It’s been quite the week for spreadsheets, soundbites, and the UK economy (including our latest ad spend figures). Between the Chancellor’s Budget announcements – which my colleague Konrad neatly unpacked in this morning’s member webinar (and our comment here) – and the relentless blitz of global headlines, commercial media has once again shown why a functioning democracy relies on a robust press. That makes the return next week of Journalism Matters, the News Media Association’s annual campaign championing national and regional news brands particularly well-timed.
Looking across the Atlantic, political advertising is already in overdrive ahead of the mid-terms, with AI-generated ads stirring debate. While the UK’s voluntary framework and groups like Reform Political Advertising keep our domestic airwaves rather more restrained, the sheer volume of campaign collateral has a habit of finding you anyway. I experienced that first hand working remotely from my Mum’s in Devon this week, when Reform UK’s new ‘Free For Patriots’ newspaper, The Reformer, came through her letterbox.
Whether it is party-funded tabloids, US broadcast saturation, or online campaigns, the boundary where news, politics, and commercial persuasion collide is growing noisier by the day. Backing trusted editorial through Journalism Matters – alongside our trade body’s mission to promote the value of responsible advertising – remains our best option to ensure people can trust the information they receive.
Our pick of the ads:
- Our Ad in the A is ‘Massive Value. Massive Plus’ by Saatchi & Saatchi for Plusnet, who have launched a new brand platform and fluffy mascot, Plusso.
- Audible and WPP have teamed up with NHS Blood and Transplant for Blood Donations this Halloween, inviting people to ‘Give Blood With Dracula.’
- ‘Don’t Panic Room’ by adam&eve/TBWA for Columbia, encourages outdoor enthusiasts to share survival skills with a chance to win a stocked off-grid bunker.
- ‘Market Street Monsters’ by Leo UK turns Morrisons’ everyday fruit and veg into spooky characters.
Our must-reads:
- The Q2 AA/WARC advertising Expenditure Report has been released, revealing that investment is expected to reach a record £14bn in the festive quarter (Campaign).
- Our CEO Stephen Woodford told The Telegraph that Labour’s ban on junk food advertisements ‘will cost British jobs’ (The Telegraph).
- Following the Budget from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, here’s what it means for marketers, from business growth to paternity leave (Marketing Week).
- System1’s sustainable October Ads of the Month include BT, Etsy and Guide Dogs (System1).
Dates for your diary:
- Our president Andria Vidler is chairing the opening keynote panel at The Future of Media London at Kings Place on 3 November. Under this year’s theme, ‘Media Means Business’, attendees will explore AI, media effectiveness, growth and investment. AA members can use code AA_FOML2620 for 20% off.
- I will be discussing Trusted Advertising at the Harris X Book Breakfast on 10 November at the Blue Fin Building in Southwark. Do sign up here to come and join for good coffee, good company and fresh thinking.
- The Marketing Society is hosting The Global Changemakers Conference on 11 November at the QEII Conference Centre in London, bringing together 500+ senior marketers to discuss this year’s theme: Ambition. Find out more here.
- I will be chairing another Clearcast roundtable on 18 November exploring how brands, creators and regulators can work together to build credibility, protect consumers and strengthen confidence in influencer marketing. To register your interest in the free event, click here.
- Our flagship summit, LEAD, will return to the QEII Centre in Westminster on the morning of 28 January 2027. Buy tickets here.
- Our new interactive forum “Future Leaders” will take place straight after LEAD on 28 January. Aimed at professionals with four+ years’ experience, the event will look at the issues that matter now and what they mean for the next generation of industry leaders. Buy tickets, click here.
And finally… it’s the final of Celebrity Traitors tonight! Are you ready?! The eagle-eyed among you will have spotted an error in last week’s edition, or perhaps more of an oversight. I forgot to tell you who won the AA’s game of TrAAitors, hosted by our very own Chris Walker(man)…
After nearly two hours of trustworthy play and deceitful turns, the Faithful emerged victorious, led by Itty and Alex, who trusted each enough to share the spoils. Congrats to them both. For the record, I was a Traitor and was pleased to make it a bit further through the game than Richard E. Grant.
