Three UK has revealed it could save its customers £187 million* worth of mobile roaming charges if the law changes after Brexit. The announcement is part of the mobile network’s commitment to continue offering roaming benefits following new draft legislation announced this year. The claim “Deal or no deal, our customers will save £187 million in roaming charges. Vote Three” was seen displayed across a bus roaming the streets of London, ahead of the UK due to leave the European Union on 29th March.

In uncertain times, Three pledges to give certainty to its customers. This commitment comes due to the effect Brexit will have on British travellers to Europe, while roaming charges currently governed by EU rules and regulations, continues to be unclear. Prior to the EU Roaming Legislation announced in June 2017, mobile operators could apply excessive roaming charges for those using their phones whilst travelling within the EU. Three was the first network to allow its customers to roam at no extra change, back in 2013. Three’s Go Roam offering now allows its customers to use their phone in over 70 worldwide destinations at no extra cost. 

Dave Dyson, CEO at Three, said: “Three is the global leader in international roaming and now offers roaming at no extra cost for its customers in over 70 destinations including Brazil, Singapore, the US and Australia. We’re committed to eradicating excessive roaming charges and will retain this great customer benefit regardless of Brexit negotiations allowing our customers to continue using their usual allowances when they travel within the EU.”

Alice Beer at Consumer Champion, said: “The ambiguity of Brexit is currently part of everyday life and conversation, and at the moment we simply don’t know the exact impact it will have on the UK. Millions could be charged more to use their mobile phone so Three’s commitment to keep roaming free is a reassuring stance for consumers.”

The post Free to roam: Three pledges to save people £187 million in mobile roaming charges after Brexit appeared first on IPM Bitesize.

Poundland has today launched two new Brexit inspired passport covers just weeks before the 29^th March deadline, available in the classic EU burgundy red or a ‘Brexit Blue’.

The traditional red cover comes with a tag line of ‘Still Proud to Be European.’ On the other side of the fence, the blue passport cover is clearly labelled as Great Britain and Northern Ireland only.

With the politicians in a pickle, Poundland isn’t waiting to give its customers the chance to make a statement with their passport, whatever their position on Brexit.

Poundland expects sales statistics of the two passport covers to be the new referendum that gives an up-to-date snapshot into how the country feels about leaving the European Union.

The new passport covers are in Poundland’s travel range which includes flip flops, sunscreen and other travel essentials and will be available in store from 26^th February nationwide for £1.

Poundland’s Marketing Controller Mark Pym said: “Whether you’re a Europhile or a Europhobe, Poundland’s got you covered.”

The post Poundland lets shoppers choose ‘Leave’ or ‘Remain’ Brexit passports appeared first on IPM Bitesize.

Karen Bradley, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has told the UK’s advertising and marketing communications professionals that the current Government considers its work to be one of the UK’s “major success stories” and also “vital for the success of the UK.” Speaking at the Advertising Association’s LEAD 2017 conference on January 26th 2017, she reassured her audience that advertising and marketing has the full support of the Government and encouraged the industry to make its voice heard in the process of planning Britain’s exit from the European Union.

Bradley went on: “I want to be clear that the government has never seen you as peripheral. Our aim is to forge new relationships while remaining open to international talent. But I’m conscious that UK advertising feels that certain aspects of EU wide co-operation have been helpful but also that certain legislation is harmful. I want to hear from you on the opportunities and limitations of success as we approach our negotiations. And as we engage in negotiations with the EU, the advertising industry can help us make the case by providing us with data and knowledge.”

Carey Trevill, Managing Director of the Institute of Promotional Marketing, was in the audience. She says: “We heard a speech designed to calm and support the marketers in the room. Bradley spelt out clearly the benefits of British advertising and the fact that the special position we hold as ‘best in the world’ positions the U.K. advertising and marketing industry as critical to a successful Brexit.”

According to the latest figures from the influential AA/WARC Advertising Expenditure survey, marketing spend grew 4.2% in the third quarter of 2016, following the UK’s vote to leave the EU. Recent research by advertising think tank Credos and consultants Deloitte shows that advertising contributed £120.4 billion to GDP in 2015, and supports over 550,000 jobs.

