Ad Matters 21.02.2025

This week, we have shared the exciting news that our new President will be Andria Vidler, the UK CEO of Allwyn, the operator of the National Lottery. Andria takes over from Alessandra Bellini, who continues her support for our work as she becomes the UK Chair of Ad Net Zero.

Our new President takes on the role at a fascinating time. We’re pushing forward on behalf of our members to present the case for responsible advertising – trusted, inclusive, and sustainable – and its value to the UK’s economy and society. This means work on a number of fronts. Our upcoming Ad Pays 2025 report will set out the industry’s contribution in fresh detail and launches at LEAD North in May. Closer still, next month’s All In Census is a big collective push to support talent from all backgrounds in our industry with new data to inform positive action once again. Ad Net Zero’s work continues around sustainable ad ops, production and distribution plus increased support for sustainable products, services, and behaviour change. At the same time, our Value of Trust work underlines the real business value of ensuring all advertising can be trusted.

All of this paves the way for 2026 when our association will mark its centenary. More to come on that, but for now, a big welcome to our new President and here’s to a successful three years under her leadership!

Our must-reads:

• Examining adland’s culture of overworking, Campaign reflects on record levels of calls to NABS last year, the 2023 All In Census and the IPA Census. (Campaign)
• Our members, Saatchi & Saatchi and Channel 4’s Random Acts, explore the interaction between the worlds of TV and advertising. (LBB)
• Our CEO, Stephen Woodford, spoke on Campaign’s podcast this week about adland’s climate impact. (Campaign)
• A new report by MPs has found that older people are being discriminated against in the workplace, highlighting the roles of industries including advertising and the media. (The Times)
• To celebrate 30 years of Clubcard Rewards, Tesco and BBH have taken the nation back with a nostalgic look back at UK popular culture. (LBB)

Our pick of the ads:

• Our Ad in the A is ‘Keep your minds on the road’ by Leith, highlighting the Scottish Government’s new road safety campaign on the dangers of distraction.
• T&Pm and NatWest’s ‘Tomorrow Begins Today’ encourages young people to gain greater financial confidence and achieve their long-term saving goals.
• M&C Saatchi shares a light-hearted ad with serious undertones in ‘That feeling’ to raise awareness of breast cancer screenings.
• Mother’s ad ‘Beep’, featuring actor Ambika Mod, invites consumers to explore greener banking options as part of the Make My Money Matter campaign.

Dates for your diary:

• Registration for Cannes Young Lions competition closes on February 27, so make sure to enter before the deadline.
• The Museum of Brands and The History of Advertising Trust are celebrating 100 years of women in advertising in their new exhibition ‘AdWomen’. It runs until April 28 and is definitely worth a visit.

And finally, it is less than a month to go until the All In Census! This is a reminder to diarise 15 minutes in your and your colleagues’ calendars on March 12 to help support our industry’s work to recruit and retain the very best talent.