23 Apr 2013
| by Maisie McCabe
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has upheld the UK's ban of political advertising in broadcast media, after an eight-year appeal from the campaign group Animal Defenders International (ADI).
Harper Reed, the mastermind behind the social campaign to re-elect Barack Obama in 2012, has claimed marketers will be the key drivers of technology across the business world.
Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has promised to be a "cheerleader" for the advertising industry, following the revelation that marketing generates £100bn of the UK's GDP.
Coca-Cola has rebutted criticism from Prime Minister David Cameron, who told Parliament he was trying to steer his children away from drinking Coke.
The government's 'stocktake' of industry efforts to combat childhood sexualisation and commercialisation as part of the Bailey Review is set to applaud several of the steps taken by marketers.
The government has unveiled its 'Midata' plan, which aims to revolutionise how consumers access personal information on them held by brands, amid concerns that the initiative is too narrow in its scope.
The government is gearing up for the next phase of its 'Responsibility Deal' programme, partnering brands to encourage consumers to eat fruit and vegetables and discourage retailers from displaying confectionery at checkouts.
Big Bird won't get a vote when US citizens go to the polls on 6 November, but his presence has loomed unexpectedly large over a Presidential campaign brought to life through millions of tweets, YouTube videos, blog posts and status updates.
Edward Timpson, the new children's minister, has congratulated brands for tackling the commercialisation and sexualisation of children but threatened action against "unsatisfactory progress", in his first major address to the marketing industry.
This week the Tory faithful gathered in Birmingham for their party's annual conference. With mounting criticism of their record in government, the UK economy flatlining, a slump in the polls and the "plebgate" scandal rumbling on in the background, these are not the happiest times for the party.