Uncensored CMO 70 Years of TV Advertising - why it works & the best ads of all time - Carolyn McCall, ITV
Oct 1, 2025
Dame Carolyn McCall, CEO of ITV and President of The Marketing Society, dives into the fascinating world of TV advertising, celebrating its 70-year legacy. She shares why TV remains a robust advertising medium, especially for Gen Z. Carolyn discusses the emotional weight of impactful ads, like drink-driving campaigns, and the humorous Cadbury Gorilla. She also highlights innovative approaches like ITVX and the role of SMEs in modern advertising. Tune in for insights on how advertising shapes culture and the evolving future of TV!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Put Marketers At The Table
- Get marketers into strategic conversations and onto company boards because they understand consumers and product.
- Use the Marketing Society to gain skills, networks and confidence to move into board roles.
Learn By Listening In Person
- Carolyn recommends CEOs get out of the office and listen across the business instead of sitting through presentations.
- She used frontline conversations to learn fast and then act quickly after a few months.
Listen Then Act Quickly
- When you become CEO, listen widely around the organisation for a few months before acting.
- Then act quickly once you understand the core issues.