Our team of knowledgeable and experienced advisers can offer an informed view of the likely acceptability of your non-broadcast marketing communications under the CAP Code. All of our advisers are well-versed in the complexities of the CAP Code and how it's likely to be interpreted by the ASA. They keep abreast of complaints made to the ASA and the watchdog’s subsequent decisions, whether or not the ASA Council upheld the complaint.
For more detailed advice on advertising copy, please submit an enquiry to the Copy Advice in writing here.
**CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR AVAILABILITY**
The Copy Advice service will be closed:
- from 12pm on 24 December 2024 until 9am on 30 December; and
- from 4pm on 31 December until 9am on 2 January 2025.
As a result, our response times are likely to be affected. Enquiries submitted after 11am on 23 December may not receive a response until 30 December. Similarly, enquiries submitted after 2pm on 30 December, may not receive a response until 2 January. If you require an urgent response please make use of our 'Express advice' option for advice within 4 working hours.
Although it is given by the team in good faith, their advice is not binding on the ASA or CAP and our advisors do not give legal advice.
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Emma Humber-Smith
Copy Advice Manager
Emma took over as Operations Manager for Copy Advice in 2017. Her team provides advertisers, agencies and media owners with free and confidential advice, giving an informed view of the likely acceptability of non-broadcast marketing communications under the CAP Code.
Emma studied Law, specialising in Entertainment Law, at the University of Westminster before joining the ASA in 2011 as a Complaints Executive and becoming a Senior Complaints Executive in 2014. She moved to Copy Advice in 2015.
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Janet Taylor
Copy Advice Senior Executive
Janet studied Communication Processes at the University of Humberside. She worked as a Case Officer for the premium rate regulator PhonepayPlus (now the Phone-paid Services Authority) for nine years and joined the Copy Advice team in 2015 after spending six years working for the ASA’s Investigations team.
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Sam Wilson
Copy Advice Senior Executive
Sam studied three-dimensional and spatial design before joining the ASA in 2008, first in the Complaints Reception team and then as a Complaints Executive. He moved over to CAP’s Compliance team in 2015, before joining the Copy Advice team in September 2019.
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David Elwis
Copy Advice Executive
David joined the Copy Advice Team in November 2017. Prior to joining the team he spent 11 years working at the Financial Ombudsman Service in a variety of roles, including as a trainer and an investigator.
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Sophie Marchant
Copy Advice Executive
Sophie studied English Literature at Brunel University before working at the Financial Ombudsman Service for six years. She joined the ASA Complaints team in 2016 before becoming a Copy Advice Executive in November 2017.
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Adam Flynn
Copy Advice Executive
Adam studied Law at the University of Reading. In 2021, following the completion of a training contract with Shoosmiths, Adam joined DLA Piper, where he advised on a range of regulatory matters. In September 2023, Adam joined CAP’s Copy Advice team as a Copy Advice Executive.
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Jenny Graves
Copy Advice Executive
Jenny studied English Literature at the University of Cambridge and has worked in Complaints and Investigations at the ASA. She has also volunteered at Citizens Advice, as well as other community organisations. She moved to the Copy Advice team in 2023.
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Helen Mathews
Copy Advice Executive
Helen joined the Copy Advice team in October 2023 after working for six years in the ASA’s Investigations team. Prior to this she studied English at the University of Birmingham and then worked within planning in media agency Starcom, before also working at the Restorative Justice Council in standards and quality assurance roles for nearly four years.
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Jo Walker-Davidson
Copy Advice Executive
Jo studied English Literature at the University of Glasgow and volunteered for local hospital radio services. After starting work in the public sector, she subsequently moved to Channel 5. She worked at Clearcast for 8 years before joining the CAP Compliance team in 2018 and became a Copy Advice Executive in October 2023.