The Advertising Association promotes the role and rights of responsible advertising and its value to people, society, businesses and the economy. We represent UK advertisers, agencies, media owners and tech companies on behalf of the entire industry, acting as the connection between industry professionals and the politicians and policy-makers.

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The Advertising Association focuses on major industry and policy areas that have huge ramifications on UK advertising. This section contains our work around Brexit, HFSS and gambling advertising, data and e-privacy, trust, the digital charter and our Industrial Strategy campaigns.

Credos is the advertising industry’s independent think tank. It produces research, evidence and reports into the impact and effectiveness of and public and political response to advertising on behalf of UK advertisers in order to enable the industry to make informed decisions.

Front Foot is our industry’s member network of over 50 businesses across UK advertising. It aims to promote the role of responsible advertising and its value to people, society and the economy through a coalition of senior leaders from advertisers, agencies and media owners.

We run a number of events throughout the year, from our annual LEAD summit to the Media Business Course and regular breakfast briefings for our members. We are also the official UK representative for the world’s biggest festival of creativity – Cannes Lions.

ADVERTISING MATTERS 18.06.21

/ June 18th 2021 / Ellie Mason
Industry News

PARTNERING WITH UK GOVERNMENT & CANNES LIONS

This week we announced that UK Government and the advertising industry are partnering to create a unique opportunity around Cannes Lions for all UK advertising and marketing services companies looking to begin their export journey with the UK Advertising Export Group (UKAEG).

This will be via a special online venue, UK House, which will open and run networking and lead generation events for sixth months from July 8th, celebrating the very best of UK creativity as awarded by Cannes Lions. As part of this, we have 150 FREE membership passes to Lions Live, which starts on Monday. Apply for one of these passes now – the deadline is EOP today!

In addition, companies can apply to speak at UK House regarding a topic that reflects the 2021 Cannes Lions content themes. UKAEG welcomes applications from all UK companies that sell services to brands and fall into the Creative Industries across advertising, screen, immersive, experience, music, design and branding, social media and games. To find out more, please email Aisling.Conlon@adassoc.org.uk. You can also book your free seat at UK House here. You can read the full announcement here, and more in Prolific North and New Digital Age.

From June 21-25, for the first time ever, the whole world can watch the Cannes Lions awards live. You will be able to experience the first ever digitally broadcast Awards, take part in community meet-ups and dive into 150+ hours of sessions, keynotes and debates on demand. Pass holders will also be able to browse over 150+ films and 40+ hours of creativity from multi-Lion award winners and Oscar-winning creatives. Read more and check out the full schedule here.

LAUNCHING ‘THE WORKS’

On Monday a new partnership was announced between our Trust Working Group, Marketing Week and Kantar, on a new regular series, The Works.

The Works is a study that will test a selection of high-profile current ads with the public every month, to determine which are working best. Each month will focus on a different media channel in rotation, starting with television. Marketing Week will then reveal the best-received campaign to help marketers deliver stronger, more creative and more commercially successful work.

Our Chief Executive, Stephen Woodford, commented: “We know from our own research on what drives public trust and favourability that the creativity, information and social contribution of advertising are the top three positive influences. So this is about showing what is best for brands is also good for the overall reputation and impact of advertising.” Read more about the partnership here.

The Works ad for April was also revealed this week – Walkers’ ‘CrispIn or CrispOut’ – which won over the public by tapping into ‘unspoken behaviour’. Read more about why it scored so high here.

DO YOU USE STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATIONS?

Do you use Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes? Are they currently fit for purpose? Would you change anything?

The ONS is currently reviewing the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) coding system. More than 10 years have passed since the last review in 2007 and there is general consensus that some parts of the classification no longer accurately describe the economy of today. The DCMS are convening a response on behalf of the creative industries and are seeking input from industry. If you would like to feed in please contact dan.wilks@adassoc.org.uk.

THE DIGITAL SERVICES ACT

Konrad Shek, Director of Policy Research here at the AA, has written an opinion piece on why it’s time to have a proper debate about the Digital Services Act and personalised advertising.

He said: “The Digital Services Act is one of the first major updates of Europe’s digital rules in over two decades. It’s big, ambitious, and likely to have profound effects on the entire digital ecosystem in Europe for years to come.” You can read the article here.

THIS WEEK: UK ADVERTISING IN THE MEDIA

In our weekly series we are pulling together, in one place, a selection of must-reads from across our industry media.

Click here to check it out!

AD OF THE WEEK

You’ve made it this far – why not treat yourself and watch our ad of the week?

Want the full edition to land in your inbox every Friday? Drop us an email on aa@adassoc.org.uk and quote ‘Ad Matters’.