FAQ
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If you can't find the answer to your question in our FAQs, you might find it in our Welcome to Clearcast, brochure which outlines who we are and what we do. If you'd like a handy A5 sized copy sent to you, please request one from communications@clearcast.co.uk with your address details
Questions:
1) What is Clearcast?
2) What does it cost to clear an ad? / Does Clearcast charge for clearing an ad?
3) Should I send my sponsorship idents to Clearcast for clearance?
4) Can I get provisional approval for my ad?
5) What are the rules for teleshopping ad clearance?
6) Who do I contact for teleshopping enquiries?
7) What is a late submission and how do I arrange one?
8) Who do I contact if I have a script query?
9) Will evidence submitted in support of advertising claims be kept confidential?
10) Does Clearcast have counterparts in other countries?
11) Does Clearcast clear radio ads?
12) Does Clearcast clear ads for broadcast in the Republic of Ireland?
13) What is a clock number?
14) How long does clearance take?
15) What is the clearance procedure for getting Clearcast approval?
Answers:
1) What is Clearcast?
Our core role is to provide preclearance for TV and VoD adverts on behalf of the commercial broadcasters (ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Daybreak, Turner, Sky). We work alongside advertisers and advertising agencies to get ads to air and to keep them there.
There's lots more info around this website but as a first stop, see the About Us section of our site.
2) What does it cost to clear an ad? / Does Clearcast charge for clearing an ad?
Clearcast does not charge for clearing short-form ads that are of less than 5 minutes in duration and that will be aired on the channels that we clear for. If your ad is over 5 minutes in length and is being submitted for the first time, it will be subjected to a charge. More details can be found here.
We also provide a "Pitch Perfect" service for scripts that are submitted as part of a pitching process and details can be found here.
We may also clear on an ad hoc basis for broadcasters who do not subscribe to our services and these clearances are charged per submission.
3) Should I send my sponsorship idents to Clearcast for clearance?
Clearcast does not clear sponsorship idents; instead you would need to have them cleared by the broadcaster on whose channel they will appear.
4) Can I get provisional approval for my ad?
Provisional approvals are granted to give temporary clearance to a commercial to allow it to be transmitted before the full approval process has been completed. Provisional approvals are normally only granted in cases where the clearance of the commercial is likely to be fairly straightforward.
For further information please take a look at our workflow document:
File: Clearcast Copy Clearance Workflow
5) What are the rules for teleshopping ad clearance?
The rules applicable to teleshopping scripts are the same that apply to all advertising and the first reference point should be the BCAP Television Advertising Standards Code
6) Who do I contact for teleshopping enquiries?
Clearcast has a dedicated team that provides clearance for teleshopping ads:
Teleshopping Clearance Manager – Justyna Shala (020 7339 4706) and Senior Teleshopping Clearance Executive – Paul Burrows (020 7339 4716)
7) What is a late submission and how do I arrange one?
On May 4th 2010, Clearcast introduced a deadline for the submission of ads for broadcast throughout the week. This follows a review of current arrangements undertaken with our shareholder broadcasters.
The deadline allows Clearcast to clear ads for broadcasters by 6pm; it also ensures we have enough time to undertake the routine technical checks needed and to let broadcasters have all clearances in time before broadcast. The deadline also avoids the need for broadcasters to use alternative copy in spots for which ads have not been cleared because they have been submitted too late.
We recommend you read the full article about the process for arranging a late clearance. Please click here
8) Who do I contact if I have a script query?
When a Clearcast account was created you will have been allocated a Copy Group Executive who will be responsible for clearance of your script. You can find out who your Executive is by either calling our switchboard on 020 7339 4700 or inputting your Agency name in our Exec Finder on the Contact Us page. It is via this method that you can also discover who your Operations Assistant is.
9) Will evidence submitted in support of advertising claims be kept confidential?
All confidential information submitted by or on behalf of advertisers will be held in confidence by Clearcast. Accordingly Clearcast will not disclose, copy, reproduce or distribute any such confidential information save only as is required in connection with the clearance and broadcasting of the commercial, except where Clearcast is required to do so by law or regulation or by governmental or competent regulatory authority.
10) Does Clearcast have counterparts in other countries?
Clearcast, together with the European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA), offers an online copy advice / pre-clearance facility. It allows users to submit their copy for advice in the selected country/ies by the self-regulatory organisation for advertising in the country. For more on how it works and e.g. where pre-clearance is required, go to www.ad-advice.org
11) Does Clearcast clear radio ads?
Radio ads are cleared by the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC). For further information contact the RACC at www.racc.co.uk.
12) Does Clearcast clear ads for broadcast in the Republic of Ireland?
Clearcast clears ads for broadcast on channels that broadcast from the UK into the Republic of Ireland e.g. BSkyB and Channel Four. For further information about clearance for ads broadcast from the Republic of Ireland contact RTE http://www.rte.ie/ or copyclearance@rte.ie.
13) What is a clock number?
A unique alphanumeric identification number used to identify an advertisement and its creators/source (the advertising agency). The number is used from the clearance process through to transmission and post-transmission reporting.
Please note that clock number must be entered in the following format:
1. Agency Code (3 alpha characters)
2. Terminator /
3. Client Code (2 alpha characters)
4. Product Code (2 alpha characters)
5. Unique Id (3 numeric characters)
6. Terminator /
7. Duration (3 numeric characters)
For example: XYZ/ABCD001/030
If your submission is Linear and Video on-Demand (Teleshopping) or Linear and Video on-Demand (Green button), the clock number should be entered as
EITHER
[Agency Code - AAA] + "/" + [Client Code - AA] + [Product Code - AA] + [Unique Id – NN] + "/" + [duration - NNNN]
OR
[Agency Code - AAA] + "/" + [Client Code - AA] + [Product Code - AA] + [Unique Id - N] + "/" + [duration - NNNNN]
14) How long does clearance take?
The time taken for script depends on its complexity. Straight forward scripts may take only a few days to approve whereas those that require in-depth analysis and, possibly, a consultant's view on technical evidence take longer. Clearcast aims to either feedback on or approve rough or clocked commercials within two days of ingestion.
15) What is the clearance procedure for getting Clearcast approval?
Pre-production scripts and rough-cut or finished commercials should be submitted to Clearcast, to the relevant assigned individual. For those that subscribe to it, pre-production scripts and films can be uploaded digitally to Clearcast's digital clearance system, Adway. Please see our Clearance Process for further info.