Dan Calladine, Head of Media Futures at Dentsu International, shares his expertise on the anticipated media trends for 2025. He discusses AI's transformative impact, emphasizing the importance of storytelling amid algorithmic changes. The conversation delves into marketing strategies adapted for algorithm-driven content, and highlights the pressing issue of media access disparities worldwide. Calladine also explores the influence of evolving platforms and the potential for AI to enhance audience engagement, painting a vivid picture of the future landscape.
AI's evolution will significantly impact media processes by enhancing creativity and efficiency through new tools and strategies.
Authentic storytelling is essential for brands to engage audiences effectively in an increasingly algorithm-driven content landscape.
The media landscape may face uneven distribution of technology and content, necessitating a deep understanding of audience contexts for effective campaigns.
Deep dives
The Year of Impact
The overarching theme of the media trends study is that 2025 will be a pivotal year for media, marked by significant advancements in technology and consumer behavior. This year is being dubbed the 'Year of Impact' due to the convergence of various trends, particularly the rise of AI and algorithm-driven content curation. As media becomes increasingly personalized through algorithms, marketers are urged to adapt to these changes to enhance effectiveness and reach. Understanding the implications of these algorithmic influences will be crucial for developing successful marketing strategies moving forward.
AI and Its Tangible Effects
AI's evolution is highlighted as a key trend, transitioning from predictions to actual impacts in media and marketing. The introduction of new tools, such as the augmented media toolkit, showcases how AI can enhance media processes, allowing for rapid onboarding and greater creativity. This technology provides both opportunities for established practices and facilitates experimentation with innovative strategies. While significant progress has been made, experts emphasize that the industry remains in its early stages, with many advancements still on the horizon.
The Power of Storytelling
Storytelling has become increasingly vital in today's algorithmic era, as content is often shaped by audience preferences rather than creative intent. Brands must find ways to create compelling narratives that resonate beyond their immediate target audience to break through algorithmic filter bubbles. Collaborations with content creators and leveraging niche communities can amplify brand stories and widen reach. By focusing on authentic storytelling, marketers are better positioned to engage audiences across various platforms that prioritize algorithmically driven content.
The Quest for Quality
A growing emphasis on quality within the media supply chain signals a notable trend as clients seek higher-quality placements and content. Enhanced measurement capabilities allow brands to gauge effectiveness more accurately, linking quality media to metrics such as attention and brand uplift. Furthermore, the retail media landscape is expanding rapidly, driven by the rich data available from platforms like Amazon that enhance targeting precision. This focus on quality, paired with evolving retail media opportunities, suggests brands should prioritize high-quality engagements to maximize their advertising impact.
Uneven Distribution of Access
The media landscape is predicted to shift back toward uneven distribution, meaning access to technology and content will become increasingly disparate. Factors such as device quality and geographical considerations will impact the tools and content users can access, highlighting the necessity for brands to understand their audiences deeply. Rising paywalls for formerly free content, including news and podcasts, may restrict access for many, reversing the democratization of media consumption seen in recent years. Consequently, a nuanced approach that considers local contexts and technological limitations will be essential for effective global campaigns.
WARC's Alex Brownsell talks to dentsu’s Dan Calladine, head of media futures, about media trends in 2025. Discussing AI's actual impact, the role of storytelling in the algorithmic era, the quest for quality in media buying, and how the world may become more unevenly distributed.
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