On the surface, the global ad industry appears to be in rude health. GroupM upwardly revised its This Year Next Year global ad revenue forecast for 2024 and expects it to surpass $1tn for the first time – and that’s excluding US political advertising, which itself totalled $15.1bn.In the UK, despite uncertainty regarding the country's political and economic future, the ad market grew 8.3%, with further 7% growth now expected for 2025.But, of course, there are numerous unpredictabilities next year, such as around how a new Donald Trump administration could impact global trade or pursue Big Tech regulation. Meanwhile, most ad growth is being driven by just five companies: Google, Meta, Amazon, ByteDance and Alibaba — suggesting a consolidation of ad revenue into fewer, bigger hands.Kate Scott-Dawkins is GroupM's global president of business intelligence and author of the This Year Next Year report.In conversation with Jack Benjamin, Scott-Dawkins explained that advertisers have grown accustomed to managing uncertainty over the past five years and that growth drivers such as retail media and streaming TV, as well as an influx of new AI-based startups, are likely to provide a boost to future ad spending."The uncertainty that advertisers are dealing with has existed and will continue to exist into next year," she said. "The advertising economy is going to continue despite that."Scott-Dawkins will be presenting further details from This Year Next Year at The Media Leader's Future of TV Advertising Global conference in London next week.Highlights:2:24: Toplines: positive growth despite uncertainty8:13: Big Tech's domination of ad revenue growth – is it healthy?12:26: Why the UK is outperforming expectations16:43: Volatility in the Chinese market20:26: Opportunities and knock-on effects as sport becomes more important for TV23:36: The importance of supporting publishing as it loses market share27:02: Tech brands to watch as they spend on marketing to promote AIRelated articles:Global ad industry to grow 9.5% this year as revenue flows to tech giantsOOH tops £1bn in ad revenue in 2024 so farUK TV exports fall 2% despite strong US demandExplained: how we should treat GroupM, IPG and Zenith adspend forecasts---Thanks to our production partners Trisonic for editing this episode.--> Discover how Trisonic can elevate your brand and expand your business by connecting with your ideal audienceVisit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderYouTube: The Media Leader

2024 is winding down and for their last weekly news podcast of the year, host Jack Benjamin and editor-in-chief Omar Oakes sat down to look back on the past year in media and advertising.It was a year in which digital giants continued to grow, retail media surged, OOH prospered and TV streaming services became largely profitable. It was also a year that saw Big Tech facing renewed antitrust efforts, changes to Google and Meta's algorithms punishing online publishers and the industry reckoning with what a new AI-led era could look like.The pair not only consider what 2024 meant for the wider media ecosystem, but also look ahead to the uncertainties to come in 2025.Highlights:2:56: What was the big trend in 2024? A year of two halves and political uncertainty11:26: Tech regulation and profitable streaming services19:06: Traditional media: OOH sees success; journalism and publishing challenged by headwinds35:22: AI uses are broadening and changing working practice43:41: The past week in news: Sky upfronts, Barb and Origin, Ofcom's BBC report and Guardian/Observer strikesRelated articles:Sky failed our high standards, ads chief tells industry at upfrontsIpsos eyes UK TV measurement space as it plots Kantar Media acquisitionPlan tabled for Barb to join Origin in hybrid reporting modelOOH tops £1bn in ad revenue in 2024 so farPublishers say Google’s AI Overviews have reduced traffic potential---Visit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderYouTube: The Media Leader

Serial agency founder and digital media pioneer Pete Robins talks to editor-in-chief Omar Oakes about why he believes there's never been a better time to plan media.Robins is set to launch his fifth media agency, Project5 – named after his belief that the industry has entered "the fifth age of media".Four-fifths of all media is delivered by a form of technology shaped by some sort of data, Robins explains. While the principal goals of media have not changed, the possibilities to plan media have now transformed significantly.Related articles:Digital pioneer Pete Robins launches fifth media agency---Thanks to our production partners Trisonic for editing this episode.--> Discover how Trisonic can elevate your brand and expand your business by connecting with your ideal audience 

