Ad Matters 10.11.2023

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

This week has been a big one for Christmas ads, as brands and agencies have been revealing their very best work to celebrate the season.

On Thursday, we released our latest AA/WARC adspend figures for Q4 2023. The data shows a record £9.5bn is expected to be spent during Christmas advertising season this year, a 4.8% increase from last year’s record spend of £9bn.

What’s more, our new research shows that nearly half of all adults credit Christmas ads with helping to spark gift ideas, while 70% of young adults (25-34) find Christmas ads to be the ultimate festive mood booster.

Our Commercial Director, Sharon Lloyd Barnes, and Communications Director, Matt Bourn, have been on TV and radio discussing what makes festive ads so special, with broadcast features on BBC Breakfast and Times Radio as well as an array of local TV and radio spots. Did you catch them?

To understand all about the latest figures, our news story can be read here, and further coverage can be found via the Evening Standard, BBC, The Guardian and Marketing Week to name but a few!

MAKING UK ADVERTISING GLOBAL

On Tuesday we released the latest advertising export figures for 2022 which show a 15.5% increase year-on-year to reach an impressive £15.6bn, cementing the industry’s position as a global powerhouse.

The record figures were released ahead of a packed schedule for the Department of Business and Trade’s International Trade Week which saw UK Advertising Export Group (UKAEG) host a strategic programme of events designed to help businesses, large or small, maximise their global growth potential in international markets which included events such as:

UKAEG’s Transatlantic Triumph webinar featured an exclusive discussion with UKAEG member Coffee&TV and their successful business operations with clients in the USA to equip you with the knowledge to take your business to the next level stateside.

How to win at Cannes Lions? – An in-person event at Regent Street’s cinema the session was designed to give businesses the tools, strategies, and expertise they will need not just to win, but thrive and expand on the global stage. The session included a star-studded lineup including Dan Cullen-Shute, CEO, Creature London; Jason Foo, CEO, BBD Perfect Storm and Leonie Moreton, Managing Director, Coffee&TV.

And it hasn’t stopped there for UKAEG this week . . .

UKAEG also announced the appointment of Julian Douglas, International CEO, VCCP as the group’s new Chair. Dougie will champion UK advertising as an ambassador to ensure continued growth in the next decade as the group looks to unlock new international markets.

You can read more about the advertising exports here.

AA CELEBRATES DIWALI

It was a week full of festivities, with the AA team celebrating Diwali together, which takes place this Sunday!

The entire team got together to create a traditional ‘Rangoli’ pattern with flowers and tea lights and shared some Indian sweets and snacks to bring in the festival.

All in all, it was a successful week for the AA and all our members – Happy Diwali!

SIGN UP TO THE FUTURE OF TV ADVERTISING GLOBAL

And lastly, did you know, the Future of TV Advertising Global is back!

Bringing the TV advertising industry together, in person, there will be A-list line-up of global pioneers from across the sell-side and buy-side as they share their latest thinking and best practice. They explore the issues that will shape the next decade.

The event will be taking place on December 5 and 6 at Kings Place in London.

Find out more here!

THIS WEEK: UK ADVERTISING IN THE MEDIA

It’s our specially-curated selection of must-reads from across our industry media.

Check it out here!

AD OF THE WEEK

You made it this far – why not check our ad of the week? 

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