The Media Leader

News analysis, opinion and insight for media and advertising professionals

Why your media plan might look the same as everyone else’s

Consultant and former PHD global lead Matt Sanders argues that the holding group business model is ‘responsible for, or complicit in, much of what has gone wrong in advertising over the past two decades.’

Ozone moves into performance marketing with launch of Arc

The digital publishing ad platform has launched a new product aimed at letting advertisers optimise toward performance outcomes.

Do you eat a balanced media diet?

Mediaplus UK’s Hannah Moody calls for planners to consume a balanced media diet: embrace variety, stretch your palate, and don’t forget your greens.

Navigating the nascent world of GEO – with Havas’ Amy Banks

Havas Media Network’s head of SEO and GEO talks GEO strategies and who the early winners and losers are in the developing AI search market.

The Future of Media Manchester 2026: What to expect

This year’s theme centres around one question: What makes media work – and how can we make it work harder for business?

The Media Leader

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Opinion

Hadyn Millar

Craft Media is planning a get-together for like-minded media planners this autumn. Hadyn Millar explains the thinking behind it.

Genevieve Brown and Alan Morrissey

WPP offers a practical overview of how to turn data from a vast resource into a clear driver of growth.

Jasmine Dawson

The opportunity on YouTube is not simply to make big numbers bigger. It is to turn global attention into durable brand value, writes BBC Studios’ SVP of digital.

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

23 Jun 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

Why your media plan might look the same as everyone else’s

Consultant and former PHD global lead Matt Sanders argues that the holding group business model is ‘responsible for, or complicit in, much of what has gone wrong in advertising over the past two decades.’

Ozone moves into performance marketing with launch of Arc

The digital publishing ad platform has launched a new product aimed at letting advertisers optimise toward performance outcomes.

Do you eat a balanced media diet?

Mediaplus UK’s Hannah Moody calls for planners to consume a balanced media diet: embrace variety, stretch your palate, and don’t forget your greens.

Navigating the nascent world of GEO – with Havas’ Amy Banks

Havas Media Network’s head of SEO and GEO talks GEO strategies and who the early winners and losers are in the developing AI search market.

The Future of Media Manchester 2026: What to expect

This year’s theme centres around one question: What makes media work – and how can we make it work harder for business?

The Media Leader

Opinion

Media for planners who give a shit

It’s not how big your data is, it’s what you do with it

The year of YouTube: What happens when the side door becomes the front door?

Industry News

Piccadilly Lights format to be updated for first time in 10 years

The Media Leader announces judging panel for The Future 100 Club 2026

Mail Metro Media’s second annual Padelfest raises £100k for British Heart Foundation

‘We are platform agnostic’: The company betting on creators as media businesses

Ateme puts the spotlight on European tech sovereignty at IBC

Channel 4 to cut more than a quarter of workforce

Streamers promised simplified pipelines for interactive experiences like Multiview

Clearcast expands into digital advertising with AI pre-screening tools and services

Data Analysis

Has Origin failed?

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

Data Snapshot

Podcast Ad Promo Position Plays A Part In Perception

The ad-vantages of streaming

Our next event

Upcoming Event

The Future of Media Manchester 2026