The Media Leader launches fifth Future 100 Club to spotlight next generation of media leaders

The Media Leader has launched the 2026 edition of The Future 100 Club, the only annual competition that celebrates media talent regardless of age, length of service or job title.

The competition opens today and closes on 25 September.

Final judging will take place on 9 October, with the Class of 2026 announced the following week.

A celebration event will take place in October, before the Class of 2026 makes its first official appearance at The Future of Media London conference in November.

The Future 100 Club was launched by Adwanted Content global CEO Steven Scaffardi in 2022 in response to a gap in the market. Unlike other industry talent programmes, The Future 100 Club has just one restriction on entry: C-suite executives are not eligible unless they are founders or CEOs of startups who are under the age of 35 and the business is no more than three years old.

Instead, nominations focus on how individuals are helping to move the industry forward, demonstrating clear evidence of future leadership. Using the Disruption, Inclusion, Courage and Excellence (DICE) framework, entrants are assessed on how they demonstrate each of these qualities.

“We are proud to be entering the fifth year of The Future 100 Club,” Scaffardi said. “Over the years we have celebrated, and gone on to work with, incredible talent from across our industry, many of whom have stepped into senior leadership roles at some of the biggest media businesses in the UK.

“Our goal is not only to recognise these individuals, but also to give them a platform to raise their profiles and be heard across our stages and within the pages of The Media Leader. I look forward to reading this year’s entries and getting to know the Class of 2026.”

Chris Dunne, head of marketing at Thinkbox and a Future 100 Class of 2022 inductee, said that being named in the inaugural list was “a huge turning point for me, opening up a wealth of opportunities and setting me on the path to the next level of my career.”

He continued: “That it asks candidates to demonstrate their achievements against core values of disruption, inclusion, courage and excellence opens up the field for talent from right across the media ecosystem and allows you to tell your story in your own way.”

Mercy Abel, marketer and early careers specialist, shared her own entry story. “I came across the Future 100 in 2023 when a person I respect in the industry, Dinah Williams, encouraged me to apply for it,” she said. “When completing the entry (yes, nominating yourself is a big flex), I realised that it gave me four new affirmations that would be important to remember for my career as a young leader: I am disruptive, I am innovative, I am courageous, I am excellent.

“So when I was awarded the number one spot (thanks to my name) on The Future 100 Club 2023, I felt fully and completely validated. Since then, there has been ample opportunity to attend events and also be a part of features in thought-provoking pieces. So, whether you need a reminder of some affirmations, time and space to reflect on your career or want to elevate your profile — definitely consider applying this year!”

James Longhurst, content director at The Media Leader, commented: “The media industry is good at celebrating people who have already arrived. The Future 100 Club is about the people who are still on the way up.

“When I first met members of the Future 100 Club, I was blown away by their talent, tenacity and thoughtfulness,” he continued. “The Media Leader exists to help people in media do their jobs better, and we are looking forward to making sure the Class of 2026 has a genuine editorial platform on The Media Leader, not just a mention on a list.”

“The media industry is good at celebrating people who have already arrived. The Future 100 Club is about the people who are still on the way up. The Media Leader exists to help people in media do their jobs better, and we are looking forward to making sure the Class of 2026 has a genuine editorial platform on The Media Leader, not just a mention on a list.”

Entries are now open at adwantedevents.com/thefuture100club2026.