ERA UK News
- ERA UK Chairman Mike Wells’ summary of the most recent ERA UK meeting is available for members to read here: ERA November 4th 2009 Minutes – final
- The ASA non-broadcast complaints procedure is available here: ASASA non-broadcast complaint handling procedure
July 2009: ERA UK met on June 28th at the annual conference in Monaco.
The group discussed the recent rulings from Ofcom which, inter alia, remove the three-hour limit on teleshopping windows, allow PSB channels to broadcast teleshopping between 24:00 – 06:00 and reclassify gambling and gaming programmes as teleshopping.
In general, the Group welcomed the changes to the amount of teleshopping allowed, although it was noted, at this early stage, that few broadcasters have yet extended their teleshopping output. To date, no PSB channels have begun broadcasting teleshopping. The synchronisation of the extension of teleshopping hours and reclassification of gaming/gambling was welcomed. It was previously feared that gambling/gaming advertisers would “push out” traditional teleshopping from the three hour windows by virtue of being able to afford higher media rates. Now that channels may broadcast more than three hours, they can open up teleshopping airtime late-night, to suit the gambling/gaming companies, while maintaining daytime windows for other teleshopping.
The issue of psychic and advertising for “adult services” remains unresolved, in that such output such services would fall foul of the advertising codes were they it to be classified as advertising. It is understood that the regulators maybe considering creating a separate classification for such advertising, with its own set of codes.
Consultation on the review of the BCAP advertising codes in underway. Hugh Geach has made a submission, on behalf of ERA UK, which is available HERE.
There was concern that an ERA Europe member company maybe broadcasting non-compliant material on its UK shopping channel. This issue has already been flagged to the Self-Regulation officer and will be followed-up.
Delegates requested more regular updates on topics relevant to UK teleshopping. A suggestion that monthly communiqués be produced and circulated will certainly be entertained. The Chair and Secretary would welcome information from individual members for inclusion in these communiqués which would benefit the Group as a whole.
Delegates also suggested setting a formal calendar for ERA UK meetings, rather than meeting being organised on an ad-hoc basis tied to regulatory events. It was agreed that the Group would meet regularly at the ERA Europe and ERA Vegas conferences and also at the winter European meetings. Additional meetings would be called and convened as and when appropriate. The next meeting of ERA UK will therefore take place at the September Las Vegas conference. Date, time and venue to be announced.
May 2009: ERA UK meeting
For minutes of the most recent ERA UK meeting, which took place at the offices of Euro RSCG DRTV in London, please visit the report in our sister publication the ERA Europe Newsshop here
PRESS RELEASE
Press Release, London, June 2008. The Electronic Retailing Association UK is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chair. At a meeting of the ERA UK Board; June 22, 2008, Mike Wells, Deputy Managing Director of Dolphin Television, was appointed as the new Chair. Mike has considerable experience of television media sales and teleshopping, with over ten years experience in the teleshopping industry, both in the UK and mainland Europe, and was previously Media Director at Best Direct International.
The ERA UK (see below) has been actively involved as a board member of BCAP (The Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice) in the full review of the Advertising Standards Code, which is due to go out for full public consultation later in 2008. The ERA UK has also submitted responses to a series of Ofcom consultations on Participation TV and the Review on the Amount and Distribution of Advertising.
For further information contact: Hugh Geach (Secretary of ERA UK) +44 (0)7973 411981
ERA UK Chapter – Affiliate of ERA EUROPE
ERA EUROPE acquired in June 2005 the BRITISH TELEVISION SHOPPING ASSOCIATION which become ERA UK, the British Chapter and affiliate of the Electronic Retailing Association, Europe..
Founded in 2002 , the British Television Shopping Association had been established to officially represent the Television Shopping Industry in relation with the ITC and the AA. After its creation in November 2003, in the OFCOM delegation articles of OFCOM to ASA, it was recommended that ASA (B) BCAP, the Official Advertising Self Regulation Institution in the UK, liaise with BTSA regarding Teleshopping matters. This was the backbone of the BTSA activities during the period 2002-2005. After the affiliation in ERA EUROPE, this close relationship has continued, with an extended scope, benefiting from the coordination of the Teleshopping Industry Self Regulation efforts all over Europe, as part of the industry positionning and relations in the EU institutions (EU Commission and Parliament). ERA UK is now on the Board of BCAP and actively participates in the revision of the British Advertising Standards due to be completed next year.
ERA UK leadership
Continuity with the BTSA mission, and integration in the ERA EUROPE agenda and priorities, are provided by the ex-officio presence on the ERA EUROPE Board of directors, of the ERA UK Chairman, now Mike Wells – Director Dolphin Televisions Ltd - Elected Chairman of ERA UK in June 2008 . The ERA UK Executive Committee is composed of:
David Lancelot (Legal Counsel – QVC UK) – Henry Scott – CEO -Simply Media Tv Ltd (Director of ERA UK) – Andrew Fryatt – Richard Whinfrey – Founder & Director The Maverick Consultancy (Director of ERA UK) 6 John Bramm – CEO – TVShopping Ltd.The Secretary of ERA UK is Hugh Geach, recognized expert on compliance, representing ERA UK in British Self Regulation institutions.
This group of high level British volunteers has been actively involved in the building of ERA EUROPE Self regulation Programme, and in the drafting an representation of ERA EUROPE / ERA UK positions, in the current consultation conducted by OFCOM prior to the implementation of the new Audiovisual Media Services Directive voted in December 2007.
Membership and ERA UK By-Laws.
- Members of ERA EUROPE operating in the United Kingdom are automatically members of ERA UK.
- Members of ERA UK pay one annual dues to ERA EUROPE -ERA UK – see ERA UK Chapter Dues Schedule
- Members of ERA UK are enjoying all ERA EUROPE and ERA membership benefits, publications, and special rates at ERA Conferences worldwide.
- They benefit from a single and united institutional representation in the United Kingdom, dealing and dialoging with ASA(B) BCAP, the OFCOM, the Advertising Association and all other relevant British institutions, such as the DCMS, and British members of the European Parliament.
ERA UK/ERA EUROPE by laws and membership compliance include the obligation of signing into the ERA EUROPE Self Regulation programme, which includes all British provisions for compliance. Following the ERA Europe Marketing Guidelines is a commitment to compliance with the British Codes of Advertising applicable to the Teleshopping Industry.
The BTSA / ERA UK Self regulation programme, has been heralded as an exemplary effort by the Advertising Association, and in public speaches, by the ASA leadership.
To Join ERA UK, download the ERA UK Membership Application
