Ad Matters 19.07.24

Our industry’s economic and social contribution has been in stark focus for us all at the AA this week, as a series of key moments collided.

Let’s start with the King’s Speech, the first from the new Government with 40 bills and clear ambitions for growth across the UK’s nations and regions. There are many ways our industry will be asked to contribute to achieving these ambitions and policy decisions that will affect how we can best do this. So, it’s a big moment, and will set in train a series of conversations across the different bills and areas where we are involved – as you can see in our comment here.

At the same time, we published the first of what we plan to be an annual event, collating examples of how and where our industry makes a valuable social contribution. The new report – The Social Contribution of Advertising 2024 – is available here and is the result of a conversation which first began back in January at the very first Industry Reputation Group that many of our members are involved in. Our job at the AA at its core is to make the case for responsible advertising and its value to the people, society, businesses and economy of the UK. This report is a strong new addition to that mission.

Our industry is continually making steps forward, as evidenced by Channel 4’s brilliant new work to subtitle all ads that will run during the 2024 Paralympics and the achievements of the News Media Association, which celebrated its 10^th anniversary this week. Take a look at this film which captures all the NMA’s achievements to champion for a free and sustainable press.

Our must-reads:

• The latest IPA Bellwether figures highlight a welcome boost to marketing budgets. (Campaign)
• Our new report highlights that four in 10 people believe advertising drives positive social change. (Marketing Week)
• What did adland think of the King’s speech? Here are our thoughts, alongside our members ISBA and the DMA. (Marketing Beat)
• Inspiring feature on our Front Foot member, Celine Saturnino, who has stepped up to the London CEO role at Total Media. (Creative Salon).
• Can you believe Boots has been on our high streets for 175 years? Pete Markey and VML’s Justin Pahl discuss their agency/client relationship (Creative Salon).

Our pick of recent ads:

• Spot the athletes among a very special carrot! Our ad in the A is ‘has Kevin met his match?’ for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics by McCann Manchester.
• McDonalds holds a retro birthday party to celebrate their 50th Birthday by Leo Burnett UK.
• Barclays highlights financial literacy showing children in the workplace with ‘Make Money Work For You’ by BBH.
• And ‘banker’ Dominic West is back, this time on a golf course, as part of Nationwide and NCA’s ‘Fairer Share’ campaign.
• St Luke’s has brought back the ‘bird-fluencers’ for South Western Railways in this chirpy spot ‘Make Every Trip a Treat’.
• Similarly, this new RSPB ad ‘we campaign because they can’t’ by Good Agency encourages young people to champion nature.

Dates for your diary:

• Adwanted UK’s ‘The Future of Media’ is back on 8 and 9 October. The event will be all about delivering a future of media, and has its feet firmly planted in practical examples. Use the code PARTNER_AA50 to nab 50% off when you register here.
• Following last year’s event in Edinburgh, we are delighted to bring LEAD Scotland to Glasgow on 10 October. Book your tickets here.

And finally, if you haven’t got your entries in for our Talent Trailblazer Award with Marketing Week, today is the final day to do so! The award is free to enter and spotlights organisations and initiatives which have helped attract talent to the industry and opened doors for those who might not have considered it an option. Get submitting now!