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Get expert advice on alcohol packaging and marketing now

Get free and confidential advice on alcohol packaging and marketing here. Any alcohol producer can request advice on naming, labelling, packaging and promotions at any stage from pre-launch to marketing that is already live.  Our Advisory Service will help you understand whether your marketing is likely to comply with the Portman Group’s Codes of Practice.

 

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What is the Advisory Service?

The Portman Group administers the rules for how alcohol products are marketed in the UK which cover naming, promotion, packaging and sponsorship. Our Advisory Service gives producers and agencies the chance to check their work against our Codes of Practice at any time including before anything goes public.

Who should use the Advisory Service?

You don’t need to be a large company or a Portman Group member company to get advice. If you’re involved in producing or marketing alcohol in the UK, this service is for you.

The Advisory Service is intended to help producers avoid problems.  If a product, promotion or sponsorship is subject to complaint then it could be investigated by the Independent Complaints Panel.  The Advisory Service aims to support producers to minimise the risk of breaching the Codes.

Free and fast

There’s no charge for the service and it’s available to businesses of any size.

We are a small team but we aim to respond to all advice requests within 48 hours (members can receive express advice in 24 hours). Our office hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, we only close during bank holidays and at Christmas time.

You can submit requests as often as you like throughout the year, there is no limit to the free advice that you can claim.

Strictly confidential

All advice requests are handled confidentially. What you share stays with the Advisory Service; the only exception is if a product is subject to complaint and you choose to share our advice with the Independent Complaints Panel as part of the investigation.

As all advice is confidential between the Advisory Service and the producer of the drink, we can only provide advice to the UK brand owner. If you are a retailer, distributor or a marketing agency we will require permission from the producer to share our advice with you.

Is the advice binding?

No, our advice is just that – advice, it is not binding on you or the Independent Complaints Panel if it is subject to complaint.

We provide advice under our Codes of Practice, but we cannot advise on legal elements of packaging or promotions. We will always try to help and signpost to other bodies where relevant.

How it works

  1. Submit your request

Use the form above (or email us directly) with details of your product, brand, or campaign. Please include front and back images of products where possible so that we can consider the overall impression conveyed by the packaging and marketing.

  1. We provide advice

Our team assesses your submission under the relevant Code rules, covering areas like packaging, naming and promotional activity. We will always provide a copy of our advice in writing even if you phone us in the first instance.

We’ll advise whether your marketing is likely to comply with the Codes and where there may be areas of elevated risk. If you do wish to come back with a revised version; there’s no limit to the number of times you can speak to us.

Complete the form above to submit a request or email us at advice@portmangroup.org.uk providing as much information as possible about your inquiry, or call 07935714513.

Other relevant bodies

The Portman Group covers responsible naming, packaging, promotion and sponsorship of alcohol products. Depending on your campaign, you may also need to engage with other regulators and organisations listed below.

Advertising Standards Authority The UK’s advertising regulator for most media. Speak to the Committee of Advertising Practice Copy advice for non-broadcast marketing.

Clearcast Pre-clearance for TV advertising in the UK

Radiocentre Clearance body for advertising on UK commercial radio

Local Trading Standards legal labelling requirements

Drinkaware For use of the Drinkaware logo

IARD Overview of international alcohol labelling requirements

Your Local Council licensing team handles alcohol licensing in your area

 

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