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New appointments to the Advisory Committee on Advertising

David Miliband, Minister for the Cabinet Office, today appointed five new members to the Advisory Committee on Advertising (ACA).

The ACA is a group of recognised industry experts providing independent validation that government advertising is conducted in an effective, transparent and efficient manner. These new members will help government ensure that its development of advertising, buying of advertising and media is done in a way that ensures the best value for the taxpayer.

Dick Emery, Chairman of the ACA said:

‘I am very pleased with these appointments. The range of knowledge and experience they bring to the ACA will enable us to continue to improve the efficiency of government advertising. As well as reviewing COI media buying performance, the new members will build on the work of the ACA in achieving better understanding of the views of individual departments.

‘I would like to thank the outgoing members for the commitment and energy that they brought to the committee.’

The new members of the ACA are:

Bernard Balderston, Associate Director, UK and Irish Media, Procter < Gamble
Bernard joined Procter < Gamble UK in 1968 and rose through the company to become an Associate Director in 1999. He is also a director of the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

Sophie Castell, Strategic Marketing Consultant
Sophie spent eight years in senior marketing roles with The Coca-Cola Company before becoming a consultant in 2003.

John Mayhead, Marketing Consultant.
John became a Marketing Consultant in 1999 after 13 years with GUS/Argos, latterly as a board director and chief executive of the customer loyalty/incentive scheme. John is also the non-executive chair of the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

Jayne O'Brien, Head of Marketing UK and Ireland, British Airways
Jayne became Head of all marketing for British Airways and British Airways Holidays, UK and Ireland in 2000 She has served in a variety of marketing roles at British Airways since 1989.

Jerry Wright, Brand Director, Birds Eye.
Jerry became brand director for Birds Eye in 2003 having worked across Unilever since 1982 with both UK and Central Asian brands

Notes for Editors

1. ACA is an independent group of media and marketing professionals, appointed by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, to advise on effective government advertising and cost-effective working methods including selecting and buying media.
2. The Central Office of Information, known as COI Communications, was established as a government department in 1946. In 1990 it became an executive agency and in 1991 a trading fund which is required to recover the majority of its costs. Since 1992 it has reported to Cabinet Office ministers.
   COI provides consultancy, procurement and project management in every area of paid-for publicity and strives to achieve best value for the Government. Further details can be found at: www.coi.gov.uk.
3. The recruitment was conducted in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) Code of Practice which is available at: www.ocpa.gov.uk. The vacancies were advertised on the Public Appointments website – www.publicappointments.gov.uk and publicised through the media and diversity press. Selection was based on merit. Dick Emery chaired the interview panel.
4. Vacancies have arisen from natural turnover, including members who will shortly complete their term of office and others who have taken up new posts, which they cannot combine with ACA responsibilities.

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