Ignore the rain, that Blue Monday nonsense and the ‘hold on to your stomach’ geo-political rollercoaster ride – it’s been a thought-provoking week!
On Wednesday, we held our first Reputation Group meeting of the year. A hugely experienced line-up of comms leaders from across our industry shared their views on the reputational issues and opportunities for advertising this year in a lively meeting. The following morning, a special Front Foot event saw another gathering at The Brandtech HQ in The Shard, this time with business leaders from across our membership sharing their thoughts on what responsible advertising means, and areas where the industry can do more to deliver on our mission to promote responsible advertising and its contribution to the UK.
The beauty about the AA, with our membership ranging across advertisers, agencies, media owners and tech companies, is that we get an excellent range of views and insights from the different parts of the advertising ecosystem, highlighting where the challenges are and where working together can help to make things better for all.
Looking ahead to LEAD on February 5, you will see this collective responsibility up on stage as we discuss the biggest issues that affect us all. At the same time, we will be showcasing further work to demonstrate how and where responsible advertising can make a real, positive difference to life in the UK through innovation, healthy competition to bring about better products and services from different businesses, and job creation. There’s still time to grab a ticket – make sure you’re in the room where it happens!
Our must reads:
- As the Beckham family drama is a hot topic in the office this week, Emily Powell asks whether brands really need to jump on the marketing bandwagon? (The Drum)
- A more serious talking point is the social media ban for under-16s, currently backed by The House of Lords. (BBC)
- The IPA have launched a free to access thought leadership platform, the IPai Forum, to provide insights on the use of generative AI, contributed to by our Public Policy and Regulation Director Konrad Shek. (Media Leader)
- Michael Philips, Head of Communications at Havas Media Network UK, has stressed the importance of positive storytelling in adland. (Campaign)
Our pick of the ads:
- Our Ad in the A is VCCP emphasising the significance of small gestures in ‘Homesick’ for Cadbury Dairy Milk.
- VML UK have reminded coffee lovers of the importance of a biscuit in ‘Coffee Calls for belVita’ for belVita.
- M+C Saatchi Group have raised awareness for scam ads in ‘Check if it’s real, before you seal the deal’for Financial Conduct Authority.
- Ogilvy UK have put a financial spin on popular Gen Z influencer videos in ‘Get Pension Ready With Me’for Scottish Widows, part of Lloyds Banking Group.
Dates for your diary:
- Trusted Advertising: How to harness the value of trust in your brand is a new book written by myself and James Best, Chair of CAP, that comes out on 3 February. Pre-order your copy here.
- It is not long to go until LEAD, the annual industry summit which will celebrate our centenary year. Join us on 5 February here.
- Safer Internet Day is taking place on 10 February. Find out more here.
- On 25 February at 11am we will co-host a webinar with the ASA to reveal the results of the latest wave of the ASA campaign – and its impact on awareness and trust in the ASA and the ad industry as a whole. Click here to register now.
- 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, another reminder that entries are still open for ITV’s Head First Award, where creative agenies, brands and media agencies are invited to enter bold, creative TV campaigns which encourage the nation to take small, meaningful steps towards better mental health. And, there is a total prize fund of £1 million in ITV airtime up for grabs. Find out more here.
