The Media Leader

News analysis, opinion and insight for media and advertising professionals

Are premium creators the ‘new primetime’? With Arcade CEO Matt Elek

Arcade, the management firm behind The Sidemen, is repositioning itself as a creator-first entertainment company. Its CEO discusses how it wants to bring ‘the rigour of traditional media’ to the creator economy.

Brand security in the creator economy

Following several high-profile influencer backlashes, Billion Dollar Boy’s co-founder assesses what went wrong and how brands should balance protection with speed and scale.

You don’t fix potholes by asking motorists to drive more thoughtfully

Platforms can do without quality media, and no media plan will change that. The incentives have to, writes Omar Oakes.

Upfronts 2026: Channel 4 pitches ‘scale and substance’, JCDecaux launches ‘Real World Media’ positioning

The Media Leader will be publishing news, highlights, and takeaways from media owners’ upfront events this autumn. Among the announcements, Amazon has joined Barb’s CFlight, Mail Metro Media has unveiled new branding, and Netflix made its UK upfront debut.

How to improve the balance between ROI and profit in AV planning

Marketing is getting better at ROI and worse at growing profit. Bicycle Manchester’s founding partner asks, ‘Has AV planning become part of the problem?’

The Media Leader

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Opinion

Graham Page

Can broadcasters and publishers create content that engages audiences off-platform enough to build a direct relationship on owned platforms? Q5’s head of media asks.

Leia Reuter

Dentsu’s OOH managing partner offers ways for brands to use new insights into social out-of-home behaviour and the power of shared social moments.

Phil Duffield

A study by The Trade Desk and PA Consulting reveals how habit and risk aversion shape media planning, and why this has become a barrier to brand growth.

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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28 Jul 2026

Our next event

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

Are premium creators the ‘new primetime’? With Arcade CEO Matt Elek

Arcade, the management firm behind The Sidemen, is repositioning itself as a creator-first entertainment company. Its CEO discusses how it wants to bring ‘the rigour of traditional media’ to the creator economy.

Brand security in the creator economy

Following several high-profile influencer backlashes, Billion Dollar Boy’s co-founder assesses what went wrong and how brands should balance protection with speed and scale.

You don’t fix potholes by asking motorists to drive more thoughtfully

Platforms can do without quality media, and no media plan will change that. The incentives have to, writes Omar Oakes.

Upfronts 2026: Channel 4 pitches ‘scale and substance’, JCDecaux launches ‘Real World Media’ positioning

The Media Leader will be publishing news, highlights, and takeaways from media owners’ upfront events this autumn. Among the announcements, Amazon has joined Barb’s CFlight, Mail Metro Media has unveiled new branding, and Netflix made its UK upfront debut.

How to improve the balance between ROI and profit in AV planning

Marketing is getting better at ROI and worse at growing profit. Bicycle Manchester’s founding partner asks, ‘Has AV planning become part of the problem?’

The Media Leader

Opinion

The future of broadcasting and publishing won’t be won on someone else’s platform

Brands are best built in the company of others

Marketers trapped in the ‘Efficiency Doom Loop’: Autopilot on, growth off

Industry News

Jellyfish’s Seun Odeneye: ‘This place is like a sleeping giant’

Roku study shows bright future for home screen and interactive ads

Main media budget increases rise to highest level in nine years, Bellwether finds

‘We’re not just putting ads up in the street’: Outsmart on OOH’s public perception problem

Talking OOH with the northern powerhouse

How is Playout data verified? Mediasense explains its OOH audit process

Future 100 Club: Class of 2026 revealed

New York Times, Observer, Economist, ITV News among 40 new members to join SPUR Coalition

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