

The Media Leader Podcast
The Media Leader
The Media Leader is the leading source of analysis, data, opinion and trends in commercial media and advertising.Hosted by senior reporter Jack Benjamin, we speak to senior industry leaders and rising stars about the key challenges media faces as part of our mission to stand up for courage, inclusion and excellence in media.Find out more at uk.themedialeader.com and subscribe to our daily newsletter.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 16, 2024 • 19min
Stories that mattered this week: Principal media, Rajar, streaming bundles and AI search
Reporters Jack Benjamin and Ella Sagar are back with a look at the stories that mattered most in media and advertising this week.Highlights00:35: ANA report on principal media3:47: Rajar Q1 takeaways5:54: Changes to Google and Safari search and the impact on publishers10:01: Streaming TV bundles13:59: Takeaways from Advertising Week Europe16:59: Other important updates this week: mental health awareness, Channel 4 and ITV updates, Clear Channel earnings, and more.What do you think of this new format? Contact jack.benjamin@uk.adwanted.com---Visit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderThreads: @TheMediaLeaderTwitter: @TheMediaLeader YouTube: The Media Leader

May 13, 2024 • 43min
David Abraham interview: Brands have 'fallen into the trap' of media choices
David Abraham, founder and CEO of Wonderhood Studios, speaks to Omar Oakes about the future of the "big idea" in marketing, his company's approach to ad-funded programming and his view on Channel 4, the broadcaster he used to run for seven years as CEO.Skip straight to 6:15 for the interview!Abraham believes we still need the “big idea” and the creative agencies behind them, amid a fragmented media landscape and an increasing feeling that this industry is no longer “fun”.In his keynote interview at The Future of Brands in April, Abraham talked of advertising that “can reach you at such a deep, emotive level that you’ll remember that core idea that surrounds that brand for the rest of your life”. So a big idea “actually creates memory structures that create brand equity over time”.Useful links:Summary of Abraham's interview (our website)The video version of the interview (YouTube)Editor’s note: Let’s trust each other to get real about sponsored content (our website)The Future of Brands (Adwanted Events)Email the editor! omar.oakes@uk.adwanted.comWe want to know what you think about this podcast, who we should interview, what topics we should address... everything!---Visit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderThreads: @TheMediaLeaderTwitter: @TheMediaLeader YouTube: The Media Leader

May 9, 2024 • 18min
Stories that mattered this week: Disney's streaming milestone, Paramount merger saga, Reddit's first earnings
Reporters Jack Benjamin and Ella Sagar are back with a look at the stories that mattered most in media and advertising this week.0:20: Disney earnings4:20: Paramount – the saga continues8:10: Reddit – what did we learn from its first quarterly earnings?12:15: Why Acast is reporting strong sales growth15:30: Introducing "And Finally" – other important updates this week: TikTok, Reach, QueerAF, The Guardian, JCDecaux, UK box officeWhat do you think of this new format? Let us know at news@the-media-leader.co.uk.---Visit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderThreads: @TheMediaLeaderTwitter: @TheMediaLeader YouTube: The Media Leader

May 6, 2024 • 32min
Many marketers 'relieved' about cookie deprecation delay
There is a rough 50/50 split between marketers who are either "relieved" that Google's cookie deprecation has been delayed again and those who are more prepared with solutions for when it does eventually happen.This is according to Tony Miller, chair of the Data & Marketing Association, who spoke to reporter Ella Sagar about Google's decision to push cookie deprecation down the road for a third time, as well as what current challenges DMA members are facing.

May 1, 2024 • 20min
Stories that mattered this week: Google cookie fallout, TikTok fights back, Spotify, Paramount
Reporters Jack Benjamin and Ella Sagar are back with a look at the stories that mattered most in media and advertising this week.1:30: Google delays the phasing out of third-party cookies again. Why and should we still care?3:00: Alphabet earnings and a focus on YouTube4:30: TikTok faces US ban in nine months – how will it respond?7:07: Spotify's pivot to video10:10: Snap's small-business success13:00: Factors now driving Amazon ad growth16:50: Bob Bakish exits Paramount amid merger talks---Visit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderThreads: @TheMediaLeaderTwitter: @TheMediaLeader YouTube: The Media Leader

Apr 29, 2024 • 45min
The Future of Marketing with Bloomberg Media – Ep4: The magic of video
Welcome to this special four-part series of the podcast, which we've produced with Bloomberg Media. For the first time, we've recorded the podcast in a studio, so you can also watch/listen on our YouTube channel.The Future of Marketing is a series of conversations about the essential strategies and skills needed for marketers and their teams to thrive in today's complex cross-platform ecosystem. Hosted by editor-in-chief Omar Oakes, each episode this month will bring together the buy side and sell side of media to discuss the opportunities and pitfalls in 2024 and beyond.Episode 4: The magic of video – captivating content for all seasonsMedia agency Starcom’s chief strategy officer, Dan Plant, is joined by Bloomberg Media’s Duncan Chater and Omar Oakes to delve into how video and original programming have redefined the boundaries of brand engagement and audience resonance.Conversation outline:The state of video today as a storytelling channel with the rise of short-form content on TikTok, Instagram and YouTubeStories from brands during the recent festive seasonOriginal programming and documentary-style videos' impact to reach diverse audiencesHow marketers can use storytelling in video throughout the year, as opposed to a particular time in the calendarWhat’s new in 2024 for working with original content creators, platforms and media owner in-house studios?This is the last episode! Duncan and Omar wrap the conversation to summarise what advertisers and media owners should take into account when considering the future of marketing.Subscribe and scroll back through our feed to get previous episodes (they can be taken in any order).---Thanks, as always, to our production partners Trisonic for editing this episode and for producing this series, which was recorded at Create in London. Visit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderThreads: @TheMediaLeaderTwitter: @TheMediaLeader YouTube: The Media Leader

