Germany/EU: Sponsorship and advertising to be further restricted

The sponsorship association FASPO and the Central Association of the German Advertising Industry ZAW warn against further advertising bans. Particularly in the sports sector, political efforts can be observed throughout Europe to increasingly restrict or even prohibit advertising and sponsorship. The current debate was prompted by the question of the permissibility of sponsorship measures by private sports betting operators. This renewed discussion has alarmed the industry associations.  
The Managing Director of ZAW, Manfred Parteina, explains that the association has received information that the EU intends to enforce a complete ban on sports sponsorship by alcohol producers from 2010. Such a ban is already a fact in the case of tobacco: cross-border sponsorship activities by tobacco companies are prohibited in the EU - which completely prevented commercial communication in Formula 1 in particular.
Industry representatives consider this development to be extremely worrying. The FASPO President therefore appeals to all market partners to keep a closer eye on political developments and to take a united and decisive stance against the planned restrictions.