ERA Europe Moves Ahead

Having the 2006 ERA European Conference in Budapest is a tribute to the new profile of our industry in Europe and reflects the new frontier of the EU community of countries, markets and entrepreneurs.

In the last 12 months, major markets have consolidated their structure and leadership. For example, the United Kingdom has a united and active national chapter, ERA UK, which serves the 48 shopping channels listed today on the Sky EPG.

ERA Europe has observed a growing interest and involvement of emerging DRTV and television shopping markets in Europe. The candidates to the new ERA Europe 2006 board election reflect this new industry landscape, with representatives from Spain, Greece and Italy aspiring to join their colleagues from the U.K., Germany, France and our Central Europe pioneer and conference host in Hungary, Studio Moderna.

Other mature markets such as Germany have not only shown a solid growth of its historic leaders, but also the emergence of young, aggressive entrepreneurs entering the elite group of 24-hour shopping channels in 2005-2006. Similar market developments are in progress in Russia and other Central European countries.

ERA Europe has also reached a new level of member involvement in firmly directed initiatives, led by active committees.

The Government Affairs Committee has worked as a true industry body to improve the understanding among European Institutions about the nature, profile and needs of our industry. ERA Europe is now deeply engaged, in cooperation with other trade groups, in all discussions related to the new Television Without Frontiers Directive, which will frame the way European countries will regulate the access to media for advertisers and television retailers, and should be voted on by the end of 2006. Our Commissioner Viviane Reding will give credit to our industry for this high-level contribution to the institutions' work during the Gala Dinner on June 25.

Self-regulation is a key component of the mutual compromise EU Institutions and law makers are expecting as part of this new directive: less and better regulation.

The message has been received and understood by our industry leadership in Europe. The board, with the drive and momentum provided by the Self-Regulation Committee, is pursuing a self-regulation crusade--a true change of culture in this industry. In fact, this initiative is now embraced by a vast majority of members.

Our program provides standards and guidance without interfering with companies' business privileges. In addition, these standards are now part and a by-law component of the ERA Europe membership. It will soon be a proud signature for ERA Europe-compliant members.

Last but not least, in addition to debuting its web site www.eraeurope.com, ERA Europe--under the active leadership of an ad-hoc Education Board Committee--is launching in Budapest a European Trends Monitoring Newsletter. This is an initiative to follow the rapidly changing electronic media landscape in Europe and the impact on the electronic retailing at large.

As you can see, there are many issues and areas where you can express your views, provide input and volunteer. More than ever, it is good to be a member of ERA in Europe.

Marcel Avargues
Executive Director
ERA Europe