Has MW broken the school rules?
The advertising business should not, as I am sure you would agree, seek to “infiltrate the classroom” in the promotions of brands. Why then does Marketing Week advertise its conference on “Marketing through Schools” with the use of such lurid and damaging language?
I have on several occasions been “grilled” by your very able journalists on the subject of the advertising industry’s intentions and motives for marketing to children. These remain based on the importance of agreeing standards and specifics with parents, governors and teachers.
As such, “infiltration” could never be acceptable. How extraordinary that your own marketers are keen to undermine what I assumed were the true standards of legitimate marketing to children.
I and many others in the industry would be very grateful if you could find other ways, and different copy, to promote your conferences.
Lionel Stanbrook
Deputy director-general
The Advertising Association
London SW1
