Cop 30 this week. A big moment once again to review action to address climate change and what the world needs to do next. That includes advertising and the role it has as a service industry to the world’s economy.
Timely then that we held the fourth edition of the Campaign Ad Net Zero awards yesterday, established in partnership with Campaign and backed by Google, to recognise the work that is creatively excellent but also sustainably successful.
Another raft of winners provides inspiration to move forward into 2026. A particular shout out to the Grand Prix winners… from the UK, the teams at ITV, MG OMD and the government, while  the international version went to dentsu Denmark and Visit Aarhus. More on the winners here.
Today’s newsletter arrives as Seb Munden and I deliver a lecture and workshop to MSc Business and Sustainability students at UCL, drawing from our book Sustainable Advertising and all we are learning from awards, the work of Ad Net Zero and its supporters.
There are many good reasons to step up your efforts on sustainability – the new CMO CSI playbook from the Institute for Real Growth is a fantastic addition to the evidence of its direct connection to business success. If anyone you’re working with is looking for that evidence, send them a copy of that.
Finally, our publisher, Kogan Page has a special 25% discount on all books in its sustainability range (including Sustainable Advertising) and you can access that using the code COP30 here.
So, a simple ask this week – are you having a conversation about how you are making sure the work you’re delivering is helping to make things a little bit better year on year? If you need more on how to do that and why this can help make you and your business more competitive, please get in touch.
Our must-reads:
- Tesco, BBH and EssenceMediacom won the Channel 4 Diversity in Advertising Award 2025, with their campaign ‘Inclusive Cooking’. (Marketing Week)
- Cannes Lions has introduced the Creative Brand Lion and the new AI Craft subcategory for the craft-led awards. (Campaign)
- The Newsworks Awards, which recognise and reward the best in advertising in news brands, have released their shortlist. (Newsworks)
- Denise Turner, IPA research director and a leading figure in media research for over three decades, has died aged 58. (Media Leader)
Our pick of the ads:
- Our Ad in the A is VCCP’s Scratchcard-Igan featuring Tom Daley for Allwyn.
- EE has released its first ever Christmas campaign, ‘Hosting? Guesting?’ by a Publicis Groupe UK cross-agency team to celebrate connection.
- Tesco has revelled in festive chaos in ‘That’s What Makes It Christmas’ by BBH London.
- Waitrose has highlighted the power of food in their festive rom com ‘Sweet Suspicion’ by Wonderhood Studios with media from MG OMD.
Dates for your dairy:
- As UK reps we can access a special discount for our members to attend the Cannes Lions CMO Accelerator London Edition which takes place on 17 and 18 November at MSQ, Covent Garden London. It’s a special course for ambitious, senior-level marketers shaping the future of brand and business in Europe – if you’re interested, get in touch with me to find out more.
- The ASA’s online industry summit will take place on 18 November, focussing on ‘Protecting Children Online: The Advertising Challenge’. Register here.
- The Marketing Society’s Annual Dinner is taking place on 25 November, an evening of connection, conversation and celebration. Contact bookings@marketingsociety.com to secure one of the last tables.
And finally, it’s been a big week for our industry education programme, Media Smart, as they’ve been out with OMG UK delivering their workshop on advertising and media careers to the fantastic Year 12 media students at Tonyrefail Community School in Rhondda, Wales. The session has been supported by Sir Chris Bryant Minister of State, Department for Business and Trade and MP for Rhondda and Ogmore. More information on the workshop and getting involved can be found via Media Smart’s website.
