To quote my favourite film, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Our Annual Review provides that moment to reflect on all that our team has delivered these past 12 months…
… including a renewed economic case for advertising, industry awareness for the new LHF advertising regulations, responsible AI adoption in advertising, representation in the Online Advertising Taskforce, more tracking of public trust in advertising, awareness campaign for the ASA, driving the All In workstream forward including the 3rd industry survey, marking Ad Net Zero’s 5th anniversary, more Campaign Ad Net Zero Awards to set the bar, plus constant work to deliver the GMSF for media decarbonisation, brilliant trade missions around the world, our work as the UK rep for Cannes Lions, education and awareness campaigns for Media Smart and more…
None of this would be possible without the commitment and drive of a whole range of talented folk who work at the AA, Ad Net Zero, AdGreen, Credos and Media Smart… 2026 promises to be an exciting year for all of us, as we will mark our centenary as a trade body. There will be new research from Credos into public trust of advertising, a new publication, Trusted Advertising, which I’ve co-authored with CAP Chair, James Best and much more to come on making the economic case for advertising.
For now though, in our final Ad Matters of the year, a big thank you from all of us, for all the support for everything we do on behalf of our members and the industry. Wishing you a lovely festive break and here’s to a happy, healthy and successful 2026. Hopefully see you at LEAD on February 5, if not before!
Our must reads:
- The Creative Industries Council has been relaunched, including the Creative Industries Trade and Investment Board which will be co-chaired by WPP’s Michael Frohlich. (Campaign)
- The effort which goes into Christmas ads has been recognised as The Guardian looks back at some of the most tear-jerking Christmas ads this year. (The Guardian)
- Channel 4 is increasing its accessibility standards as subtitles will be required on all advertising from March 2026. (LBB)
- In the run up to 5 January, find out how channels are responding to the new Less Healthy Food rules. (Media Leader)
Our pick of the ads:
- Our Ad in the A is EE celebrating women’s football by hosting a Christmas party in Wembley Stadium, in ‘Are you hosting or guesting this Christmas?’ by Havas Play UK.
- Columbia have challenged conspiracy theorists around the world to find the edge of the planet whilst wearing their clothing in ‘Expedition Impossible’ by Adam&eveDDB.
- Monzo have put ‘The Book of Money’ in the spotlight by taking over a TfL station platform with BBH London.
- The Gym Group have targeted Gen Z by focussing on the connection within the gym community in ‘For Every Group, There’s The Gym Group’ by T&P.
Dates for your diary:
- The ASA is hosting a free webinar on Less Healthy Food advertising on 13 January from 10-11am to give clear, practical guidance on the new rules and hear insights from the ASA, CAP, and Clearcast. Register here.
- 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, we are proud to champion the Discover! Creative Careers campaign with DCMS, helping to promote careers in the creative industries. We would like to say a huge thank you to our members Outsmart OOH and WPP Media for working with us to coordinate a brilliant range of OOH space to support the campaign. A big shout-out to the generous inventory donations from Alight Media, Bauer Media Outdoor UK, JCDecaux, Limited Space, Ocean Outdoor UK, Open Media UK, Outdo, SmartOutdoor which has helped ensure the campaign reached millions more young people across the UK.
