The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) has seen the promotional release from the journal 'Addiction' and wishes to clarify a number of points. ESA is the trade body representing the sponsorship industry in Europe. The Association's 240 members include sports governing bodies, arts companies, sports clubs, sponsorship consultancies, suppliers to the sector and also sponsors. Sponsor members include brands such as Visa, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, National Express, Guardian Newspapers, Aviva and Castrol.
ESA has a number of drinks industry members which account for three percent of its membership. The Association's agenda is independent as it looks after the benefits of sponsorship in general and its views are not set by the drinks sector.
Karen Earl, ESA Chairman, acknowledges that the alcohol sector is an important source of sponsorship revenue and says that ESA is highly mindful of the way that alcohol sponsorship has become linked in the press and in some people's minds with problem drinking. . . . . .
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