UK political leaders join forces to embrace the Christmas spirit and heal the world of hate, through a powerful rendition of ‘Do they know it’s Christmas’.

However, all is not as it seems, as the incredible series of scenes are from a good-humoured yet thought-provoking video by creative collective, Campaign for Common Decency.

Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon, Jo Swinson, Arlene Foster, Nigel Farage and Caroline Lucas, are seen swapping studio debates for the recording studio. The unlikely group recorded a unique version of the beloved charity hit, to remind people to be a little kinder to one another during such a challenging time in politics.

The footage has been created 35 years after the iconic ‘Do they know it’s Christmas’ charity single by Band Aid, showing how Deepfakes can be used positively and peacefully – while raising awareness of the importance of coming together through love, not hate.

Taking two weeks to create, the creative collective Campaign for Common Decency partnered with some masters of Deepfake and VFX technology, to show UK political leaders as they’ve never been seen before as part of their #GeneralAffection campaign, to stop the often abusive rhetoric seen on TV and social media which can at times spill out onto British streets.

Deepfake videos combine and superimpose existing images and videos to create digital doppelgängers using a cutting-edge machine learning technique known as generative adversarial network.

A spokesperson from Campaign for Common Decency said: “Everyone’s feeling the weight of the upcoming election. At a time of year when we should all be celebrating coming together, we’ve never felt more divided. 

We wanted to create an entertaining piece of film that reminded everyone that it’s ok to be civil with those who think differently. We just hope our squabbling leaders take note.”

The video starts with a bored sound engineer flipping through a newspaper, page by page he’s greeted by doom and gloom election and Brexit headlines. Shattering the glum scene, Boris Johnson breaks through the doors of the recording studio and waves to the sound engineer, much to his dismay.

Rather than being at loggerheads, the film reveals a playful exchange between the political party leaders as they come together to create a soulful rendition of the song, complete with Nicola Sturgeon on drums and Nigel Farage on the ukulele.

Ahead of the General Election this Thursday, Campaign for Common Decency has released the video and asked politicians to stop using divisive language and to help heal a divided United Kingdom through collaboration, civility and humility helping people of the UK reach a better future, together.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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As we approach Brexit – or Bremain – dependent on your view point, many questions are being raised about what happens to the Codes and regulations. As the body for promotional marketing engaged with protecting and promoting our industry , the IPM’s Managing Director Carey Trevill, explains what you need to know now.

The IPM has been in many conversations regarding the implications of an EU exit with its Members and whilst none of us can predict the future, it’s important to understand what and if there are implications for promotional marketing campaigns. As Members of CAP, the IPM is in a position to advise its Members of the Code implications should an exit happen.

Carey comments ‘In the rounds of discussions about ‘Brexit’ or ‘Bremain’, it’s important to understand what, if anything, might change for marketers. Following discussion at CAP, we feel its appropriate to set out some key ‘need to knows’ on regulations and would urge anyone with questions to come and talk to us’.

When does the Referendum take place?

On 23rd June this year the UK electorate will vote on whether to remain in or leave the European Union (‘Brexit’). The official campaign period started on 15th April and polls currently show very close figures for both outcomes.

What you need to know now

A vote to leave the EU will create a period of significant political uncertainty – however it’s not considered that this will cause immediate substantive shocks to the advertising self- and co-regulatory systems.

• In many places the Codes approximate or have regard to EU legislation but in the majority of cases these are EU Directives that have been transposed into UK law (e.g. CPRs). These would remain in place until / unless they were repealed. Regulations (for example the NHCR) are not implemented in UK law and would likely pose questions of justifiability, but would continue to have effect until the UK actually left the EU.
• Questions, concerns and lobbying activity are likely to build slowly over time. The main effect on CAP, BCAP and the ASA would likely be the resource and cost implications (particularly in regulatory policy and public affairs functions) of engaging with government departments, taking legal advice and answering internal and external queries related to ‘Brexit’.
• Marketers need not do anything differently at this stage and should look to maintain compliance with the Codes on an ongoing basis, irrespective of the outcome on 23 June.

As there is much uncertainty around what the exit process would look like overall and particularly whether negotiations about the UK’s relationship with EU post-exit can be dealt with concurrently or not.

What seems certain is that legislative time and the public debate during the exit period will be dominated by the exit process and renegotiation of bigger economic issues such as trade deals. For better or worse issues which affect advertising regulation are unlikely to be a priority.

What happens if you are working across Europe?

There are two types of European law: Directives and Regulations.

• Directives are required to be transposed by member states, so there is always a corresponding piece of UK legislation. In these instances the UK legislation would endure beyond a UK exit until or unless it was repealed by parliament.  However it may face challenges on the grounds of justifiability and whether any harmonisation required by the EU in its application should reasonably continue.
• Regulations apply across the EU by default and do not require domestic implementing measures. Although these would technically remain in effect in the UK until it left the EU, without any UK implementing legislation and with a diminished risk of censure at a European level marketers might begin to question the need to comply with them.
• The UK government has said that EU-originating legislation will “continue to be law until parliament decides otherwise”, however issues of the justifiability and enforcement of those laws are likely to arise before parliament is able to grapple with them.
• Both the CAP and BCAP Codes (and therefore the ASA in their enforcement) in places either approximate or have regard to various pieces of European law or the UK implementing legislation. Where CAP and BCAP’s rules have their roots in those laws they are likely to encounter similar issues.

If you’d like more information, please contact the IPM on 020 7291 7730 and speak to their Legal Team.

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