Useful Websites

The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) is the industry body and professional institute for leading agencies in the UK advertising, media and marketing communications industry. They act as a spokesman for the industry talking to key Government departments, Media Owners etc and also assist their members with the successful running of their companies through training and advisory services and through publications and event programmes.

ISBA is the voice of British advertisers - companies and not-for-profit organisations of all sizes. Its members include more than 400 leading UK advertisers, whose combined spend on marketing communications exceeds £10 billion each year.

ISBA’s role is two-fold: to work with government, regulators, media owners, agencies and other industry bodies to protect the freedom to advertise responsibly and to enhance the effectiveness of its members by providing high-quality services including consultancy advice, a free legal helpline, industry guidance and expert training.

Ofcom is the independent regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.

Ofcom's duties include:

• The promotion of choice, quality and value in electronic communications services, where appropriate by encouraging competition between the providers of those services.
• Ensuring the most efficient use of the radiocommunications spectrum - the airwaves used for the transmission of all non-military wireless communications services.
• Ensuring a wide range of electronic communications services, including broadband, is available across the UK.
• Ensuring a wide range of TV and radio programmes of high quality and wide appeal.
• Maintaining plurality in the media by ensuring a sufficiently broad range of ownership.
• The protection of audiences against offensive or harmful material, unfairness or the infringement of privacy on TV and radio.

Thinkbox is the television marketing body for the main UK commercial broadcasters - Channel 4, Five, GMTV, ITV, Sky Media, Turner Broadcasting and Viacom Brand Solutions. It works with the UK marketing community with a single ambition: to help customers get the best out of television.