SmallBusinessNewz

The UK's Advertising Association and Advertising Standard Authority is poised to sweep away any remaining questions about whether or not social media is a serious business.  The AA has recommended that the ASA be granted more influence over online marketing communications, including those made on social networks.

This could prove to be positive or negative news for the average small business.  More regulation sounds bad, of course, but Rae Burdon, the AA's COO, assured Jack Marshall, "[Online marketing] is essential for many small businesses, and we have to be sensitive to that when regulating."

Also, if the regulation just cracks down on disreputable and spammy firms, trustworthy small businesses might actually be better off for it.

Anyway, it looks like business owners should prepare for the change, regardless.  Andrew Brown, Chairman of the Committee of Advertising Practice, stated, "This demonstrates the UK industry takes its collective responsibility to society seriously . . . .  CAP will now consider all the implications and practicalities of the recommendations in consultation with the appropriate stakeholders, with the ultimate aim of bringing the new remit into effect as soon as possible."

Details of the agreement should become available in the next month or so.