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.

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

YouTube’s global managing director and head of creators speaks to host Jack Benjamin about why she believes YouTube is ‘absolutely’ TV, and how it advises brands work with increasingly professionalising creators on the platform.

What the CMA should actually be asking about Sky and ITV

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.

The audio industry’s favourite audio ads

As part of Audiotrack’s 10 year anniversary, we asked the audio industry for their favourite audio ads from the last decade.

News brands: The beating heart of the FIFA World Cup

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

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Opinion

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.

James Longhurst

The Media Leader asked industry leaders from The Guardian, Havas Media, Bountiful Cow, UM, Bauer, Time Out, and WPP what publishing will look like in five years.

Phil Rowley

Brands spend a lifetime working to make their brands distinctive, differentiated and memorable through colour, sound, and font. There’s no reason that wouldn’t extend to AI.

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.

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

YouTube’s global managing director and head of creators speaks to host Jack Benjamin about why she believes YouTube is ‘absolutely’ TV, and how it advises brands work with increasingly professionalising creators on the platform.

What the CMA should actually be asking about Sky and ITV

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.

The audio industry’s favourite audio ads

As part of Audiotrack’s 10 year anniversary, we asked the audio industry for their favourite audio ads from the last decade.

News brands: The beating heart of the FIFA World Cup

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

The Media Leader

Opinion

What does ITV selling to Sky mean for advertising

The publisher of the future becomes an IP company – The Future of Publishing

How do we design an AI that feels unmistakably like our brand?

Industry News

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

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