Agency Trade Development Report
September 17 2002
Three UK agency organisations, the IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising), the MCCA (Marketing Communication Consultants Association) and the PRCA (Public Relations Consultants Association) have just jointly commissioned an independent report on the future development of agency trade bodies in the communications industry.
This announcement follows extensive preliminary talks between the three agency trade associations over the last few months on how to best meet the current and future needs of their members and the industry.
The report will:
- Map the industry and the current trade association structure and activities.
- Analyse the issues facing the industry and how the trade associations can best deal them.
Within the report, various options for the IPA, MCCA and PRCA will be analysed. These are likely to include:
- Retaining the status quo with closer co-operation on key issues and projects.
- Creating a federation containing a number of trade associations.
- Creating a new agency trade body incorporating two or more associations.
Mark Boleat of Boleat Consulting has been asked to produce the report by the end of November 2002. Boleat will report to a steering committee comprising of the President or Chairman of the three trade bodies in addition to their respective Directors. Boleat Consulting is an independent consultancy specialising in trade associations and the handling of public policy issues. Clients have included trade associations, companies and government departments.
Bruce Haines, Group CEO of Leo Burnett and IPA President commented, 'Following a useful dialogue in the context of the 'big tent' initiative, we felt that having an independent expert on trade bodies look at each of our businesses and representative organisations with an open mind was the professional way to proceed.'
Matthew Hooper, Chairman of Interfocus and MCCA Chairman added 'Our preliminary talks have been productive and have revealed a good degree of common ground. Mark Boleat has the right experience and expertise to identify how we can best look to work together for the benefit of our members and the industry.'
Graham Lancaster, Chairman of Biss Lancaster Euro RSCG and PRCA Chairman concluded 'Public relations consultancies face many of the same issues as advertising, media, direct marketing and customer relationship management agencies and it makes sense to look at the possible synergies between our trade bodies.'
All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.
