Ad Matters 12.04.2024

We’ve been tripping over paparazzi all week at AA Towers.

No, not because they want photos of all our smiling faces, but because the Post Office and Horizon Committee has been taking place pretty much next door at the bottom of Aldwych. It’s quite the experience to witness first-hand the ongoing national interest in this issue, a true cultural phenomenon brought to us all by one of our biggest commercial media owner members, ITV.

And it’s a reminder to us all just how powerful the media and advertising can be when it comes to setting the nation’s agenda and shaping people’s opinions and behaviours.

Our must reads:

• AI meets politics: new AI chatbot for civil servants will help search and analyse government papers and rapidly summarise them into briefings. (BBC)
• Here’s a question for you: Are ‘fake ads’ helping or hindering the advertising industry? (The Drum)
• Transparency is key. IAB UK has launched an environmental sustainability initiative aimed at boosting accountability within the digital advertising supply chain. (New Digital Age)
• We’re getting closer to Cannes Lions! In the meantime, the festival of creativity has launched a creator learning and networking program that will take place at this year’s event. (Campaign)
• What counts as a taboo topic in 2024? And what role should brands play in tackling them? (The Media Leader)

Our pick of recent ads:

• Skin Cancer UK, along with Ogilvy Health, is trying to create awareness amongst people who use sunbeds about ‘The Melanoma Law’.
• To help with the current Marmite drought in New York, Marmite, with the help of Adam & Eve/DDB,  has recruited ‘Marmite Smugglers’ in London to get the spread across to New York.
• Born Social helps you let go of your concerns about electric cars and encourages you to have a ‘Dreamlike Drive’ with Ford!
• Our Ad in the A is for the literary lovers: Dulux has released the ‘Dulux Heritage editions’ which recreated the covers of 12 literary classics by pairing the mood of the narratives with various paint colours, by Ogilvy UK.

Events:

• The Future of Brands, taking place on 17 April, will delve into the inner workings of some of the world’s best performing brands. Book your tickets here and use the code PARTNER_AA25 to nab 25% off!
• Join us at RISE, Creative Equals’ unmissable one-day conference on 24 April focusing on how to deliver best-in-class inclusive marketing. Book your tickets here!

Just under a month to go until LEAD North! Speakers include Councillor Bev Craig, Gamal Fahnbulleh, Sarah Jenkins, and Jonathan Warburton, amongst others. Join us on May 9 in Manchester and book your tickets here.