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The Future of Brands 2026 – Live coverage

The Future of Brands 2026 – Live coverage

Live coverage from The Media Leader team from the Future of Brands 2026

UN and CAN warn of AI-driven global information integrity crisis

UN and CAN warn of AI-driven global information integrity crisis

The United Nations and Conscious Advertising Network are appealing to advertisers to use their leverage as commercial partners to push tech companies for greater transparency and to tackle fraud and disinformation.
Trouble from nowhere: Sort out news and current affairs

Trouble from nowhere: Sort out news and current affairs

Raymond Snoddy pens a letter to Matt Brittin, the first BBC director-general in 80 years with no experience of programme-making, advising that he’s going to need all the help he can get.
Media Planning Group aims to advance communications planning

Media Planning Group aims to advance communications planning

Not-for-profit body, the Media Planning Group (MPG) launches today in partnership with the Account Planning Group. IMA’s director of media explains the initiative’s rationale. 
Future of Brands 2026: What to expect

Future of Brands 2026: What to expect

This year’s theme centres around one question: What becomes possible when exceptional people have exceptional tools?
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Opinion

In a vertical world. Are we losing the ‘art of the horizontal’? 

We need to rediscover an ability to think plurally, to think multiple-disciplined, to think ‘horizontal first’ and to champion ‘horizontal mavericks’, writes OMD’s Clare Peters. 

Events aren’t a moment; they’re a media channel

Investing in events doesn’t mean inventing a whole new set of metrics, tactics and thought processes. Yes, there are nuances. But ultimately, events are a performance channel, says Cvent’s European marketing director. 

The attention shift reshaping publishing and advertising

Video, first-party data, and experiential are increasingly overlapping. Consumers move between formats without paying much attention to their boundaries, writes Reach’s strategy director. 

Industry News

The Brief – Wednesday 29 April: WPP and Spotify earnings, OpenAI ‘misses targets’, Under-16 social media restrictions and more

The Brief – Wednesday 29 April: WPP and Spotify earnings, OpenAI ‘misses targets’, Under-16 social media restrictions and more

The Brief – Tuesday 28 April: WHCD, page views at regionals decline, C4 Black in Business and more

The Brief – Tuesday 28 April: WHCD, page views at regionals decline, C4 Black in Business and more

Stagwell aims to increase working media with FreeWheel-powered marketplace

Stagwell aims to increase working media with FreeWheel-powered marketplace

Every £ Twice: How much are brands wasting on duplicated reach?

Every £ Twice: How much are brands wasting on duplicated reach?

The Brief – Monday 27 April: Meta layoffs, Axel Springer’s lack of due diligence and more

The Brief – Monday 27 April: Meta layoffs, Axel Springer’s lack of due diligence and more

What next after the social media addiction trial? With ScrollAware’s Jess Butcher

What next after the social media addiction trial? With ScrollAware’s Jess Butcher

The Media Leader partners Advertising Association’s MBC programme

The Media Leader partners Advertising Association’s MBC programme

Ocean Outdoor UK launches immersive advertising experience

Ocean Outdoor UK launches immersive advertising experience

Data Analysis

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

The measurement debate TV really needs to have

The measurement debate TV really needs to have

Rajar Q4 2025: Heart Breakfast remains top commercial show after reporting strong growth

Rajar Q4 2025: Heart Breakfast remains top commercial show after reporting strong growth

Data Snapshot

Data-led charts from across the UK media landscape

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The Future of Brands

The Future of Brands is the UK's leading event dedicated to connecting and inspiring brand marketers about the future of media and advertising. Curated with our community of 700+ brand marketers in mind, you can expect some of the smartest minds behind the world's leading brands to explore the latest in media and advertising. In 2026 we'll shine a light on what’s possible when human creativity and technologies converge and help you to prove that marketing is an investment, not a cost. From the impact of AI to media effectiveness, measurement and big idea creativity, The Future of Brands is packed with insights and case studies that will transform the way you think about media and advertising. Secure your brand’s growth at The Future of Brands 2026.
29 April 2026

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