’t or would like a re-cap of the main facts, click below for our summary.
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Advertising food to children (22 May 2006)
OFCOM’s consultation on the advertising of food and drink to children ends on 30 June. It’s your chance to have your say. But you don’t have much time.
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New rules on health, diet and nutritional claims in non-broadcast alcohol ads (19 May 2006)
The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) has announced a new restriction on non-broadcast ads for alcoholic drinks. The new rule allows factual information about an alcoholic drink's contents but forbids any type of health claim. It is accompanied by a CAP Help Note.
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Guidance issued on the Gaming Act and remote gambling (19 May 2006)
The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Gambling Commission have recently published joint guidance on how they consider the Gaming Act 1968 applies to advertisements for remote gaming, after concerns that some recent non-broadcast ads were illegal.
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London Olympics Games Guidance (19 May 2006)
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Ltd (LOCOG) has published on its website guidance on London 2012 Olympics legislation and how it affects marketers.
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Alcohol advertising rule changes (04 May 2006)
Today, the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) has announced that it has changed the rules for non-broadcast advertisements for alcoholic drinks.
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Ask an Adviser (05 April 2006)
CAP Copy Advice is a professional consultation service for advertisers and marketers that is fast, free and confidential. Our team of advisers offers an informed view of the likely acceptability of your non-broadcast marketing communications under the CAP Code. Click here to find out more and contact an advisor.
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New alcohol rule introduced (04 April 2006)
Today, the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) has announced that it has issued a new restriction on television and radio ads for alcohol products. The new rule allows factual statements about an alcoholic drink's contents but forbids any type of health, fitness or weight control claim.
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New rules on health, diet and nutritional claims in radio and TV alcohol ads (03 April 2006)
Today, BCAP has launched two new rules and guidance on alcohol advertisements.
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Television advertising of food and drink products to children (28 March 2006)
On 28 March, Ofcom announced a ten-week consultation on television advertising of food and soft drink products to children. Ofcom has proposed three policy options that contain, firstly, volume or scheduling restrictions on TV ads for either HFSS foods or for all food and soft drinks and, secondly, content restrictions that apply to all food or soft drinks TV ads.
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Redemption! (27 February 2006)
A recent ASA adjudication has highlighted misleading ads for reduced monthly charges for phone services.
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Stamping out advertising scams (27 February 2006)
You might think scams perpetrated by others are nothing to do with you. But, if so, you would be wrong. Click below to find out why.
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Food for thought (27 February 2006)
Last year we thought the OFCOM consultation on changes to the BCAP Codes would have finished by now but it has not even started yet. Click below to find out CAP and BCAP’s latest news.
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Young’s adjudication sets benchmark for alcohol advertisements (27 February 2006)
In January, the ASA adjudicated on a complaint about an alcoholic drink ad since the CAP Code and the BCAP TV Code alcohol clauses changed last October. Does it shed light on how the ASA will interpret the new clauses? Click below to find out.
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Check-up leads to pulling of toothpaste ads (27 February 2006)
Monitoring by BCAP resulted in ads by two toothpaste manufacturers being adjudicated on by the ASA and withdrawn because of the way they used recommendations by dentists. Click below to find out more about the rulings and the work of the Monitoring team.
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Can I phone your friend? (27 February 2006)
Or, rather, can I e-mail him? A recent ASA adjudication has revealed some pitfalls in not obtaining consent before sending commercial e-mails to someone whose prior consent you have not obtained.
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Traditional Chinese medicine – just what the Doctor ordered? (27 February 2006)
Having the right to make an informed decision about healthcare is one of life’s most important decisions. Some recent ASA adjudications have spotlighted the misleading claims made by certain traditional Chinese medicine practitioners; click below to find out more.
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Updated CAP and BCAP Codes (27 February 2006)
CAP and BCAP have made technical amendments to their Codes to reflect changes in the law. Click below to find out more.
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CAP confirms that its Code covers viral advertisements (27 February 2006)
To clear up speculation within the industry that virals are outside the scope of the CAP Code, CAP has issued a Help Note that explains its policy on viral ads.
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Topics for 2006 Advice:am seminars confirmed (27 February 2006)
To help ensure your marketing communications comply with the advertising codes, CAP will continue its popular Advice:am seminar series in 2006.
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Compliance (27 February 2006)
Do you know how the ASA and CAP Executive works to ensure compliance with the CAP Code. If not, visit the new compliance section on the CAP website or click below.
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