Alcopops code still voluntary

In your news story on The Portman Group’s tough, new code of practice “New code to crack down on alco-pops” (MW July 17), you state that alcopops will have to be pre-vetted before they go on sale.

While we strongly urge producers to seek pre-launch advice from us if they are in any doubt as to a product’s conformity to the code, it remains a voluntary system.

Nevertheless, with the added teeth that we now have to enforce the code, we think it would be foolish for producers not to do all they can to avoid the possible expense and embarrassment of having to withdraw a new product if the Independent Complaints Panel were to find it in breach of the code.

Jean Coussins

Director

The Portman Group

London W1

Recommended

Launching a brand:Advalue:SELF-ASSESSMENT

Marketing Week

The Inland Revenue charged Leagas Shafron Davis with introducing its self-assessment programme to the UK’s 8.5 million self-employed. How did it manage to overcome ‘the brief from hell’? Jeremy Hook of American Express reviews the strategy (ri

Making waves with response radio

Marketing Week

A newly-published research project looks at the validity and effectiveness of direct response radio ads as part of the marketing mix. By Andrew Ingram. Andrew Ingram is director of account planning at the Radio Advertising Bureau.

Boots plans 5m Natural Collection relaunch

Marketing Week

Boots is carrying out a 5m relaunch of its Natural Collection bodycare range to give the brand the same status as its No7 make-up and Soltan suncare ranges. The Natural Collection was launched in 1988 as an alternative to The Body Shop’s products. It will now be more aggressively targeted at the teenage market in […]