These talks have been initiated by individuals representing various organisations, all of whom have seen areas of common interest, duplication in services provided to members and the potential for greater influence or economies through increased scale.
More recently, the IPA Council has been reviewing its overall strategic direction, prompted by the increasing breadth of communication services being offered by existing and prospective IPA member agencies. These discussions have come about as other trade bodies are reviewing their strategies because they appreciate that their members are also offering similar or complementary services.
So, in this climate of review and existing collaboration, one suggestion has been that it might be in the interests of all the agency trade bodies to create a new body representing the interests of all the existing agency operators. It's this suggestion that is being explored and has been giving the working title of "big tent".
In the discussions so far with the industry's trade bodies, everyone involved has been careful not to think in terms of takeover or merger, but of potentially creating a new entity with others of a like mind to preserve the best and most effective aspects of all our various specialisms, while benefiting from economies of scale and the greater influence with government and the like, which increased size would bring.
Of course, such moves are not embarked upon lightly or without proper consideration and none of the trade bodies involved have sought to prescribe the final format of any entity which might emerge.
So far in the discussions, the MCCA and PRCA have expressed an interest in exploring this option and we are delighted that they have done so.
The DMA -- as a tripartite body -- has decided not to participate in what would essentially be an agency practitioner body, assuming the other parties involved want to proceed.
Whatever happens -- and there is still much to discuss and agree upon -- the DMA, the IPA, MCCA and PRCA will continue to work together cordially and to collaborate on issues of common interest.
Recent activity, such as the July launch of the joint industry guide on agency review, retention and selection, highlights the benefits of such cooperation and we hope this will continue to grow regardless of whether the 'big tent' concept goes forward or not.