Ad Matters 28.06.24

This time next week we will know the shape of the next UK government. For all the political junkies here at the AA, it’s kind of like waiting for Christmas Day, except this one only comes round once every few years, so it’s even more of a unique ‘what’s waiting beneath the Christmas tree?’ moment. We’re stocking up the popcorn, ready to settle in for an all-nighter of results in what’s sure to be another hugely significant event in the UK’s political history.

It’s a busy time for our policy colleagues. They’ve been hard at work in recent months communicating on our industry’s behalf with many different people from across the political spectrum. We’re expecting an influx of new MPs, hundreds of them, and so there is a big and important job to do to educate them all about the many things that our industry contributes to the UK, both economically and socially. We produced a special guide to help the team land all the key points and we’ve now published that online so you can see it here: how UK advertising powers creativity. We’ll be building on all this work as the new government (and the opposition) beds in, and at the conferences later on this year.

In other news, massive congrats from us all at the AA to every UK winner at Cannes Lions last week, each contributing to another impressive haul for our industry, some 112 awards. We’re particularly proud, though, of the three Lions brought home by our UK Young Lions!

Talking of proud… my former colleague, Sue Eustace, our ex Public Affairs Director, has been awarded an MBE and it couldn’t be more deserved given the huge contribution she has made during her career. I’m excitedly reading through sneak previews of the book she is writing on the history of the Advertising Association. It will come out in 2026, as part of our centenary celebrations. Congrats Sue!

Our must reads / listens:

• Our Head of Policy and Government Affairs, Chris Walker, joined ExchangeWire’s Rachel Smith and ISBA’s Stuart Macnaughtan to explore the election’s potential implications on ad tech in this podcast. (ExchangeWire)
• Our thinktank Credos asks what creativity in advertising actually means. Here are some insights on the history of creativity in advertising and what it does from Paul Feldwick. (AA)
• Get the download on all the Cannes wins with Cannes Lions 2024 Curated. (Creative Salon)
• Interested in Ad Net Zero and GARM’s new standards for sustainability measurement in media? Check out this podcast. (Digiday)
• Last Cannes content, we promise! Insight takeaways from the Croisette. (Research Live)

Our pick of recent ads:

• BBC Creative’s ‘It’s Your Election’ aims to make the case for the broadcaster’s election coverage across the country.
• While The Times is ‘Bringing Westminster to your doorstep’ in this new campaign by Pulse Creative.
• The Melanoma Fund’s ‘Silhouettes’ by Neverland highlights the risks of taking part in outdoor sports in the summer without adequate sun protection.
• The Royal National Institute of Blind People, with the help of Good Agency, calls for audio or tactile voting solutions to be rolled out nationally.
• And Voting Counts urges registered voters to avoid forming the ‘UK’s Largest Party’ by Brave Spark.

Events:

• The Media Business Course is 60 years old! This year, MBC will be taking place in Eastbourne from 9-12 July. You can register here.
• Adwanted UK’s ‘The Future of Media’ is back on 8 and 9 October. The event will be all about delivering a future of media, and has its feet firmly planted in practical examples. Register here.

And finally, with reflections on Cannes Lions coming to an end, check out UK Advertising’s wrap-up showreel and post on activities last week!