The Advertising Standards Authority, the independent advertising self-regulatory body responsible for promoting, regulating and enforcing the highest standards of marketing communications in Ireland, has appointed Ann Marie Lenihan, Clare Mulcahy, and Michael O’Keeffe to its Board.
The appointments of Clare Mulcahy and Michael O’Keeffe to the Board represent a significant milestone for the Advertising Standards Authority, introducing independent, non-industry perspectives that will enhance its mission to ‘Foster Trust in Advertising for all’.
Ann Marie Lenihan is CEO of NewsBrands Ireland, a representative body for national news publishers. Since her appointment to the role in 2016, Ann Marie has led the organisation in successful lobbying for the abolition of VAT on both print and digital newspapers, a change reflected in the 2023 Budget. More recently, she spearheaded efforts that resulted in the publication of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill, which aims to reform Ireland defamation laws.
Ann Marie is a member of the supervisory board of the World Association of News Publishers and vice-chair of its directors committee. She is also a director of News Media Europe, the voice of the news media industry in Europe, and serves on News Media Europe’s copyright and media freedom task forces.
With over 25 years’ experience in media and communications across Ireland, the UK and South Africa, Ann Marie is a UCD graduate of Psychology and holds a Diploma in Counselling from Maynooth University.
Clare Mulcahy is Head of Consumer Affairs at the Irish Aviation Authority and was also previously a member of the Advertising Standards Authority Complaints Committee. An accomplished leader in consumer protection and regulatory compliance, Clare has also worked with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, where she managed compliance for water, electricity and gas markets. Clare also served as the Retail Regulatory Operations Manager for a major telecommunications operator, where she ensured regulatory compliance in product development, retail operations and advertising campaigns.
In her current position, Clare plays a pivotal role in ensuring that airlines, airports and the broader travel industry comply with aviation consumer laws. She also handles escalated consumer protection issues within Ireland and across the EU, collaborating with European counterparts to ensure the effective application of consumer protection laws.
Clare holds a Law Degree (LL.B) from Trinity College Dublin, a Master’s in International Business from University College Dublin, and an MBA from Trinity College Dublin.
Michael O’Keeffe is the former Chief Executive of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), having worked in this role for the BAI and its predecessors between 1991 and 2021. While in this role, Michael served as a member of the Advertising Standards Authority Complaints Committee.
Michael worked with Coimisiún na Meán (formally the BAI) in a consultancy role from May 2023 – June 2024 to oversee the administration and management of the Commission’s Commercial Radio Licensing Plan and a range of the Commission’s broadcasting compliance functions.
Michael has separately undertaken selection interviewing processes with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and the Houses of the Oireachtas, where he has acted as Independent Chairperson of the Board on a number of senior management selection processes. He is also a member of the Greyhound Racing Controls Committee of Rásaíocht Con Éireann having being appointed by the Minister for Agriculture in 2022 to serve a four year term.
Commenting on the appointments, Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of the Advertising Standards Authority, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Ann Marie, Clare and Michael to the Board. Each appointee brings a wealth of expertise to the role. Their insights will be invaluable to the wider Board of the Advertising Standards Authority and their combined knowledge will offer expert guidance on the dynamic advertising landscape.
Commenting on the appointments, Miriam Hughes,(Chair of the Board said
“We are very much looking forward to working with Ann Marie, Clare and Michael in the future. Clare and Michael’s appointments, in particular, are an important milestone for the organisation. Their independent voices will bring fresh perspectives to the Board’s deliberations, enriching our decision making process and strengthening our commitment to safeguarding consumers from advertising that is harmful, offensive, or misleading.”
The Board is responsible for oversight of the Advertising Standards Authority’s business activities and performance. They also contribute towards drawing up and implementing the Code of Standards for Advertising and Marketing Communications in Ireland.
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