Sarah Prentice, head of media strategy and planning at Heineken UK, Rachel Coffey, chief strategy officer at Initiative UK, and Peter Rowe, head of media at NatWest Group, answer audience questions on planning.During the discussion, the trio debate what truly drives consideration, the role of AI in strategic thinking, how diversity, equity and inclusion informs their work in a practical sense and so much more.In particular, they also respond to one of the hot questions this year: how much is too much when it comes to spending on social media, in light of EssenceMediacom's eye-catching research that suggests brands could be spending three times too much in social.The panel was recorded at The Future of Media London in October and was chaired by Jack Benjamin.Highlights:1:02: Considering consideration4:00: Are we spending too much on social and where to reapportion that budget6:50: What should technology stay out of the way from? 9:15: How to position DEI in planning and what that means within the wider business13:42: Balancing wider concerns about social media use with brand spend on these platforms18:15: The role of sustainability initiatives in planning22:50: Breaking down specialism "silos"Related articles:Brands could be spending three times too much on social. You read that right100 years of doing it wrong — and how to do it rightAMA: Ask media experts anything!---Visit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderYouTube: The Media Leader

Are managers well-equipped to wear all the different hats we ask of them in today’s workplace?It’s a question worth considering in an era when, according to Nabs’ All Ears study, managers are increasingly being hired younger, report being undertrained and have become more responsible for the mental health of their team.Sue Todd is the CEO of Nabs, the media and advertising industry charity focused on workplace wellness.After joining The Media Leader Podcast last year to discuss concerns around stress and burnout, especially relating to the pitch process, Todd returns to chat about a new initiative launched by Nabs, Managers' Mindsets, that aims to offer mental health training to managers.Todd discussed the impetus for the initiative and considered whether managers are being set up for success given what appears to be a chronic lack of time and resource available to media industry employees.Highlights:1:26: Why are managers undertrained and being asked to take on more responsibility?7:55: Impacts of managers skewing younger11:20: Structure of Nabs' Managers' Mindsets training programme21:50: Does it all come down to money?29:01: Advice to younger managersRelated articles:Nabs launches manager wellness training3 ways to create future-ready leadersThird ad industry All In Census to launch in March ---Thanks to our production partners Trisonic for editing this episode.--> Discover how Trisonic can elevate your brand and expand your business by connecting with your ideal audienceVisit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderYouTube: The Media Leader

Radio production has changed a lot since Ken Bruce began presenting in 1977. And yet, when it comes to the basics of good radio – a close, one-to-one relationship with the audience – things haven't changed much at all.“For years, people have been saying to me, ‘Radio’s dead, dying. It’s finished,'" said Bruce. "Even in the 70s, they were saying that to me. And I thought, well, no – I don’t believe it is. Because there’s a person there. It’s a human interaction. And while that remains, radio will always have some kind of life.”Alongside Hits Radio presenter Fleur East, the Greatest Hits Radio presenter chatted with Bauer Media director of audio Gary Stein at The Future of Media London in October about the day-to-day challenges and excitements of producing a contemporary radio show.The pair reflected on the continued success of radio, even in an era marked by declines in audience for other traditional media channels. They also touched on career highlights and gave advice to audio industry professionals.Highlights:2:06: What goes into the day-to-day production of live radio?9:42: Technological advancement and how radio has changed since Bruce first started presenting14:47: Lessons for leaders and interviewers18:50: Favourite guests, fan interactions and career highlightsRelated articles:Ken Bruce surpasses 4m listeners on Greatest Hits Radio while Radio 2 declinesBauer commercial chief urges action over social media and mental health ‘deterioration’Bauer’s Rayo app to offer branded content ‘in due course’What next for Bauer and radio? Interview w/ Simon Myciunka, CEO of Bauer Media Audio UKRajar Q3 2024: Top takeaways

