UK flag US flag FR flag BE flag

News analysis, opinion and insight for media and advertising professionals

UK adspend rose 9.3% in Q1 2026 driven by double-digit increases in social media, retail media and OOH

UK adspend rose 9.3% in Q1 2026 driven by double-digit increases in social media, retail media and OOH

The latest AA/Warc figures show growth in Q1 was once again largely driven by digital channels, with the biggest growers including social media (+17.7%), retail media (+17.9%), and OOH (+15%).
X settles WFA lawsuit, will ‘reset’ relationship on condition WFA will not ‘form or restart GARM or a similar initiative’

X settles WFA lawsuit, will ‘reset’ relationship on condition WFA will not ‘form or restart GARM or a similar initiative’

The organisations said in a joint statement they are “fully aligned in the view that brands, platforms and consumers will all benefit from brand-safety innovation.”
Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans

Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans

The IPA’s senior insight analyst, Molly Bruce, stands in for Simon Frazier’s regular column again for this month to explore the importance of flexibility in a world where things rarely go to plan.
Educating brands and agencies will be key to unlocking pDOOH growth, say IAB UK panellists

Educating brands and agencies will be key to unlocking pDOOH growth, say IAB UK panellists

Speaking at an IAB UK event on 28 July, the panellists said that brands and agencies need to be upskilled on programmatic for the channel to continue to grow.

The heat is on for the press to start taking climate change seriously

The heat is on for the press to start taking climate change seriously

Less-than-perfect press performances of late fade into nothingness compared with the greatest failure of the media in any age: the failure to communicate the existential threat of climate change.
Advertisement

The Media Leader

Sign up now

Receive weekly round-ups of the latest comment, opinion and media news, direct to your inbox.

Opinion

Open goals: how The Guardian brought the World Cup to life

After 308 goals, 15 red cards and 208 hydration breaks, the final whistle has blown on FIFA’s 2026 World Cup. So with Spain taking gold from Messi’s Argentina in extra time, what did The Guardian’s ad team learn, asks Imogen Fox.

Turning coverage into conversation: The case for talkability

Brands that plan for conversation alongside coverage will be better positioned to convert visibility into relevance, writes SuperAwesome’s Sam Clough. 

Why charities don’t shy away from advertising next to news

Brand suitability has evolved, but more progress is unlikely to come from adding more exclusions. It will come from understanding content more precisely and giving advertisers greater confidence to judge relevance on its own merits.

Industry News

Digital and programmatic drives strong performance for JCDecaux in H1

Digital and programmatic drives strong performance for JCDecaux in H1

How ZDF Studios is building reach and fandom, from FAST to YouTube

How ZDF Studios is building reach and fandom, from FAST to YouTube

User data convinces 3SS that in-car TV screens can displace phones for streaming

User data convinces 3SS that in-car TV screens can displace phones for streaming

Minimising the costs of AI-powered content discovery

Minimising the costs of AI-powered content discovery

What’s next for podcasting? Five industry leaders weigh in on AI and measurement

What’s next for podcasting? Five industry leaders weigh in on AI and measurement

‘The first tremors in an earthquake’: Digital publisher revenues decline 4.6% amid falling referral traffic

‘The first tremors in an earthquake’: Digital publisher revenues decline 4.6% amid falling referral traffic

How Netflix’s ads business is becoming a meaningful growth driver – with EMEA ads VP Damien Bernet

How Netflix’s ads business is becoming a meaningful growth driver – with EMEA ads VP Damien Bernet

Podcast measurement proposal claims standardisation could unlock $1bn in ad spend

Podcast measurement proposal claims standardisation could unlock $1bn in ad spend

Data Analysis

Mapping the UK agency landscape

Mapping the UK agency landscape

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

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

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

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

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

Data Snapshot

Data-led charts from across the UK media landscape

Mediatel Connected logo

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

Arrange a demo

Podcast Ad Promo Position Plays A Part In Perception

28 Jul 2026

The ad-vantages of streaming

23 Jun 2026

Our next event

Mediatel Events Next Event Logo

Upcoming Event

The Future of Media Manchester 2026

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

More on Events