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News analysis, opinion and insight for media and advertising professionals

‘Right diagnosis, wrong prescription’? Adland torn as Starmer announces under-16s social media ban

‘Right diagnosis, wrong prescription’? Adland torn as Starmer announces under-16s social media ban

Debate for and against a social media ban has been hotly contested for months even among adland’s most vociferous online safety advocates. Downstream effects on platforms, broadcasters and advertisers abound.
Why brands need less channel planning and more ecosystem design — with Arena Media’s Hamid Habib

Why brands need less channel planning and more ecosystem design — with Arena Media’s Hamid Habib

Arena Media’s managing director discusses what it means to work for a ‘cultural media agency’, why brands are underinvesting in gaming, and how AI is changing the role agencies play for their clients.
It’s ok that Cannes Lions is a festival. But it has become a festival of exceptions

It’s ok that Cannes Lions is a festival. But it has become a festival of exceptions

Please go to the Palais and look at the actual work. You will, I guarantee, feel something you couldn’t name. Some of it will remind you why you got into this industry, writes Omar Oakes.
‘This is not good enough’: The business case for online safety

‘This is not good enough’: The business case for online safety

A panel of regulators, editors, and activists discussed online safety and the regulation of online platforms at an Advertising: Who Cares? event in London last week.

The Brief – Monday 15th June: Fox buys Roku, ITV’s highest peak audience of the year, Spotify defines a podcast ‘play’

The Brief – Monday 15th June: Fox buys Roku, ITV’s highest peak audience of the year, Spotify defines a podcast ‘play’

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Opinion

Mapping the UK agency landscape

The UK is world-class at agencies. So why have we known so little about them? Tom Salmon shares the findings from the Atlas 2026 report.

Leading Questions with Rob Linton – MiQ

MiQ’s chief revenue officer for the UK, Rob Linton, is in the hot seat for our probing and quick-fire Leading Questions.

Charlie Hugill: Why the future of media is real, human and experiential

As brands grapple with declining trust, Havas Play’s chief client officer talks about the rise of experiential, the importance of authenticity and why events are increasingly becoming the engine of integrated campaigns.

Industry News

News UK’s Octave extends audio reach with new third party inventory

News UK’s Octave extends audio reach with new third party inventory

The Brief – Friday 12 June: ITV’s ‘six-week Super Bowl’, MiQ expands Sigma, Spotify removes thousands of phony podcasts

The Brief – Friday 12 June: ITV’s ‘six-week Super Bowl’, MiQ expands Sigma, Spotify removes thousands of phony podcasts

Global launches self-service platform to book audio and OOH media

Global launches self-service platform to book audio and OOH media

Strait of Hormuz disruption threatens $94bn of global ad investment over next 18 months

Strait of Hormuz disruption threatens $94bn of global ad investment over next 18 months

The Brief – Thursday 11 June: Samsung Ads launches programmatic home screen inventory, Capital Breakfast’s new sponsor and more

The Brief – Thursday 11 June: Samsung Ads launches programmatic home screen inventory, Capital Breakfast’s new sponsor and more

‘The division between church and state isn’t sustainable’: Journalists weigh-up life as a creator

‘The division between church and state isn’t sustainable’: Journalists weigh-up life as a creator

First global measure of pDOOH spend finds $1.4bn revenue generated in 2025

First global measure of pDOOH spend finds $1.4bn revenue generated in 2025

The Brief – Wednesday 10th June: Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, ITV set for World Cup ad record, Amazon Ads launches Ads Agent AI assistant

The Brief – Wednesday 10th June: Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, ITV set for World Cup ad record, Amazon Ads launches Ads Agent AI assistant

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

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Digital listening maintains its pull

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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.
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