Government affairs
Knowledge Networks pre-approved as US Government survey supplier
US— Government procurement body the General Services Administration has handed Knowledge Networks a 20-year survey services contract, effectively pre-approving the online researcher as a supplier to federal agencies.
Statistics Authority's power 'should be extended'
UK— Representatives of the three main political parties said yesterday that the powers of the UK Statistics Authority should be extended.
UK government opens up online data hub, Data.gov.uk
UK— The UK government has thrown open an online data hub to members of the public, promising easy access to government-held information that can be downloaded and re-used as people and businesses see fit.
TNS-BMRB opens public sector comms research centre
UK— TNS-BMRB has launched a communications research centre to help public sector clients improve the delivery of their communications and campaigns.
Arbitron boss defends PPM technology at House hearing
US— Arbitron chief executive Michael Skarzynski defended his firm’s portable people meter (PPM) technology at the US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government reform yesterday.
Arbitron to defend PPM at House committee hearing
US— Arbitron is to appear before a hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to defend its portable people meter-based (PPM) ratings against claims they are damaging to radio stations targeting ethnic minorities.
EU cookie rule passes, but ad impact still unclear
BELGIUM— The European Union has agreed a package of telecoms reforms which includes new opt-in requirements for the use of online cookies.
IMS looks to capitalise on physician payment disclosure laws
US— The proliferation of laws in the US requiring disclosure of money spent by drugs companies on marketing to doctors is causing headaches for many in the research industry
TNS-BMRB launces Social & Political Attitudes Unit
UK— TNS-BMRB will launch a new division this month to monitor voting intentions and keep track of social and political trends.
FTC ponders pros and cons of online ad targeting
US— Consumer groups, publishers, marketers and technology companies discussed the privacy implications of behavioural ad targeting today at a roundtable hosted by the Federal Trade Commission.
IAB Europe says nothing to fear from EU cookie rules
BELGIUM— Advertisers have nothing to fear from new European Union rules requiring consumers to opt-in to accept cookies, says the IAB Europe – pointing to a preamble to the directive that says browser settings can be taken as a form of consent.
CMOR rallies for reform of Universal Service Fund
US— MR industry lobbyist CMOR has added its voice to calls to reform the Universal Service Fund, claiming the ever-changing fees levied on telephone users amount to a tax on phone surveys.