The Media Leader

News analysis, opinion and insight for media and advertising professionals

Five items in Andy Burnham’s media in-tray

As Burnham becomes PM he inherits a UK media industry in flux, simultaneously challenged and bolstered by American tech giants that have grown to dominate British advertising expenditure.

Proprietary media isn’t the problem. Undisclosed media is

What kind of market do we want? One where opacity props up margins and accelerates short-termism, or one where transparent economics, auditable outcomes and open comparability reward what actually sustains quality media?

Who owns GEO? That’s the wrong question

The IAB UK’s chief strategy officer examines the role each marketing and advertising discipline can play in the GEO land grab.

Campaign success depends on cultural relevance, say Media Business Course speakers

The Media Business Course is run by the Advertising Association and took place in Eastbourne on 7-10 July.

Week in focus: The Future of Publishing recap

Coverage included insights from industry leaders about the threat of AI, the importance of becoming a regular destination, and balancing written and audio-visual content production to appeal to audiences of all sizes.

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Opinion

Rupert Smith

News brands have done England proud with their FIFA World Cup coverage. Newsworks’ Rupert Smith takes a look at the highlights.

Omar Oakes

The Sky-ITV merger review isn’t really a competition question. It’s a test of whether Britain’s regulator can build conditions that work.

Alex Davies

The sale of ITV Media & Entertainment to Sky could bring the independent broadcaster into an existing, more connected advertiser ecosystem, writes Goodstuff’s head of broadcast.

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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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

Five items in Andy Burnham’s media in-tray

As Burnham becomes PM he inherits a UK media industry in flux, simultaneously challenged and bolstered by American tech giants that have grown to dominate British advertising expenditure.

Proprietary media isn’t the problem. Undisclosed media is

What kind of market do we want? One where opacity props up margins and accelerates short-termism, or one where transparent economics, auditable outcomes and open comparability reward what actually sustains quality media?

Who owns GEO? That’s the wrong question

The IAB UK’s chief strategy officer examines the role each marketing and advertising discipline can play in the GEO land grab.

Campaign success depends on cultural relevance, say Media Business Course speakers

The Media Business Course is run by the Advertising Association and took place in Eastbourne on 7-10 July.

Week in focus: The Future of Publishing recap

Coverage included insights from industry leaders about the threat of AI, the importance of becoming a regular destination, and balancing written and audio-visual content production to appeal to audiences of all sizes.

The Media Leader

Opinion

News brands: The beating heart of the FIFA World Cup

What the CMA should actually be asking about Sky and ITV

What does ITV selling to Sky mean for advertising

Industry News

Can YouTube be both TV and a ‘home base’ for the creator economy? With MD Kim Larson

Immediate Media: Joyful mindsets linked to higher receptivity to brands

Zee Entertainment’s Parul Goel: ‘The aim is to have Zee in every household’

Beehiiv launches programmatic advertising, community-building features

Rita Ferro on Disney’s advertising strategy and competing with Big Tech

Publisher case study: The stop-motion video that launched the UK’s best-selling electric vehicle

How The Sun is developing its video strategy – with commercial revenue director Owen Griffiths

How publishers are fighting to protect their copyright from AI companies

Data Analysis

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

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

Data Snapshot

The ad-vantages of streaming

World Cup Wonders

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The Future of Media Manchester 2026