There has been some further coverage of SMA-UK including a piece in print in B2B marketing which principally questioned the purpose of the SMA stating that we had 'missed the point' and that we should be more focused on the accreditation of agencies.

Nicholine Hayward of weboptimiser was interviewed and reinforced this view.

The debate is great - but find it unfortunate when criticisms like come from 'outside' the association which could so usefully have been made inside the association. There would then have been more awareness of the fact that standards are one of our key objectives and that Barry Lloyd is chairing a committee which is investigating this whole area.

At our executive committee meeting, we spent some considerable time discussing this and what route is open to us to explore - but there are legal ramifications from restricting membership which we have been briefed on and which we must work around.

Weboptimiser is very welcome to join our discussions and debate from the inside.

Meanwhile, Mad.co.uk published the above article - your comments appreciated - from the inside of course!