AGDA & the creative industry address free pitching with ACT Government

20th March, 2009

AGDA and the ACT design professionals made a call to action regarding free pitching at the end of last year in a letter to the ACT Government. The letter drew attention to the perceived requirement of free pitching from agencies in order to win government contracts.

This was positively received and culminated in a meeting between the Chief Minister's department and AGDA ACT President David Constantine, National President Fiona Brine, Executive Director Rita Siow and Industry representative Michael Byrne, on 28 January 2009.

At the meeting, AGDA had the opportunity to put the case against free pitching - citing contraventions of the AGDA professional code of conduct and that of ICOGRADA, the international graphic design alliance of 187 graphic design organisations in 56 countries.

The Chief Minister's department was receptive to AGDA's concerns and mindful of the implications for small businesses in the ACT, proposing dialogue with AGDA ACT with a view to addressing the situation through new policy development.

Through further meetings AGDA ACT has supplied case studies of Government Design Procurement and draft selection process models for consideration by the Chief Minister's Department.

AGDA ACT will continue to work with the Chief Minister's office toward a result that is beneficial for both parties.