The new Prime Minister Liz Truss has selected ex-marketer Michelle Donelan to be the secretary of state for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Several industry regulators and bodies have been reacting to the news of Donelan’s appointment. Prior to her move to politics Donelan led marketing divisions at companies like World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Marie Claire.
Paul Bainsfair, director of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, has congratulated both Liz Truss and Michelle Donelan on their appointments. The director believes Truss “has the opportunity to be the first Prime Minister in recent times to be the PM for growth and indeed for the ad industry”.
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Commenting on Donelan’s appointment, Bainsfair said: “This is our eleventh Culture Secretary in ten years and our industry needs the stability that a long-term holder of the office can provide.”
“Michelle Donelan will take up their new role with several pressing issues to contend with, including: the planned privatisation of Channel 4, impending HFSS advertising legislation, the Online Harms Bill, the Online Advertising Programme and the Gambling Review White Paper, to name some examples.
“It is vital that she is willing to work with our industry to find solutions that will benefit the economy and wider society.
“As the cost of living crisis continues, the new Secretary of State should take note of the great value that we can provide as an employer, a job creator, an exporter and as a partner for the Government. Now is the time to work together, and we will be reaching out in the coming weeks to request a meeting with her.”
The Data and Marketing Association (DMA) has also welcomed Donelan’s selection, calling on her to help guide pieces of legislative reform that would help the ad industry, specifically the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill.
DMA CEO Chris Combemale added: “This is a timely opportunity to support business growth by reducing red tape and offering greater clarity on data laws. In particular, we hope to establish further clarity over the use of legitimate interest as a means of processing personal data for marketing purposes.”
