CAUTION URGED OVER PRODUCT PLACEMENT
07/01/2010

The Portman Group is concerned to ensure that product placement on television is not allowed to undermine the existing strict controls on alcohol marketing.

The Government is currently consulting on whether to allow television programme makers to accept payment in return for product placement on television.

 

The content of alcohol marketing in the UK is strictly regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority and the Portman Group.

 

David Poley, Chief Executive of the Portman Group, said:

 

“It could be far more difficult to control the message in product placement than with advertising.  The danger is that less scrupulous companies would exploit this.  We could see all kinds of unwise and unhealthy drinking portrayals.  We do not want to see product placement unless it can be regulated to the same high standards as all other alcohol marketing.”

 

Notes to Editors

 

A copy of the full Portman Group response to the Department for Culture Media and Sport consultation can be read here:  http://www.portmangroup.org.uk/assets/documents/DCMS%20consultation%20on%20product%20placement%20-%20Jan%2020100.pdf

 

The work of the Portman Group is funded by its eight member companies: Bacardi-Martini, Beverage Brands, Carlsberg UK; Molson Coors Brewing Company UK; Diageo; Heineken UK, Inbev UK and Pernod Ricard.

 

For more information contact the Portman Group on 020 7907 3700



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