What Is OHMSA

Constitution

Click Here to Download our Constitution. ( 365.0 k .pdf file)

Code Of Practice And Standards For Out Of Home Media South Africa

The Out of Home Media SA Code of Practice and Standards (hereinafter referred to as “the Code”) detailed hereunder is binding on all Members of the Association.

Conscious of their responsibility to the community and, in particular, to the users of Out of Home media all members of the association bind themselves to the Code of Practice set out in this document, the Constitution of Out of Home Media SA and undertake faithfully to adhere to their provisions.

An Executive Committee, elected from the Members, administers the Code and it is to be applied by Members in the spirit as well as the letter. The Code may be amended after due notice by a majority vote of those present and entitled to vote at a General Meeting of the Association.

The Code is endorsed by the ACA, the AMF, and MESA who undertake to support its requirements.

By implementing the requirements of this Code and Standards, Members of Out of Home Media SA will continue to enhance the position and status of the Out of Home media industry with Users, the Public, Government, Provincial Administrations and Municipal Authorities.

1. Out of Home Media SA accepts that a balance needs to be struck and maintained between:
   • the needs of commerce and industry and their legitimate rights as entrenched in the new Constitution on the one hand, and
   • the principles and beliefs of organizations, bodies and individuals concerned with the environment,on the other.
2. OHMSA believes that where controls are necessary, such controls should be prescribed and administered by the authority under whose jurisdiction it falls, or any body or organization appointed by such authority to carry out said administration.
3. OHMSA seeks to assist and co-operate with all Government, National, Provincial and Local Authorities or their duly appointed agents in establishing guidelines, regulations and by-laws that are necessary for the control of outdoor advertising.
4. OHMSA has established certain minimum standards for Out of Home media in South Africa in order to:
   • ensure that all members of OHMSA conform to the same principles and rules, thereby creating a more effective medium which will be of greater advantage to all advertisers;
   • create an atmosphere in which the various authorities and legislators will adopt a more positive attitude towards Out of Home media in all its formats;
   • enhance the knowledge and understanding of Advertisers and their Agencies in the use of Out of Home media and improve its creative standard;
   • minimise the extent of visual clutter caused by the proliferation of signs and to encourage the rationalisation of the numbers of existing signs while exercising discretion with the development of further signs;
   • encourage high construction, service and maintenance standards for Out of Home structures, promotional displays and transit media;
   • ensure a responsible attitude towards the construction, display and positioning of Out of Home media structures and/or promotional displays and/or transit media with a specific regard to road safety.
   Any Out of Home structure and/or promotional display and/or transit medium as permitted by a National Code of Practice, National regulation, Provincial, Municipal or other local authority by-law may not:-
   • be in conflict with applicable state legislation or local by-laws;
   • be detrimental to the nature of the environment in which it is located by reason of abnormal size, intensity of illumination and design;
   • be in its content objectionable, indecent or insensitive to any section of the public or to any religious or cultural groupings or the like, and must comply with the rules as set down by the Advertising Standards Authority;
   • unreasonably obscure partially or wholly any sign owned by any other Out of Home media owner, previously erected and legally displayed;
   • constitute a danger to any person or property.

Click Here to Download our Standards and Codes of Practice. ( 448.2 k .pdf file)

Responsibilities Of OHMSA And Its Members

1. Approvals
   Members of Out of Home Media SA undertake to co-operate fully with the various authorities prior to the erection of an Outdoor Advertising structure or promotional display or positioning of transit media and undertake not to erect any structure or display until such time as ALL the necessary approvals for such erection or positioning have been obtained.
2. Advertising Standards
   Members of OHMSA are obliged to carry only advertising that conforms to the Code of Advertising Standards laid down by the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa, of which OHMSA is a member.
3. Environment
   Members of Out of Home Media SA shall not compete to the detriment of the environment nor the Out of Home media industry.
4. Industry Reputation
   Members shall act at all times and in all ways with a view to elevating the status and reputation of the Out of Home media industry, even though this could on occasion be at the expense of self- interest.
5. Structures
   The construction of all Out of Home media structures, promotional displays and transit media will comply with approved specifications and be of a high standard of design and manufacture.
6. Maintenance
   
   • Out of Home structures, promotional displays and transit media shall be maintained to their original condition at all times and any damaged signs shall be repaired or replaced within 21 days, save and except illuminated Outdoor Advertising signs which shall be maintained and repaired within the contractual periods prescribed.
   • Members will conduct regular site inspections to ensure the good condition of boards, promotional displays and transit media and will co-operate by reporting competitor media owners’ sub-standard displays to the company concerned.
   • Clients will be informed when units are down or not in fit and proper condition and Members will advise within five working days on action taken n any reported problem.
7. Problems of Illumination
   Where illumination of a sign has been sub-standard for a month or a part thereof, 25% of the monthly rental is to be credited.
8. Removal Charges
   Where campaigns run for a period of 3 months or less a fee for removal of faces or blanking of boards will be levied.
9. Cancellation of Campaigns
   Where an Out of Home Media campaign is cancelled by the advertiser or the advertising agency, a cancellation fee of 75% of the balance of the contract is payable to the media owner.
10. Late Material
    Where client or their advertising agency is responsible for the supply of material for display on or in Out of Home Media and such material is delivered to the media owner later than the date agreed, the media owner will be entitled to charge for the full period of exposure without any compensation for late fighting. In the event of the media owner being responsible for the late production of display material, compensation is to be agreed between the media owner and the advertising agency or client, but will not exceed the daily rate applicable for the non-flighted media.
11. Advertising Clutter
    It is the responsibility of members to clean up any clutter situations by culling unsightly structures no longer in charge.
12. Site Identification
    Every Out of Home media sign or promotional display or transit media vehicle shall be identified by its own unique number and shall carry the name and or logo of the member concerned in a prominent position.
13. Liaison with Industry and Other Bodies
    OHMSA and its members will maintain close contact, attend joint meetings, and serve on committees, where possible with the following: ACA, AHI, ASA, ASOM, AMF, SAARF, SACOB, Spoornet, Intersite, Department of Transport, the South African National Roads Agency Limited, and Municipal bodies.
14. AdEx (formerly Adindex)
    All members will report expenditure to A.C. Nielsen (or any other research house commissioned to provide advertising expenditure statistics on behalf of the industry) on a monthly basis at rate card rates, including agency commission for inclusion in the AdEx Report.
15. M.I.T. Levies
    All members will pay the levies as determined by the Marketing Industry Trust or any other subsequent body to the Marketing Industry Trust or any other such body as decided upon by the Association of Marketers or its successors on a monthly basis.
16. Contracts
    Standard Out of Home Media Client Contracts are available and members are encouraged to make use of the document.
17. Good Faith
    In no way derogating from the above, the Members shall at all times in their dealings with third parties and with each other display the utmost good faith in the interests of the Association and its Members.

Click Here to Download our Standards and Codes of Practice. ( 448.2 k .pdf file)