Before we start dissecting last weeks bumper 16 page colour pull-out in last weeks local papers, one of our eagle eyed correspondents has noticed that this would appear to breach Advertising Standards Authority code of practise, see:
RECOGNITION OF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
The CAP Code:
The UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing 15
Background
Other sections of the Code contain product-specific or audience-specific rules that are intended to protect consumers from misleading marketing communications. For example, the Charity-linked Promotions and Children sections of the Code contain rules that apply, as well as the general rules, to marketing communications that fall under those sections.
Rules
2.1 Marketing communications must be obviously identifiable as such.
2.2 Unsolicited e-mail marketing communications must be obviously identifiable as marketing communications without the need to open them (see rule 10.6).
2.3 Marketing communications must not falsely claim or imply that the marketer is acting as a consumer or for purposes outside its trade, business, craft or profession; marketing communications must make clear their commercial intent, if that is not obvious from the context.
2.4 Marketers and publishers must make clear that advertorials are marketing communications; for example, by heading them “advertisement feature”.
It would appear that rules 2.1 and 2.4 have been breached. We understand from our correspondent that a complaint has been made – we will let you know if it goes anywhere.
