We love Spotify Wrapped here at the AA. It’s a ‘moment’ in the office calendar. So, here it is, the playlist to end all playlists, AA Wrapped 2025 – 1 hr, 45 minutes across 25 tracks, each one carefully selected as ‘the best of the year’ from my team mates.
Normally, the communal office playlist ends up stuffed with middle of the road choices, prompting audible sighs of happiness/disgust when Elton John, Coldplay or Ed Sheeran feature, but not this one, oh no. Depending on your view, it is either the sound of a gloriously sophisticated, highly individual but wonderfully collaborative group of people who work at your industry’s trade body, or it’s the track-listing of a team playing Death By DJ locked in a meeting room beneath the unforgiving glare of the strip-lights.
I asked one of our favourite AI bots for a view on this year’s selection and here’s what it said:
The Verdict: Is this the definitive team-building soundtrack? Absolutely not. It’s too chaotic, too brilliant, and too utterly ridiculous. But it does prove one thing: your colleagues are not boring. They’re a brilliant, fractured mess of conflicting tastes. And that’s what makes them interesting.
It’s time for you now to judge because you can listen to it here. Let me know what you think. There’s a prize for the best review we receive…
Our pick of the ads:
- Our Ad in the A had to be Spotify’s ‘Your Favourite Artists reveal Spotify wrapped 2025’ showcasing people’s listening data.
- Whitechapel Gallery has celebrated its 125th anniversary with a bold, colourful rebrand by BBH Studios.
- Virgin Media O2 gave free socks to customers in Leeds with hidden experience tickets inside in ‘Not a sock shop’ by VCCP.
- Dr. Oetker have created a festive gingerbread world in ‘Ginger’s Christmas’ by adam&eveDDB.
Our must reads:
- We are proud to be a part of Nabs’ first ‘Yay List’, created with Campaign, which spotlights and celebrates all the companies that donate to the charity. (Campaign)
- Our Inclusion Lead Sharon Lloyd Barnes is spotlighting the importance of timeTo during Christmas gatherings. (Little Black Book)
- Kantar’s Best Christmas Ads 2025 report has revealed what truly drives enjoyment, brand power, and commercial impact. (Kantar)
- The History of Advertising Trust has launched its plans to set up three digital archives for retired agency brands. (Campaign)
Dates for your diary:
- LEAD 2026 will be celebrating our centenary with a focus on Leadership Through Trust. Join us on 5 February here.
- Early bird tickets are selling fast for our Media Business Course, taking place from 7-10 July. Learn about the art and craft of media planning from the best in the business. Book your place here.
And finally, what a wonderful evening we had once again at the Communications Industry Christmas Carol Service. It was the turn of my colleague, Mariella, to deliver one of the readings at St Bride’s Church, the church of the journalists, and she did us proud. The choir at St Bride’s are simply phenomenal and the whole service was a joy. If you’re looking for an event to attend that will fill you with festive feelings, make sure you come along next year. We’ll be there and you’ll be very welcome to join us as our guest.
