WorldDAB
Services provided: Public Affairs Consulting
Background
Whitehouse supported WorldDAB, the global industry forum for DAB Digital Radio, in achieving their objective to push for the adoption of DAB / DAB + networks and services across Europe.
WorldDAB is a not-for-profit membership organisation representing companies and organisations from across the sector (including government departments, media regulators, public and private broadcasters, transmission network operators, receiver manufacturers, silicon providers and vehicle manufacturers).
In mid-2016, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a European Electronic Communications Code. WorldDAB’s aim was to secure a key set of amendments that would ensure that radios sold across the EU would need to have both analogue and digital capability. This would apply to all car radios and most consumer radios.
Our strategy
Whitehouse’s strategy focused on influencing the European Parliament report on the Commission proposal as well as discussions in the Council between the 28 Member States of the EU. The main goal of our strategy was to generate support for digital radio through the promotion of a better understanding of its benefits amongst key policy-makers.
Whitehouse’s focus at the beginning of the campaign was to work with WorldDAB to develop clear, concise and evidence-based messaging to educate political stakeholders about digital radio and its benefits, and the need for harmonisation at EU level to avoid market fragmentation. This messaging guided our briefing material, position papers and correspondence with stakeholders.
WorldDAB’s position was also emphasised in the face-to-face meetings held with MEPs, their advisers, Commission officials and the Member States attachés who were working on this dossier. Through these relationships, WorldDAB was able to obtain intelligence over key developments and amendments to the text, which helped us to tailor our strategy to ongoing developments. This way, those attending the inter-institutional negotiations were briefed accurately on WorldDAB’s objectives.
Outcome
As a result of the Whitehouse’s engagement work with key stakeholders and our achievement in delivering a clear and technically detailed message, we secured a satisfactory compromise for the amendments that was crucial for the digital radio sector and for WorldDAB’s objectives and interests.
Testimonial
“The Whitehouse Consultancy surpassed all our expectations. When we started working with the Whitehouse team, we were just hoping for a mention in the Digital Single Market Strategy. We have ended up with a Directive that mandates that all new car radios in the EU should be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio. A great accomplishment – and one we would not have achieved without the Whitehouse guidance and support”
Patrick Hannon, President of WorldDAB