Patrick 'Paddy' Affleck aims to 'walk the walk when it comes to inclusion and courage in particular, his personal story is quite different from your average media agency CEO. That why he known as someone who likes to challenge conventional ways of thinking about this business.Affleck speaks to Omar Oakes about his personal journey from growing up on a commune in Devon and how it has shaped his attitude to leadership and mental-health challenges at work. His philosophy emphasies progressiveness, adaptability, and ethical practices and he highlights Havas' initiatives like "Havas Minds" and "Havas More" to support mental health and work-life balance.He also addresses the industry's evolving role, stressing the importance of combining human creativity with AI for effective client solutions. Affleck also touches on Havas' strategic investments in data, technology, and talent to enhance client relationships and sustainability efforts, such as their work with Shell which has attracted criticism.Affleck joined Havas Media Group as its UK CEO in July 2020 from Dentsu, where he spent 12 years, and has over 20 years' experience in the industry spanning integrated planning, digital strategy and innovation and activation. He was a Grand-Prix winner (agency leader of the year) in The Media Leader Awards 2024.Highlights:3:08: How Paddy's background shaped his leadership qualities.19:59: The importance of adaptability for agencies.23:45: How can the industry improve mental health practices?31:09: What makes Havas Media distinct from its competitors?34:53: The future of media agencies — staying relevant in an era of AI developmentRelated articles:Vivendi confirms plans to list Canal+ and HavasHavas Media expands Boost initiative to support north westPodcast: Yannick Bolloré on why Vivendi wants to create 4 ‘cousin companies’---Thanks to our production partners Trisonic for editing this episode.--> Discover how Trisonic can elevate your brand and expand your business by connecting with your ideal audienceVisit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderYouTube: The Media Leader

The newly promoted Jack Benjamin and outgoing editor-in-chief Omar Oakes discuss a flurry of updates about streaming service user numbers and how their "premium versus ad" strategies are evolving.They also discuss MediaSense’s latest acquisition, Spotify’s latest earnings, a Newsworks study on youth news consumption habits and more. Highlights:01:00: Takeaways from Barb's Establishment Survey: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and Paramount+18:15: Why media consultancy MediaSense has acquired R320:30: Young people actually do consume news, after all – what is the industry getting wrong?23:10: Spotify earnings: Why profits have surged despite an advertising slowdown28:00: A dark festive period ahead for ITV?Related articles:Total UK SVOD subs stay flat as ad tier users grow at paceMediaSense buys R3 as consultancy expands to US and AsiaHow Spotify delivered a profitable combo despite advertising slowdownITV expects 6-7% ad revenue decline in golden quarter---Visit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderYouTube: The Media Leader

Origin, the world-first cross-media measurement platform led by Isba, went live in September through the launch of beta trials with 35 major UK advertisers.While advertisers in the beta trials have signalled their excitement, Origin has been received with a more tepid response by some stakeholders, particularly in TV broadcasting and at some agencies, over its inclusion of non-Media Rating Council-standard viewability measures.Last month, The Media Leader editor-in-chief Omar Oakes sat down with Isba director-general Phil Smith at The Future of Media London conference to ask him tough questions about the future of Origin, concerns around measurement and what advertisers are making of the beta trials so far.Smith explained: "[Critics] come from a background which is about currency measurement, where historically the real creed has been apples with apples. [They] come to this with a different set of views from those that are really hell-bent on evaluation, where what they're really looking for is richness in the data and granularity."He added: "Change is never easy."Highlights2:11: What has been learned from the beta phase so far?4:08: Why Barb hasn't bought in10:30: Origin's perception in the market13:42: Funding and developmentRelated articlesIsba’s Origin goes live with real audience data for first timeJustin Sampson: Barb and Origin must find consensusOpinion: Origin is not a currency and won’t replace BarbOpinion: Origin: Broadcasters are barking up the wrong treeLack of Origin data transparency puts broadcasters on ‘backfoot’, says Sky Media execIsba launches quarterly Origin Media Landscape Study

Jack Benjamin and Omar Oakes unpick the media coverage and what's in store for the industry with another Donald Trump US presidency.They also discuss announcements from Origin and Barb, Sky’s big ad revenue miscalculation, GB News getting fined £100K by Ofcom and more.Highlights:01:00: Hot takes about hot takes about Trump12:30: Why Isba's Origin is starting to produce its own research14:30: Sky Media on the hook for underpaid ad revenue18:15: Why Barb is launching co-viewing data for the first time on linear and VOD20:40: Industry reactions to the budget24:10: GB News fined – is £100,000 a fair amount?28:15: Tech giants' earningsRelated articles:Isba launches quarterly Origin Media Landscape StudySky Media’s ad blunder occurs at pain point in TV’s transition to digitalBarb to reveal TV co-viewing data for linear and streaming‘Welcome clarity’: Ad industry reacts to Labour’s autumn budgetOfcom issues first financial penalty to GB News for Rishi Sunak Q&A---Visit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderYouTube: The Media Leader