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We run a number of events throughout the year, from our annual LEAD summit to the Media Business Course and regular breakfast briefings for our members. We are also the official UK representative for the world’s biggest festival of creativity – Cannes Lions.

LEAD, UK Advertising Industry’s Summit, Returns for 2023

/ September 21st 2022
Industry News

The Advertising Association, the IPA and ISBA to present  joint event on January 25, 2023.

September 21, 2022, London:  The Advertising Association, the IPA and ISBA will hold their annual industry summit on January 25, 2023 at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in central London. LEAD 2023, will build on the legacy of the AA’s flagship event, which has run since 2012, and the success of the tripartite events, RESET 2021 and RENEW 2022, held during the pandemic lockdowns.

LEAD 2023 will address how the advertising industry, working together across brands, agencies, media and tech companies, can best help the UK achieve economic and social recovery from the pandemic, work alongside the new government and tackle the many challenges facing the entire industry. The half-day summit will be delivered in-person and online with a packed agenda, bringing together leaders from across the political, business and advertising spheres. A stellar speaker line-up will be led by the three Presidents of the organising associations – the Advertising Association’s Alessandra Bellini, the IPA’s Julian Douglas, and ISBA’s Margaret Jobling.

The summit will review the regulatory pressures on the industry and tackle key themes as the associations examine how the industry can be match-fit for the challenges emerging for the second quarter of the 21st century, including:

  • How to build an advertising workforce to meet the changing demands of the 21st century
  • How to make advertising even more effective and efficient
  • How creativity can be an accelerator for growth

Phil Smith, Director General, ISBA, said: “As we face into an uncertain era for the economy and our industry, it’s vital that we work together wherever possible to tackle the major challenges we face. That’s why we’re delighted to be partnering again with the Advertising Association and the IPA to draw a sharp focus on the big issues and the industry’s response at LEAD.”

Paul Bainsfair, Director General, IPA, said: “As we begin to focus on the months and years ahead, being an integral part of developing the agenda for LEAD is an important signal to IPA members and their clients, that post Brexit and post Covid, we are still working together as an industry to ensure a fruitful and open dialogue with Government and business leaders on the health of UK plc. We are looking forward to more dialogue on the key issues for 2023 and working with a new Prime Minister and their new team.”

Stephen Woodford, CEO, Advertising Association said: “After two years away, we are very excited to announce plans for LEAD in January in partnership with our fellow trade associations, the IPA and ISBA. Two of our industry’s biggest workstreams emerged during the pandemic through cross-industry collaboration – All In and Ad Net Zero. Looking ahead, as we deal with the economic repercussions of the pandemic, inflation and the war in Ukraine and face into the challenges of talent retention and recruitment, it is essential our industry continues its positive momentum and build back better, together.”

LEAD – first established in 2012 – has seen industry and media figures take to the stage including Dame Carolyn McCall, Evan Davis, Syl Saller, Steve Richards and Nicola Mendelsohn, along with many Government Ministers, including DCMS Secretaries of State. The 2023 event will showcase industry collaboration to secure future success.

A full programme for the half-day summit will be published in the coming weeks.

To book your ticket for LEAD 2023, please click here.