Fresh fears over MPS

Posted: July 2nd, 2007 by Marketscan 0

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The relationship between the direct marketing industry and the government could worsen following Gordon Brown’s cabinet reshuffle.

Former environment minister David Miliband caused grief within the sector in May when he announced plans to make junk mail opt-in only.

The news led to months of negations between the Direct Marketing Association and the minister, as well as his junior ministers such as Ben Bradshaw.

Since his promotion to the position of foreign secretary, however, direct marketers fear their hard work will have been a waste of time and new campaigns will need to be launched to convince the incoming environment minister not to terminate the mailing preference service.

Labour MP for Leeds Central Hilary Benn will now head up the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and may well bring in his own team.

His opinions on the matter are not yet clear, but when once asked on Radio 4′s Any Questions? "Why are so many young people depressed?" Mr Benn replied: "Because there are awful things out there like advertising."