The Media Leader

News analysis, opinion and insight for media and advertising professionals

Reddit an alternative to ‘sanitised and summarised’ AI search, says ads EVP

Stephen Riad discusses why Reddit’s strong user and advertising revenue growth has stemmed from a desire for human connection, even as brands view the platform as core to their LLM strategies.

Fire TV, Alexa+: Amazon wants to turn every household device into an ad format

Charlotte Maines is VP of devices content and advertising at Amazon Ads, overseeing advertising activities across Fire TV, Alexa, and tablets. The Media Leader France caught up with her on the Croissette.

Rethinking TV

Next time a familiar problem feels stuck in the mud – the tool, the product or the idea in front of you might already hold the answer, if you’re willing to reframe what it’s for.

You only win when they’re singing

Winning attention isn’t just about making noise; it’s about giving people something they can sing, writes Chris Herbert-Lo.

Universal Ads is live in the UK. Now what? With Channel 4’s Rak Patel

In partnership with Channel 4, host Jack Benjamin sat down with the broadcaster’s commercial chief to discuss the launch of Universal Ads and why, in Patel’s words, TV offers an “oasis” for advertisers.

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Opinion

Matteo Ferrario

The qualities that made TV valuable, like reach, attention and trusted environments, still matter. What has changed is the ability to understand what happens next.

Martine Hammink

Motion in DOOH is a powerful tool. Vista Media’s Martine Hammink explains how to ensure it enhances the campaign’s creative.

Omar Oakes

Media owners must stop competing on the metric that devalues them, writes Omar Oakes.

Data Snapshot

Data-led charts from across the UK media landscape

Find out more about the UK's most comprehensive aggregator of media data.

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The Future of Media Manchester 2026 is the region's premier event bringing together media planners, strategists, and buyers to explore the biggest challenges and opportunities shaping the commercial media landscape. Hosted by The Media Leader, the event features expert speakers, thought-provoking debates and research-led sessions designed to spark honest conversations about where the industry is heading. Taking place at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester on 17 September, the event will bring together 600+ industry professionals and 40+ speakers for a full day of insight, discussion and networking. Attendees can expect sharp debates, fresh perspectives and valuable connections with senior leaders across the media ecosystem — making it a must-attend for anyone looking to stay ahead of the industry’s next chapter.
17 September 2026

News analysis, opinion and insight for media and advertising professionals

Reddit an alternative to ‘sanitised and summarised’ AI search, says ads EVP

Stephen Riad discusses why Reddit’s strong user and advertising revenue growth has stemmed from a desire for human connection, even as brands view the platform as core to their LLM strategies.

Fire TV, Alexa+: Amazon wants to turn every household device into an ad format

Charlotte Maines is VP of devices content and advertising at Amazon Ads, overseeing advertising activities across Fire TV, Alexa, and tablets. The Media Leader France caught up with her on the Croissette.

Rethinking TV

Next time a familiar problem feels stuck in the mud – the tool, the product or the idea in front of you might already hold the answer, if you’re willing to reframe what it’s for.

You only win when they’re singing

Winning attention isn’t just about making noise; it’s about giving people something they can sing, writes Chris Herbert-Lo.

Universal Ads is live in the UK. Now what? With Channel 4’s Rak Patel

In partnership with Channel 4, host Jack Benjamin sat down with the broadcaster’s commercial chief to discuss the launch of Universal Ads and why, in Patel’s words, TV offers an “oasis” for advertisers.

The Media Leader

Opinion

CTV is expanding TV’s role, not replacing it

Think your DOOH creative stands out? Here is how to know for sure

Cost per meaningless thousand

Industry News

Global launches outdoor trade marketing campaign to drive OOH in media plans

The Brief – Monday 29 June: ‘Careless People’ author sues Meta, AI takes Cannes, ITV to drop rugby in-game ads

Caroline Davey takes up role as Barb CEO amid other promotions

The rise of the news creators

Carat named Media Network of the Year

OpenAI wants $100bn of ad revenue. But it can’t ‘guarantee’ brand safety

Fewer than one in 15 pieces of creator content delivers both audience engagement and ROI

Audio drives profit and trust when included in marketing mix, global study finds

Data Analysis

Mapping the UK agency landscape

The industry is calling it cross-media. It’s not

Campaign ROI is maximised when audio gets 25% of spend, finds Radiocentre report

Tech firms must enforce tougher age checks for social media platforms, regulator says

Data Snapshot

The ad-vantages of streaming

World Cup Wonders

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The Future of Media Manchester 2026