Privacy policy

Information we collect

Personal information you provide

We may collect personal information when you interact with the Commercial Communications Council, including when you:

• Subscribe to newsletters or industry communications
• Register for events, training courses, awards programmes, webinars, or industry initiatives
• Complete website forms, surveys, or applications
• Request information, resources, or support
• Contact us directly
• Engage with membership-related services

The personal information we collect may include:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Postal address
• Organisation and job title
• Communication preferences
• Information provided through forms, registrations, surveys, applications, or correspondence

Providing personal information is voluntary. However, some services, communications, or programme access may not be available if required information is not provided.

Information collected automatically

When you visit our websites, we may collect technical and usage information, including:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Device type and operating system
• Pages viewed
• Time spent on pages
• Referral source
• Website interactions and engagement

This information may be collected through cookies, analytics tools, and website tracking technologies.

Where you have previously identified yourself through a form submission, event registration, email engagement, or other interaction, website activity may be associated with your contact record.

How we use your information

We may use personal information to:

• Deliver newsletters, industry updates, and other communications
• Administer memberships, programmes, awards, training, and events
• Process registrations, applications, and enquiries
• Provide resources and services you request
• Manage customer, stakeholder, and member relationships
• Improve our websites, communications, programmes, and services
• Conduct research, reporting, and industry analysis
• Meet our legal and regulatory obligations in New Zealand

We may also use information about your engagement with emails, forms, registrations, and website content to better understand audience interests and improve the relevance and effectiveness of our communications.

Marketing communications

You may receive communications from us where you have subscribed to receive updates, registered for a programme, event, training course, award, or service, requested information from us, or otherwise interacted with the Commercial Communications Council.

Our communications may include industry news, programme updates, event information, training opportunities, awards information, and other information relevant to the advertising and communications industry.

Our marketing communications comply with the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007. You will only receive commercial electronic messages where there is a valid basis for doing so, and every message includes a functional unsubscribe mechanism.

You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time using the unsubscribe link included in our emails or by contacting us directly.

Who we share information with

We may share personal information with trusted service providers who support the delivery of our operations, services, and communications, including providers of:

• Customer relationship management systems
• Website hosting and content management systems
• Email communications platforms
• Event registration and ticketing platforms
• Forms and survey platforms
• Workflow automation and systems integration services
• Analytics and reporting services
• Online meeting and scheduling tools
• Business administration platforms

These providers may process personal information on our behalf only for the purposes of providing services to us.

We may also disclose personal information:

• Where required or permitted by New Zealand law
• To regulatory authorities where legally required
• Where you have provided consent

We do not sell personal information.

We may share aggregated or anonymised information that does not identify individuals.

Data security and storage

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from loss, unauthorised access, misuse, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

We use third-party service providers to support our operations, including customer relationship management, communications, website, event management, survey, scheduling, analytics, and business administration platforms.

Personal information may be stored or processed in New Zealand, Australia, and other jurisdictions where our service providers operate. Where personal information is disclosed or transferred outside New Zealand, we take reasonable steps to ensure that it is protected by safeguards comparable to those required under the Privacy Act 2020 or otherwise permitted under New Zealand law.

Retention of information

Contact records are generally retained for up to 12 months following your last engagement with us. After that period, records with no ongoing engagement are reviewed and removed unless there is a legal or operational reason to retain them.

When personal information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to securely delete, anonymise, or otherwise dispose of it in accordance with our obligations under the Privacy Act 2020.

Privacy breaches

If we become aware of a privacy breach involving personal information that is likely to cause serious harm, we will respond in accordance with our obligations under the Privacy Act 2020, including notifying affected individuals and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner where required.

Cookies and tracking technologies

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help websites function effectively and provide information about how visitors use a website.

How we use cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Enable website functionality
• Understand website usage and performance
• Measure the effectiveness of communications and campaigns
• Remember user preferences
• Improve website experience

Analytics and tracking

We may use analytics and tracking tools to better understand how visitors engage with our websites, communications, programmes, and services.

These tools may collect information such as pages viewed, referral sources, device information, browser information, and interactions with website content.

Where you submit a form, register for an event, open emails, or otherwise interact with our digital services, information about those interactions may be recorded within our customer relationship management systems to help us manage communications and improve our services.

Cookie consent

When you first visit our website, you will be presented with a cookie consent notice. You can manage your cookie preferences at that time, including accepting or declining non-essential cookies.

You may update your preferences at any time through the cookie settings available on our website.

Managing cookies

Most web browsers allow you to manage, restrict, or disable cookies through browser settings.

Disabling cookies may affect the functionality and performance of some areas of our websites.

Third-party websites

Our websites may contain links to external websites operated by third parties.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of third-party websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

Your rights under the Privacy Act 2020

Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to:

• Request access to personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of personal information that is inaccurate or incomplete
• Withdraw consent where consent has been provided and is capable of being withdrawn
• Opt out of marketing communications
• Raise a privacy concern or complaint

If you are not satisfied with our response to a privacy concern, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

Managing your preferences

Marketing communications

You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by:

• Using the unsubscribe link included in our emails
• Managing your communication preferences through our emails
• Contacting office@commscouncil.nz

Accessing or updating your information

To request access to, or correction of, personal information we hold about you, please contact us using the details below.

Email: office@commscouncil.nz

We will respond to privacy requests in accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act 2020.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, technology, services, organisational practices, or operational requirements.

Any updates will be published on this page and will take effect from the date of publication.

Privacy Officer

The Commercial Communications Council has appointed a Privacy Officer responsible for overseeing privacy-related matters and responding to privacy enquiries.

Privacy Officer: Simon Lendrum, Chief Executive Officer

For privacy enquiries, requests to access or correct personal information, or concerns about how your information has been handled, please contact simon@commscouncil.nz.

Contact us

Commercial Communications Council

Level 4, Suite 404
48 Greys Avenue
Auckland Central 1010
New Zealand

Email: office@commscouncil.nz

For more information about privacy rights in New Zealand, visit the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.