The Media Leader

News analysis, opinion and insight for media and advertising professionals

AMI co-founders look to launch rival body for independents after being removed by AIA

The Alliance of Independent Agencies asked Martin Woolley and Paul Phelps to step down after a failed bid to divest the AMI from its parent body.

Why one-third of PMG’s employees are engineers – with EMEA CEO Josh Krichefski

Former IPA president and WPP Media veteran Josh Krichefski reflects on his first year at the independent agency.

FOMOMO and dying confidence

Kantar finds that marketers have a growing lack of confidence in their media decisions. This could be due to ‘fear of missing out on marketing opportunities’, argues Thinkbox CSO Elliott Millard.

Wanted: More difficult women

An industry debate which punishes women for calling out the damage toxic media narratives do to women and girls leaves us all falling short, writes Nicola Kemp.

ITV’s generative AI ads feature attracts 16 new-to-TV advertisers in debut year

The brands that have used the tool include a variety of small business types, from dentists and gardening companies to local councils. The campaigns have primarily run on ITVX.

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Opinion

Sharon Lloyd Barnes

The Future Leaders Network will feed insights, lived experiences, and big ideas into broader industry discussions and programmes, says the AA’s commercial director.

Lianre Robinson

The ad industry of 2030 is being built now. If we want to avoid Taco Bell’ing the future, we need to start asking some uncomfortable questions so everyone has a place.

Elaine Bremner

Bauer Media Audio’s Elaine Bremner reveals the thinking behind the company’s early careers apprenticeship programme.

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

AMI co-founders look to launch rival body for independents after being removed by AIA

The Alliance of Independent Agencies asked Martin Woolley and Paul Phelps to step down after a failed bid to divest the AMI from its parent body.

Why one-third of PMG’s employees are engineers – with EMEA CEO Josh Krichefski

Former IPA president and WPP Media veteran Josh Krichefski reflects on his first year at the independent agency.

FOMOMO and dying confidence

Kantar finds that marketers have a growing lack of confidence in their media decisions. This could be due to ‘fear of missing out on marketing opportunities’, argues Thinkbox CSO Elliott Millard.

Wanted: More difficult women

An industry debate which punishes women for calling out the damage toxic media narratives do to women and girls leaves us all falling short, writes Nicola Kemp.

ITV’s generative AI ads feature attracts 16 new-to-TV advertisers in debut year

The brands that have used the tool include a variety of small business types, from dentists and gardening companies to local councils. The campaigns have primarily run on ITVX.

The Media Leader

Opinion

Advertising’s next generation: Why we are creating the Future Leaders Network

The ad industry world of 2030: Three things we need to get right now

Potential is a better starting point than polish

Industry News

Upfronts 2026: Amazon, Disney, Mail Metro Media, Netflix kick off season of pomp and circumstance

Lots of bigs and lots of littles: Lumen finds cumulative attention drives brand outcomes

Are you in a promotion dependency spiral? 75% of marketers are unable to identify profitable promotions

Stagwell transforms Assembly into global agency Stagwell Media

Marketers should be tracking ad awareness, says Thinkbox study

TikTok leans into agentic commerce ‘to take the operational load out of making purchase decisions’

How to traverse a non-linear career in media – with TheZoo.London’s Rachel Forde and Marco Bertozzi

A day in the life of a media planner: Ocean Outdoor

Data Analysis

Cities: A moving target for planners

How spectacular advertising can hijack the algorithm

Has Origin failed?

Mapping the UK agency landscape

Data Snapshot

End of year cinematic treats

Podcast Ad Promo Position Plays A Part In Perception

Our next event

Upcoming Event

The Future of Media Manchester 2026