The Media Leader

News analysis, opinion and insight for media and advertising professionals

Rinse and repeat? How the new agency business model will accelerate client in-housing

If the legacy extractive media agency business model is dying despite the life-support system of non-transparent revenues, what happens next? asks Nick Manning.

If it looks like a duck: Why YouTube should never be planned and bought as TV

Paul Evans analyses the gap between YouTube’s claim and conduct.

AI bots now account for 13% of all web traffic

Websites have seen an increase of more than 60% in visits from AI harvesting bots in the last 12 months, according to new data from 51Degrees.

How SPUR is building an economic model for publishers – with technical lead Alex Springer

SPUR’s technical lead discusses how the initiative’s telemetry standard will help publishers create a new marketplace to receive fair value from AI companies.

A false choice: Why linear and broadcaster streaming are the drivers of TV’s profit

The most effective TV strategies today harness the strengths of both linear and BVOD, writes Channel 4’s head of sales.

The Media Leader

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Opinion

Nicola Kemp

The tragic death of Professor Jadon Arday underlines the human cost of manufactured outrage, yet our national bloodsport continues with neither reflection nor remorse, writes Nicola Kemp.

Omar Oakes

The real damage from Google’s ad monopoly isn’t the 20% it takes. It’s a market that can no longer tell good inventory from bad and prices them almost the same.

Lianre Robinson

Extreme heat is not experienced equally, and preparing for 2027 means recognising the particular impact rising temperatures can have on women, writes Lianre Robinson.

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

Rinse and repeat? How the new agency business model will accelerate client in-housing

If the legacy extractive media agency business model is dying despite the life-support system of non-transparent revenues, what happens next? asks Nick Manning.

If it looks like a duck: Why YouTube should never be planned and bought as TV

Paul Evans analyses the gap between YouTube’s claim and conduct.

AI bots now account for 13% of all web traffic

Websites have seen an increase of more than 60% in visits from AI harvesting bots in the last 12 months, according to new data from 51Degrees.

How SPUR is building an economic model for publishers – with technical lead Alex Springer

SPUR’s technical lead discusses how the initiative’s telemetry standard will help publishers create a new marketplace to receive fair value from AI companies.

A false choice: Why linear and broadcaster streaming are the drivers of TV’s profit

The most effective TV strategies today harness the strengths of both linear and BVOD, writes Channel 4’s head of sales.

The Media Leader

Opinion

Why does the media still want to punish Meghan Markle?

Google isn’t all-powerful, but it knows how to turn media into water

Want to be the coolest place to work? Think literally if you want to keep your female contingent

Industry News

August box office grows 67% to cap off highest-grossing summer on record

UK OOH reports double-digit revenue growth for second consecutive quarter

Total TV drives 54% share of advertising profit despite increased fragmentation

Broadcasters and device makers invited to witness production-ready DVB-I client demos

IBC showcases AI-enabled localisation and how it can grow TV audiences

Havas bets on integration as it strengthens Village model under Paddy Affleck

UX modes mean Allente can serve linear-first and VOD-first viewers without compromises

Roku brings its Video-on-Demand Evolution Study to the UK

Data Analysis

Has Origin failed?

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

Data Snapshot

Podcast Ad Promo Position Plays A Part In Perception

The ad-vantages of streaming

Our next event

Upcoming Event

The Future of Media Manchester 2026