ASA seeks agency to replace Court Burkitt

The Advertising Standards Authority is talking to advertising agencies after parting company with Court Burkitt & Company.

As a non-paying client, the ASA invites agencies who have expressed an interest to put forward their ideas. Media space worth the equivalent of about 2m ratecard is donated each year and co-ordinated by the CIA Medianetwork Centre.

Caroline Crawford, director of communications at the ASA, who is leading the hunt for a replacement agency, says: “We have put some feelers out to a number of agencies and have used the Advertising Agency Register.

“We first began working with Court Burkitt & Company more than three years ago, and as a non-paying client felt it would be appropriate to give it a break.”

Hugh Burkitt, chairman of Court Burkitt, was made a member of the ASA Council about a year ago, another factor in the decision to change agencies.

Court Burkitt devised the ASA’s much-praised “Keeping Tabs on Ads” campaign, which featured the authority’s own personnel. Crawford says although the campaign may be updated to coincide with the ASA’s 35th anniversary, the well-known slogan is likely to be retained.

She says: “The brief has not changed. Our aim is to keep our name and address in the public eye, not encourage people to complain.”

A decision is expected in the next four weeks.