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OFT works with industry leader on revisions to prize draw promotions

165/07    27 November 2007

Following discussions with the Office of Fair Trading, a leading premium-rate prize draw promoter has agreed to revise its advertising to further clarify to consumers the nature of the awards they can claim.

Purely Creative Limited, a leading distributor of prize draws, scratchcards and envelopes and associated companies have agreed to revise their promotions in consultation with the OFT. The revisions agreed relate to how the lesser value awards, allocated to the majority of recipients, are presented. These awards will now be either listed separately to the major prizes or the nature and status of these awards will be further clarified in other ways so that consumers are clearer about what they are likely to receive if they enter the promotion. In addition, any significant terms or conditions or any costs payable in order to claim an award will be shown more prominently.

Purely Creative Limited believe that their previous promotions complied with the relevant laws or guidelines, but have agreed to make the revisions in the interests of enhancing the clarity of their promotions.

Mike Haley, Head of Consumer Protection at the OFT said:

'We welcome Purely Creative's revisions to its advertising which make clearer to consumers the nature of the award they can claim and their likelihood of winning one of the major prizes.'

NOTES

1. The OFT works in partnership with PhonepayPlus, the premium rate services regulator, the Advertising Standards Authority, and local authority Trading Standards Services to raise standards in the premium rate industry. See press releases 143/07, 160/06, 125/06, 105/06, 41/06, 122/05, 90/05, 55/05 and 2/05 for details of OFT actions in this area.

2. Purely Creative is a leading operator of prize promotions. Based in Lancaster in the North West of England, the company has been developing and distributing promotional game cards via UK national and regional print media since 1987.

For Purely Creative media relations contact Catherine Cummings on 01524 444000, email: catherine@purelycreative.co.uk.

3. The revisions referred to will be made to all new promotions commissioned by Purely Creative Limited and associated companies after 31 October 2007.  All promotions distributed after 31 December 2007 will include the revisions.

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