About us
Why Us
Generally the management of transactions between entertainment distribution companies and classification authorities are quite routine. However, as the day to day work of most company employees does not usually involve interactions with government agencies and processes, the switch from transactions with commercial clients to transactions with a public sector bureaucracy is not always easy. This can result in simple errors or delays and negative outcomes.
MLCS Management provides expert assistance to ensure that transactions with Government Agencies such as the Classification Board and the Australian Communications & Media Authority are smooth and simple, and that they do not create any unmanageable delays in the process of putting product into the consumer market.
Efficient Use of Resources
Using an external expert resource is more efficient and problem free than the partial utilisation of internal resources (staff) with expertise in other areas of the business.
Classifications rarely require the dedication of full time staff in Australian businesses. As the classification process can be complicated in many cases, the amount of time and effort required from company staff to manage classifications can vary considerably. If a staff member is torn between conflicting work requirements, this can impact significantly on either the quality of the classification application/assessment or the quality of the standard business processes of the company.
If the classification process is outsourced, management can more readily prepare accurate business plans and budgets to meet expected workloads and requirements in areas such as marketing and production.
Other Benefits
The consistency and predictability of classification outcomes is often critical to running an efficient distribution business and ensuring that product gets to retailers on time and fully compliant with legal requirements.
The classification of a product (or its assessment against other criteria where classification is not required) may have consequences for the business for two reasons:
- Short timelines can require the business to produce material such as packaging and advertising in anticipation of the expected classification decision or assessment. In addition, the requirement to embed classification meta-data in some product further shortens timelines. If an unexpected classification decision is made, significant changes must be made - resulting in lost resources, wasted expenditure and time delays.
- An unfavourable classification may reduce the appeal of the product to certain market sectors – impacting on revenue.
Where a decision from the Classification Board is required, other issues must be considered. The Classification Board makes independent decisions on the merits of the content of each publication, film or computer game. However, the classification decision making process is clearly somewhat subjective, and relies on the view of a group of individuals who react (like all of us) to the information they receive.
In addition, the Classification Guidelines have two main principles – the consideration of impact and context. A classification decision can vary considerably depending upon how the Classification Board views these principles in relation to each application. As required by the legislation, that will always be based on the material provided in the application for classification.
MLCS Management’s experience with, and expert knowledge of, the National Classification Scheme and the procedures required by the legislation and guidelines can ensure that applications and assessments are written in such a way that the impact and context of the product are clearly presented – providing the best opportunity for a consistent and quality classification decision.
Expert Knowledge
Paul Hunt, Principal Consultant for MLCS Management, is an expert on the National Classification Scheme, and provides advice on classification issues for films, computer games, publications, television, advertising, and online & telephone content. Paul was the Deputy Director of the Classification Board and Deputy CEO of the Office of Film and Literature Classification for six years. During that time he was directly responsible for the executive management of a number of matters relevant to transactions with clients including:
- Application handling procedures
- Classification Board decision making procedures
- Development of proposals and procedures relating to the assessment schemes for computer games, additional content on DVDs, TV series on DVD, and advertising
- Design of the structure of the current Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games
- Liaison with other government agencies including the Australian Communications & Media Authority and the Australian Customs Service, regarding the classification of online content and the importation of product
Paul has expert knowledge of new and emerging entertainment technologies and significant experience in stakeholder management in regulatory environments. Paul has worked with entertainment industry peak bodies in policy development and government relations. He has also developed proposals for classification policy research for international government agencies and made presentations regarding classification and censorship to international forums in Europe, the USA and Asia.
Paul also has significant experience in managing regulatory/policy functions in local and state governments, and business experience in the building and hospitality industries. Through MLCS Management, Paul provides expertise and experience in strategy, planning and change management, particularly in the area of business and government interaction over regulatory issues.
Paul holds an Executive Masters of Business Administration from the University of Technology, Sydney.