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A round-up of some of the best research of the year

A round-up of some of the best research of the year

There has been plenty of invaluable research published this year, The Media Leader reached out to the research community to for their top picks.

Research moments to look out for in 2026

Research moments to look out for in 2026

There will be lots of key research coming out in 2026, The Media Leader asks research experts what they are most looking forward to.

Stop cosplaying feminism 

Stop cosplaying feminism 

Women are disproportionately facing the sharp edges of redundancy and silence is not the solution, says Nicola Kemp
Attention! Why brands shouldn’t underestimate the performance advantage of local news

Attention! Why brands shouldn’t underestimate the performance advantage of local news

Research from Reach and PA Consulting finds that ads on local online news sites outperform those on social media, video, radio, or apps. Reach’s chief revenue officer examines the reasons. 
The Brief – Friday 12 December – Warc upgraded its adspend forecast, Disney and OpenAI partnership, AI backlash for McDonalds and more

The Brief – Friday 12 December – Warc upgraded its adspend forecast, Disney and OpenAI partnership, AI backlash for McDonalds and more

Welcome to the Brief for Friday 12 December, The Media Leader’s round-up of media news.
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Opinion

A year in review for media agencies… without the rankings and self-deception

Omar Oakes assesses what 2025 actually revealed about media agencies and why the usual scorecards are lying to us.

‘Tis the streaming season: how Christmas viewing is rewriting the rules of TV advertising

Streaming is well-suited to the festive consumer mindset, presenting the perfect Christmas gift for media buyers, says Magnite’s Sam Wilson.

The opportunity and obstacle of Grand Theft Auto VI

Gamers will need to wait another six months for the delayed GTA VI. However, Arena Media’s group managing partner believes it will be worth it, and brands should start planning for the return of Vice City now.

Industry News

Our most-read stories of 2025

Our most-read stories of 2025

The Brief – Monday 15 December – Reddit challenges Australia’s social ban, Trump signs AI order, Disney accuses Google and more

The Brief – Monday 15 December – Reddit challenges Australia’s social ban, Trump signs AI order, Disney accuses Google and more

What a K-shaped economy could mean for the ad market — with Kate Scott-Dawkins

What a K-shaped economy could mean for the ad market — with Kate Scott-Dawkins

LHF restrictions round-up: How each media channel is impacted

LHF restrictions round-up: How each media channel is impacted

What will define the future of TV advertising? With Roku’s Mike Shaw

What will define the future of TV advertising? With Roku’s Mike Shaw

The Brief – Thursday 11 December – ITVX surpassed annual streams record, social media use, audio partnerships and more

The Brief – Thursday 11 December – ITVX surpassed annual streams record, social media use, audio partnerships and more

Comcast Ads president: Uneven measurement standards create an ‘existential’ challenge for TV

Comcast Ads president: Uneven measurement standards create an ‘existential’ challenge for TV

Karen Eccles named as new Sky Media MD

Karen Eccles named as new Sky Media MD

Data Analysis

The Brief – Wednesday 10 December – EU investigates Google, Gemini will have ads, WPP wins UK government media account and more

The Brief – Wednesday 10 December – EU investigates Google, Gemini will have ads, WPP wins UK government media account and more

The Brief – Wednesday 3 December – Apple’s Head of AI steps down, a win for journalists at Politico, Warner Bros. Discovery sale nears close and more

The Brief – Wednesday 3 December – Apple’s Head of AI steps down, a win for journalists at Politico, Warner Bros. Discovery sale nears close and more

EssenceMediacom and Tesco take top gongs at Newsworks Awards 2025

EssenceMediacom and Tesco take top gongs at Newsworks Awards 2025

Keeping the TV ecosystem healthy – Barb Data Hub

Keeping the TV ecosystem healthy – Barb Data Hub

Data Snapshot

Data-led charts from across the UK media landscape

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