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News analysis, opinion and insight for media and advertising professionals

UK adspend increased 6.4% in 2025 as AA/Warc updates data presentation

UK adspend increased 6.4% in 2025 as AA/Warc updates data presentation

Following consultation with a forum of industry leaders AA/Warc has made three changes to its reporting practice as total adspend continues to grow.
Believe It or Not Ep. 3: Is there still room for human creativity in the AI era?

Believe It or Not Ep. 3: Is there still room for human creativity in the AI era?

Omar Oakes and Hamish Nicklin debate for and against the prompt: “AI means you don’t need human creativity in ads anymore. You come to a media owner or platform, you tell them your objective, connect your bank account, and everything is done for you.”
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

Audio doesn’t have a belief problem. It has a growth opportunity

Audio doesn’t have a belief problem. It has a growth opportunity

96% of advertisers are backing audio, now investment needs to follow, writes the president of Bauer Media Audio.
SXSW 2026: Rediscovering conviction and creativity in the age of AI

SXSW 2026: Rediscovering conviction and creativity in the age of AI

The IPA’s Simon Frazier reflects on his visit to SXSW and how AI is challenging what it means to be human. 
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Opinion

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. 

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.

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. 

Industry News

The Brief – Thursday 30 April: Omnicom earnings, Meta fails to prevent under-13s, US FCC goes after ABC

The Brief – Thursday 30 April: Omnicom earnings, Meta fails to prevent under-13s, US FCC goes after ABC

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

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

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

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

Future of Brands 2026: What to expect

Future of Brands 2026: What to expect

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

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 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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