Code of Practice

We abide by the Code of Practice of the International Visual Communications Association. Worthwhile.tv has been a loyal member of this trade body for over 15 years.

Under the brand of ‘Effective Partnerships’ the IVCA have launched a Code of Practice that is designed to support professional, ethical and successful relationships, between the commissioners and producers of corporate and public sector communications.

The Code aims to secure strong and productive working relationships based on mutual respect. Self-regulation lies at the heart of the document and it attempts to explain the need for setting limits to numbers requested to ‘pitch’ and to encourage an open and transparent relationship between commissioners and producers.

• Realising that personal integrity and mutual respect is required from both buyer and supplier if the project is to be satisfying and effective.
• Jointly working towards effective and sustainable business models.
• Determining, in advance, clear and mutually agreed aims and objectives.
• Using plain and open language in all discussions and correspondences.
• Agreeing a realistic budget for the project and ensuring full transparency over all issues of expenditure.
• Understanding that requirements, over and above the original agreement, may incur additional costs.
• Ensuring both parties invest time and energy in developing a joint understanding of each other’s work.
• Clarifying all aspects of the processes and methodology required.
• Mutually agreeing project milestones.
• Introducing key members of the production and commissioning team at the beginning of the project and ensuring that they remain as consistent as possible throughout the work.
• Making clear how the sign-off process will be undertaken and who will be making the final decision.
• Having access to the final decision-maker before significant project costs are incurred.
• Realising that both parties should be prepared to be flexible and approachable.
• Ensuring that the production contract mirrors all aspects of the agreement and payment schedule.
• Committing both parties to a structured review process that would take place after delivery of the project/work.
• Ensuring mutual agreement from the beginning of the project on the proposed usage of programmes, clearly addressing copyright and related IP matters, so that appropriate permissions are obtained for different required media usage.