The Advertising Association promotes the role and rights of responsible advertising and its value to people, society, businesses and the economy. We represent UK advertisers, agencies, media owners and tech companies on behalf of the entire industry, acting as the connection between industry professionals and the politicians and policy-makers.

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The Advertising Association focuses on major industry and policy areas that have huge ramifications on UK advertising. This section contains our work around public health, gambling advertising, data and e-privacy, trust, the digital economy and more.

Credos is the advertising industry’s independent think tank. It produces research, evidence and reports into the impact and effectiveness of and public and political response to advertising on behalf of UK advertisers in order to enable the industry to make informed decisions.

Front Foot is our industry’s member network of over 90 businesses across UK advertising. It aims to promote the role of responsible advertising and its value to people, society and the economy through a coalition of senior leaders from advertisers, agencies and media owners.

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.

Tributes paid to Media Business Course’s Rosemary Michael

/ September 4th 2025
Industry News Talent

Earlier this week, industry leaders were hosted by Havas UK to celebrate the life of Rosemary Michael, who died earlier this year, and had previously worked for the Advertising Association for an incredible 56 years. Rosemary not only ran the Media Business Course, she embodied its unique spirit and magic, ensuring the support of advertising industry leaders across five decades.

In 2013, Rosemary was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for being the driving force behind the Media Business Course. We were joined by her family, close friends, former colleagues and members of the MBC committees over the years. Many gave their own personal tributes and shared stories of how Rosemary had impacted their lives and careers.

MBC turned 61 this year and to date more than 8,000 delegates have benefitted from its immersive, three-day experience with some of the most eminent figures in the industry as speakers, tutors and judges. Often cited as ‘life-changing’, the course owes its significant legacy to Rosemary and the years she spent leading and championing it.