Apr 25, 2024 • 21min
The Future of Audio key interviews: Radiocentre on BBC ads and Acast on podcast measurement
We’ve just finished one of our big London events, The Future of Audio and Entertainment, where we had some of the most influential players in commercial audio and online platforms get together to talk about the future of content, production, AI, ads, sponsorships and measurement.If you subscribe to our YouTube channel, you’ll see that we’re also regularly publishing flash interviews from our events, via The Media Leader Live studio, and today we bring you two of those conversations by our audio reporter Ella Sagar.The first one is with Matt Payton, CEO of commercial radio industry body Radiocentre, which launched some stark findings on the day of the event that showed if the BBC decided to introduce advertising across radio, the financial impact on commercial radio would be “devastating”, with a 36% forecast decline in revenues.And Michael Bayston, Acast's vice-president of adtech solutions, discusses why measurement is still such a key challenge this year, both for legacy radio broadcasters and digital platforms.---Visit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderThreads: @TheMediaLeaderTwitter: @TheMediaLeader YouTube: The Media Leader

Apr 22, 2024 • 49min
The Future of Marketing with Bloomberg Media – Ep3: Storytelling and engaging audiences
Welcome to this special four-part series of the podcast, which we've produced with Bloomberg Media. For the first time, we've recorded the podcast in a studio, so you can also watch/listen on our YouTube channel.The Future of Marketing is a series of conversations about the essential strategies and skills needed for marketers and their teams to thrive in today's complex cross-platform ecosystem. Hosted by editor-in-chief Omar Oakes, each episode this month will bring together the buy side and sell side of media to discuss the opportunities and pitfalls in 2024 and beyond.Episode 3: How to really move the needle with storytelling and engaging audiencesOmar Oakes is joined by Ann Wixley, executive creative director at WPP media agency Wavemaker, and Bloomberg Media European managing director Duncan Chater. They dive into breakthrough thought-leadership solutions and building valuable custom content that promises to convey your brand's unique value proposition through the art of storytelling.Conversation outline:Has the importance of "the big idea" changed in 2024 – ie. reaching people with a singular campaign message as audiences become more fragmented?In-house expertise available when working with media ownersOptimal ways to work with studios and content creatorsHow does the media strategy impact on the storytelling? Which one should be planned first?Data insights and tools that make your brand’s storytelling betterNext episode: "The magic of video: Captivating content for all seasons" with Bloomberg Media's Duncan Chater and Starcom's Dan Plant.---Thanks, as always, to our production partners Trisonic for editing this episode and for producing this series, which was recorded at Create in London. Visit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderThreads: @TheMediaLeaderTwitter: @TheMediaLeader YouTube: The Media Leader

Apr 18, 2024 • 38min
Are agencies fit for purpose when it comes to gaming advertising?
In-game advertising has proven to be a tough nut to crack for brands and marketers. But are agencies set up well to take advantage of the burgeoning possibilities in the medium?Rhys Hancock is a technology, media and entertainment consultant who previously worked at Epic Games and, before that, co-founded metaverse studio and agency Metavision.In a conversation with host Jack Benjamin, Hancock gives his perspective on whether agencies are well-suited to planning and buying gaming inventory."That separation between creative and media, I don't think can hold in gaming much longer," says Hancock.Highlights:7:05: Breaking down intrinsic and immersive in-game advertising options11:20: In-game advertising campaigns that have worked well17:06: Are agencies well-suited to executing on gaming campaigns?25:50: The future of gaming – VR, cross-platform and cloud gaming, shoppable gaming and generative AI---This episode was edited by our production partner Trisonic.Visit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderThreads: @TheMediaLeaderTwitter: @TheMediaLeader YouTube: The Media Leader

Apr 15, 2024 • 37min
The Future of Marketing with Bloomberg Media – Ep2: Mastering insights and data tools
Welcome to this special four-part series of the podcast, which we've produced with Bloomberg Media. For the first time, we've recorded the podcast in a studio, so you can also watch/listen on our YouTube channel.The Future of Marketing is a series of conversations about the essential strategies and skills needed for marketers and their teams to thrive in today's complex cross-platform ecosystem. Hosted by editor-in-chief Omar Oakes, each episode this month will bring together the buy side and sell side of media to discuss the opportunities and pitfalls in 2024 and beyond.Episode 2: How to master the impact of insights and data toolsOmar Oakes is joined by Bloomberg Media’s Phil Robinson and Havas Media Network UK's chief planning officer, Jackie Lyons. They delve into the transformative impact of incorporating insights and data tools into your advertising strategy.Conversation outline:The best ways of measuring brand perception in the marketHow marketers can craft responsive strategies that enhance their brand’s imageWhat are marketers generally not doing when it comes to gaining data-driven insights and how should they improve this in 2024?Why it is important for marketers to be strategic leaders within their businesses and the support they needNext week: "How to really move the needle with storytelling and engaging audiences" with Bloomberg Media's Duncan Chater and Wavemaker's Ann Wixley. ---Thanks, as always, to our production partners Trisonic for editing this episode and for producing this series, which was recorded at Create in London. Visit The Media Leader for the most authoritative news analysis and comment on what's happening in commercial media. LinkedIn: The Media LeaderThreads: @TheMediaLeaderTwitter: @TheMediaLeader YouTube: The Media Leader


