The CIA Group, a founder and staunch defender of the media
specialists’ trade body, the Association of Media and Communications
Specialists (Amco), is to apply for membership of Amco’s rival body, the
Institute of Practitioners in Advertising.
The initiative could see the two trade bodies working more closely
together.
Chris Ingram, the chairman of CIA, was one of the main driving forces
behind the setting up of Amco and its predecessor, the Association of
Media Independents.
Previously, the agency has stood firm against the trend of other media
shops to join the IPA. Now Ingram and his UK management team, headed by
Mike Elms, have decided the time is right to approach the IPA, but they
also remain committed to Amco.
CIA’s application will go before the IPA Council on 4 December and looks
set to be given a green light. Nick Phillips, the director-general of
the IPA, said he welcomed CIA’s application.
’CIA is a major brand in the market. The IPA has some 20 media agencies
in membership at the moment and CIA would add considerable extra
strength to this.’
Amco represents a broader range of communication companies than the
IPA.
Don Sperring, the chairman of Amco, said he was happy for Amco members
to join their own vertical trade bodies such as the IPA and he looked
forward to working more closely with the IPA on media issues.
Amco is now expected to concentrate more on the future of the media
industry and leave lobbying on media issues to the IPA.
