Bird’s Eye ad banned for exaggerating size of portions
The ASA received a complaint that a TV ad for Bird’s Eye “Stir your senses” ready-made meals showed bulked-up portions and was therefore misleading. Daisy Jones reports.
All Articles in Regulatory
New tobacco packaging controls come into force
Following an unsuccessful last-ditch court challenge by cigarette manufacturers, plain packaging for all cigarette packs is now UK law. The tobacco industry brands the regime disproportionate and says it will appeal. Ben Dunham reports.
France launches new “do not call” list
The BLOCTEL list has been launched in France. Users can register their landline or mobile numbers to not receive marketing calls. How does this differ from the Pacitel list introduced in 2011? Vincent le Bars of Osborne Clarke Paris reports.
German court considers emails and customer satisfaction surveys
Can customers’ email addresses be used for satisfaction surveys without prior consent? Stephan Bahner of Osborne Clarke Cologne reports.
New proposals to boost EU e-commerce
To help unlock pan EU e-commerce, the European Commission has launched a package of proposals. Included are geo-blocking, parcel delivery pricing and greater powers for national authorities to enforce consumer rights. Stefania Grosso reports.
ICO fines “Better for the country” Brexit body £50,000
“Leave.eu” sent 500,000 spam texts to UK mobile users urging a referendum “Leave” vote. ICO said the recipients gave no prior consent and imposed a substantial fine. The organisation says it will appeal. Jude King reports.
Ofcom launches new mobile nuisance call opt-out
The UK’s “do not call” list enabling users to opt out of nuisance calls is available for mobile as well as landline numbers. Now Ofcom has acted to raise awareness of this and increase mobile registrations. Chloe Dumoulin-Richet reports.
Did Converse trainers prize make Bulmers promotion non-compliant?
To mark the launch of its new Bulmers blueberry flavour cider, Heineken ran a competition offering personalised Converse high-top trainers as a prize. Alcohol Concern complained to the ASA. What was the problem? Chloe Deng reports.
ICO trails its GDPR guidance programme
With the countdown now underway before Europe’s new data protection law comes into force on 25 May 2018, the UK data regulator has indicated what guidance it will be releasing for UK businesses and when. Eleanor Locke reports.
Direct marketing opt-in threat in Digital Economy Bill
The recent Queen’s Speech was criticised as lightweight. But lurking within was a harbinger of potential doom for the UK’s marketers in the form of a threat of an opt-in regime for cold calls. Georgina Graham reports.
Ultra Finishing Ltd fined £786,688 for resale price maintenance
Following an investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority has slapped a substantial fine on a bathroom supplies specialist for imposing illegal RPM on online retailers. Barney Sich reports.
High Court: Clearcast decision on Prevasore Lip Therapy ad not subject to judicial review
Does the TV ad vetting body perform a “function of a public nature”, thus rendering its decisions susceptible to judicial review? Anna Williams reports on the case of Diomed Direct vs Clearcast and the judgment of Stewart J.
