Code of Practice
Conduct
Members will, at all times, conduct their affairs in a professional and ethical way and in accordance with the current Codes of Practice of the APA and PPA. Members have a positive duty to observe the highest standards in the practice of customer magazine publishing. Members will ensure that their employees act in accordance with the spirit and letter of this code at all times. Member firms shall not engage in any practice or be seen to conduct themselves in any manner detrimental to the reputation of APA or the reputation and interest of the customer magazine publishing industry.
Members must not, expressly or by implication, disparage other APA members or suggest a lack of professionalism in their work. Particular care must be taken by member companies when pitching for an account or otherwise introducing themselves to a prospective client.
Quality
Members will endeavour to ensure that all their work is produced to the highest possible standard, in accordance with their clients' marketing and financial objectives.
Contracts
Members are recommended to ensure that there is a legally binding contract for each job; each contract to include a clear definition of the project and the fees payable, together with a production schedule, payment terms procedures in the event of cancellation and in the event of a dispute and clauses covering confidentiality and liability.
Agency Commission
Members are recommended to pay commission at their standard rate to advertising agencies introducing work. Members will be free to pay similar commissions to other companies or individuals introducing work.
Complaints, disputes and disciplinary procedure
Members will elect a disciplinary committee, comprising the APA Chairman, PPA Chief Executive and one other member of APA to convene when necessary to rule on the following:
- Complaints from clients of APA members
- Disputes between APA members and clients
- Disputes between APA members
If the APA Chairman's company is in any way involved in the dispute, his/her place will be taken by another APA member. Members will make their clients aware of the APA complaints and arbitration service. Where possible, contracts will bind both parties to accept the rulings of APA in event of a dispute. In any event, APA members agree to abide by the decisions of the APA complaints procedure.
Where the committee unanimously finds that an APA member has violated this Code of Practice, the Chairman will issue a formal warning to the violating member. If the violation is gross or repeated, or if the same member violates two or more different aspects of the code of practice, the Chairman may terminate the membership of the offending company.
In the event of an APA or non-APA member being unable to complete a contract, APA will, at the client's request, use its best endeavours to organise the completion of the current issue by a member.
Research Charter
All members agree to follow best practice guidelines to ensure high standard of measurement and evaluation.
- Objectives: To agree clear and measurable objectives with a client for every publication.
- Measurement: To incorporate processes for measuring the success of the publication against those agreed objectives within the strategy and budget for all publications.
- Research: To use recognised and appropriate research methods to evaluate the publication.
