August 2023
The Advertising Standards Authority, the independent self-regulatory body committed to promoting the highest standards of marketing communications in Ireland, has appointed Declan McLoughlin and Anne Parle-McDermott to its independent Complaints Committee and Amanda Zahringer as the new Chair of the Review Panel.
Declan McLoughlin is the Director of Online and Media Codes & Rules, Coimisiún na Meán. He has over 20 years’ experience of media regulation and is currently committed to developing Ireland’s first Online Safety Code along with updating media codes and rules for television, radio and on-demand media services.
As a senior manager with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), Declan oversaw the BAI’s work on environmental sustainability, and he is currently the Vice-Chair of the Broadcasting Sustainability Network. He is also a former member of the Contract Awards Committee, the statutory body that was responsible for the awarding of radio and television contracts. He is a graduate of All Hallows College, Dublin, The Irish Management Institute / University College Cork and has an Advanced Diploma in Social Media and Media Law from The Honourable Society of King’s Inns.
Anne Parle-McDermott is Professor and Principal Investigator of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory at Dublin City University. She has 30 years of experience working within the science and education university sector in Ireland. She is currently a Professor of Genetics in the School of Biotechnology at DCU and has been an academic member of staff there for 17 years having previously lectured in Trinity College Dublin.
Anne completed her Ph.D. at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland which was awarded to her by Trinity College Dublin in 2000. Her research has also featured in numerous scientific publications globally. Anne is committed to supporting the development of researchers in Ireland and is an active mentor to individuals at all career stages. She is also a passionate advocate of women in science and leadership.
The Advertising Standards Authority has also appointed a new Chair of its Review Panel.
Amanda Zahringer has worked as an international corporate lawyer and ‘Big Six’ law firm partner in London, Madrid and Dublin. She has over 20 years’ experience advising multinational companies on corporate and commercial matters, while cultivating trusted relationships as their strategic advisor.
Amanda currently contributes her expertise across multiple boards, serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Community Finance Ireland (UCIT Ireland) and Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Ulster Community Investment Trust Limited. Amanda is also a member of the Irish Times Training Academic Advisory Group, where she assists in the review of the organisation’s academic policy and procedures and provides strategic guidance for growth and innovation.
Amanda’s legal, strategy, fintech, financial and philanthropic expertise has enabled her to have a profound social and economic impact on communities and organisations both nationally and globally. She is also an international keynote speaker and a guest speaker in executive leadership at the Irish Management Institute.
Welcoming these appointments, Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of the ASA, said:
“We are delighted to welcome, Declan, Anne and Amanda to their new roles. Each appointee brings individual areas of expertise to the organisation and a wealth of knowledge from their careers to date. These insights will be welcome additions to the ASA Complaints Committee and Review Panel. Their combined experience will provide expert guidance in the ever-evolving advertising industry. On behalf of myself and the ASA we would like to wish Declan, Anne and Amanda the very best of luck in their new roles.”
The Advertising Standards Authority is committed, in the public interest, to promoting the highest standards of marketing communications that is advertising, promotional marketing and direct marketing. The objective is to ensure that all commercial marketing communications are ‘legal, decent, honest and truthful’.
Media are required to abide by the ASA Code and not to publish an advertisement or conduct a promotion which contravenes Code rules. The ASA Code covers commercial marketing communications and sales promotions in all media in Ireland including digital (online banners, websites and social platforms), print, outdoor, radio, TV, leaflets/brochures, and direct marketing.
