UK flag US flag FR flag BE flag

News analysis, opinion and insight for media and advertising professionals

Will ‘media planner’ still be a job title in 10 years? Nine specialists weigh in

Will ‘media planner’ still be a job title in 10 years? Nine specialists weigh in

We asked senior agency planners what the role needs to become, what should remain resolutely human, and what planners need to know now to stay ahead of the change. 
Leading Questions with Nadine Young – Spark Foundry

Leading Questions with Nadine Young – Spark Foundry

Spark Foundry’s CEO, Nadine Young is in the hot seat for our probing and quick-fire Leading Questions.
PSBs and streaming giants: apples and pears?

PSBs and streaming giants: apples and pears?

Barb data seen by The Media Leader shows streaming giants’ top UK titles are dwarfed by PSBs in total audience reach, but reach isn’t everything to TV planners.
What Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros Discovery means for global TV and cinema

What Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros Discovery means for global TV and cinema

Analysis: By settling with US state attorneys general, Paramount’s path is clear to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. Has it created a conglomerate to rival the tech and streaming giants? Or will a decline in media plurality and high debt weigh on the new company’s ambitions?
Culture is everywhere. So why is it rarely planned for?

Culture is everywhere. So why is it rarely planned for?

Adding ‘cultural relevance’ through news brands to media plans sees a bigger impact on sales. Newsworks’ insights director has the data to back it up.
Advertisement

The Media Leader

Sign up now

Receive weekly round-ups of the latest comment, opinion and media news, direct to your inbox.

Opinion

In the age of instant answers, planning and strategy matter more than ever

The future of media will be won by asking better questions, connecting evidence with human behaviour and having the conviction to make fewer, more meaningful decisions, writes the IPA’s Simon Frazier.

Context is key to media communication: ‘Where’ deserves to matter again

Trust should be planned deliberately. The question for planners is not simply whether an environment is trusted, but what kind of trust or association the brand can benefit from.

The art of timing, turning ‘cultural crescendos’ into measurable impact

Ardmore Group shares its Visit Pennsylvania FIFA World Cup case study on planning around ‘cultural crescendos’.

Industry News

Before the brief: Media owners on where planning conversations really need to happen

Before the brief: Media owners on where planning conversations really need to happen

Strategic thinking is biggest skills gap in marketing, WFA-Mediasense report finds

Strategic thinking is biggest skills gap in marketing, WFA-Mediasense report finds

Publicis won most new business in H1 2026, followed closely by Omnicom, WPP

Publicis won most new business in H1 2026, followed closely by Omnicom, WPP

Planning and strategy roles have increased 18.5% at media agencies since 2024

Planning and strategy roles have increased 18.5% at media agencies since 2024

Your guide to anti-ultra-processed planning – with Craft Media’s Sally Weavers and Jen Jones

Your guide to anti-ultra-processed planning – with Craft Media’s Sally Weavers and Jen Jones

News UK’s Octave launches direct sales of audio ads on YouTube

News UK’s Octave launches direct sales of audio ads on YouTube

Why brands looking for growth can’t afford to miss Tuning In 2026

Why brands looking for growth can’t afford to miss Tuning In 2026

Reach to cut 13% of commercial roles as part of wider restructure

Reach to cut 13% of commercial roles as part of wider restructure

Data Analysis

How spectacular advertising can hijack the algorithm

How spectacular advertising can hijack the algorithm

Has Origin failed?

Has Origin failed?

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

Data Snapshot

Data-led charts from across the UK media landscape

Mediatel Connected logo

Find out more about the UK's most comprehensive aggregator of media data.

Arrange a demo

End of year cinematic treats

22 Sep 2026

Podcast Ad Promo Position Plays A Part In Perception

28 Jul 2026

Our next event

Mediatel Events Next Event Logo

Upcoming Event

The Future of Media Manchester 2026

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

More on Events