Ad Matters 06.12.2024

December’s a critical time for our climate action workstream, Ad Net Zero, as it marks its 4th anniversary. So, the first thing I’m going to urge you to do is to read the Progress Report brilliantly put together by the Ad Net Zero team which was previewed to supporters at WPP on Tuesday – it’s the most comprehensive read yet on where we’re at and what to do next. Please share it with colleagues to encourage more sustainable action within your business in 2025.

This idea of sharing and learning from each other was demonstrated in practice by our friends at the IPA who this week put on a special half-day event at their HQ. It was designed to help people discuss how sustainable innovation can unlock commercial growth, which included learnings from our Campaign Ad Net Zero award winners. I’ve drawn great inspiration from all of this to keep looking for the positive developments taking place around me which help address climate change and rebuild our economy for the future.

Meanwhile, December also brings a plethora of Year in Reviews and Year Aheads, so my thanks to Ipsos who provided some gems via guest speakers, Sir Trevor Phillips, Jess Phillips MP and British Chambers of Commerce CEO, Shevaun Haviland. Here’s one stat I wanted to share – 75% of Brits are happy, which puts us into the world’s top 10 of happy countries. My maths tells me that means 3 in 4 of you reading right now are smiling… and maybe I can convince that other 1 to join you… because it’s Friday… Spotify Wrapped has landed (more on that next week)… and it’s nearly Christmas!

Our must-reads:

• The latest edition of The Works study, our partnership with Kantar and Marketing Week, features research into OOH, with Boots winning. (Marketing Week)
• The Newsworks Awards winners are out, with OMD UK winning a Grand Prix! (The Media Leader)
• How Brixton Finishing School’s foundation is transforming industry access. (LBB)
• Find out more about the pursuit of creative excellence in the AI era. (Creative Salon)
• Danny Josephs highlights the lack of disability representation in this year’s festive ads (Campaign)
• Thinkbox reflected on World Television Day, with a timely reminder of how advertising can support democracy alongside commercial interest. (The Media Leader)

Our pick of the ads:

• Our Ad in the A is Spotify’s new ‘Wrapped’ campaign which celebrated cultural moments.
• The Walt Disney Company is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the iconic song It’s a Small World with ‘The last verse’ by adam&eveDDB.
• Wallace & Gromit are taking over BBC One this December with three festive idents created by Aardman Studios.
• The ‘How we Mini’ campaign by Monks for the Mini Cooper and Mini Countryman showcases the spirit of the new cars and their capabilities.

Dates for your diary:

• LEAD is back for 2025! The theme for the event will be growth and value and will feature a stellar line up of political and advertising leaders. Book your tickets here.
• Early bird booking for the Media Business Course is now open! Book your place to learn about the art of media planning and pitching here.

Big thanks to the lovely folk at Newsworks for the invite to their awards this week. Polly and Mariella went along, and, aside from making the most of the photo booth, they were suitably impressed with the winning line-up. They’re earmarked some to include in next year’s Social Contribution report (our latest work to show how and where advertising makes a valued contribution to UK society). You can read this year’s version here.