The Advertising Association used LEAD 2017 – which targets senior leadership in advertising and marketing agencies, media owners, brand owners and related sectors – as a platform to outline the priorities for the UK’s advertising and marketing industry for Brexit:

• Safeguard the UK’s competitive position as an important global and European hub for advertising and media businesses.
• Establish a workable and effective EU and global immigration policy to help UK advertising to continue to attract global talent, and address the skills shortage through education policy.
• Negotiate the UK’s position on various media and advertising-related EU rules and ensure as much market access as possible, through equivalence in UK law.
• Adopt a non-interventionist domestic regulatory approach to the advertising industry to provide market certainty and advertiser confidence and support its advertising self-regulation system through the ASA.
• In the longer term, consider what EU rules constitute red tape to be lifted after the UK has left the EU.

Stephen Woodford, Chief Executive Officer of the Advertising Association, comments: “Ad spend serves not just as an established bellwether for the wider economy, but is a driver of jobs and GDP growth, so negotiating the best possible terms for UK advertising should be a priority as Government engineers our exit from the EU.”

The IPM’s Trevill agrees. “With so much change hitting the world – let alone the industry – week after week, being central to the conversation with government is crucial.”

LEAD 2017 also focused attention on the London-centric nature of the UK advertising and marketing industry, with many speakers suggesting that marketers need to look beyond London to understand the wider business and, more importantly, the consumer view. Trevill comments: “The message was clear – the communications industry needs to burst the London-centric bubble we’ve been operating in for too long and engage with people across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. I’d argue that the IPM is already doing that, with so many of our key members based in other regions of the country.”

As part of its commitment to engaging with its members outside London, the IPM will be attending the Prolific North Live Expo on February 15^th and 16^th at EventCity Manchester. The Expo is free to attend and the IPM is inviting members and non-members alike to drop by its stand (105). If you want to make an appointment, then please do so by email to Carey.trevill@theipm.org.uk.

The post LEAD 2017: Marketing vital for UK, but must look beyond London appeared first on IPM Bitesize.

As we all let the views and opinions on the EU Referendum decision sink in, we have spoken to the IPM for their comments. As a key part of the self-regulatory process, the IPM is well placed to understand the industry impact of Brexit.

Graham Temple, Chairman of the IPM gives his reaction to the Brexit result that the UK has voted to leave the EU “With the decision to exit the EU this morning,  the promotional marketing community will be assessing how this will impact us, our members, our businesses and our brands. It is clear that once we have absorbed and rationalised  the initial news, we will start the process of looking at what happens next. With a potentially long process ahead, the IPM is engaged with our close working partners in the UK and Europe”

Temple goes on to praise the UK marketing industry “The UK boasts some of the most creative, problem solving minds on the planet and when it comes to promotional marketing, we have demonstrated for decades tenacity and versatility to overcome barriers that present themselves. Disruption provides the best growth opportunities and adaptability is key to the UK creative industry to staying on top – it’s in our DNA.”

On what will happen next, it is certain is that our industry bodies will be coming together with CAP and the ASA to look at our self-regulatory codes which have always been a demonstration of industry self-imposed control. The process will take time – two years at least. The steps to exit must be triggered by Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union and with the news that Cameron will step down, this will now be passed to the next incoming Prime Minister to take this step.

With well reported European wide initiatives underway, such as the GDPR, the DMA have advised today that we must continue to respect the rights of EU citizens when trading in these markets. Promomarketing will report on developing implications of the exit once known. With comments from ISBA, IPA and other bodies all stating similar advice; its keep calm and carry on!

In a final word from the IPM, they advise contemplation “Now is the time for sound, rational thought about our future and the IPM will be working with our trade body partners to ensure a measured and cohesive approach is taken across the industry. What is clear is that the immediate action on how we regulate ourselves will be less dramatic as key changes will take time to work themselves through.”

The IPM issued guidance on how the CAP Code may be affected by an exit and we expect to see an update on this guidance shortly. Please contact the IPM’s advisory team should you require any further information about the immediate impact of Brexit on your campaigns on 020 7291 7730.

The post Brexit: View from the IPM appeared first on IPM Bitesize.