Ukraine: Latest Industry News

We are following industry updates surrounding Ukraine and have been tracking developments and news pieces on initiatives taken by our industry colleagues. Our thoughts are with everyone affected at this difficult time.

If you would like to know more or have an initiative that we can share, please contact aa@adassoc.org.uk

To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine we have compiled some of the main ways that our industry has paid tribute to the ongoing war and events that have affected so many. We will continue to update this page with any coverage of Ukraine and what our industry is doing to support the country in its ongoing struggle.

February 24, 2023

‘It’s changed me forever’: Dentsu European boss on navigating staff through war

Dentsu’s central and eastern European CEO shares the story of the company’s year supporting Ukrainian staff.

Here’s how advertising’s biggest firms are helping rebuild Ukraine’s ad sector

A year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, we examine how the international advertising industry has worked to support agency workers in the country – and how it’s helping it to rebuild.

Ogilvy Italy marks one year of conflict in Ukraine with this cinematic ad

The ad is for the humanitarian aid organization Emergency and questions the kind of peace that people long for.

Campaign Podcast: The view from Ukraine | Leaning out | Repitching | Latest ads reviewed

Marking the one-year anniversary of the invasion of their country by Russia, Campaign hears from Ukrainian agency chiefs Serhiy Uryn and Serhiy Artemenko.

Ad of the Day: inside Don’t Panic’s poignantly captured film of war-torn Ukraine

The shoot took place over three days in various locations to highlight the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the devastation that has occurred over the past year.

Save the Children and Aardman mark one-year anniversary of Ukraine

The charity and animation studio have collaborated to create a film that demonstrates the experience of refugee children.

‘Crisis has hardened our spirits’: Ukrainian agency Bickerstaff on business amid war

The week before Russian soldiers began their assault on Kyiv, The Drum spoke to Bickerstaff’s creatives about an innovative fashion campaign they’d made. A year later, they share how the team and the business have held together in the face of war.

A Google Street View replica shows the devastating impact of war in Ukraine

To mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, creative agency And Us has devised the world’s first interactive street view of a war zone. Here’s how.

May 25

Starbucks pulls brand out of Russia

American coffee giant follows McDonald’s in exit following business suspension.

May 19

Ukraine president named PRWeek Global Communicator of the Year

PRWeek has given president Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine a special award, in recognition of his outstanding communication skills, as part of its Global Awards 2022.

May 18

Ukrainian Publicis Groupe staffers voice Human Rights Foundation campaign

Voices and statements from Ukrainian Publicis Groupe employees have been used to create a three-part fundraising campaign for the Human Rights Foundation (HRF).

May 3

Powerful Ukrainian Aid Campaign Imagines Toronto City Under Attack

Pro bono industry team effort led by TANK Worldwide and Grey Canada takes inspiration from President Zelensky’s speech to the Canadian parliament.

April 25

Adweek Special Issue: ‘On Ukraine, by Ukrainians’

The issue was staffed by more than 20 Ukrainians working together from around the world

Campaign podcast: Running a Ukrainian ad agency during war

Tuning in from LA and Kyiv, the team at Cannes Lion award-winning agency Banda reflect on the challenges of life and creating powerful campaigns as the war drags them apart.

April 19

Ukrainian creative platform calls for briefs

E!Creative, under ElloWorks at Talenthouse, has been created so Ukrainian creatives can still earn money from their skills and work.

April 12

It’s our brand: Ukraine’s government turns nation’s bravery into biggest cultural export

Created by Kyiv-based Banda, the large-scale project by the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Government of Ukraine focuses on the nation’s bravery and will appear in 15 countries worldwide.

‘We’ve forgotten what used to be normal’: a Ukrainian designer’s story from the frontline

As the devastating conflict in Ukraine continues, The Drum has been speaking to advertising professions across the country.

Advertising Week Europe Announces Programme for Job Seekers Affected by the Pandemic and War

At Advertising Week, we know that the past two years have seen many people furloughed, made redundant or leave the marketing industry.

April 5

Using Comedy to Ask For More than ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ for Ukraine

Ukrainian director Daniel L teamed up with 10 Days London and comedian Ahir Shah to request money, not just good wishes, writes LBB’s Alex Reeves.

April 1

Profiting from the information war: who funds Russian advertising?

In the latest episode of our video series on Ukraine and the information war, we hear about how the opacity of adtech is both a blessing and a curse.

Mail refugee appeal hits marvellous £10m: Keen musician, 11, whose treasured guitar, toys, school books and bicycle were destroyed when his home was bombed is among those to benefit from YOUR generosity

The Mail’s campaign in aid of Ukraine’s refugees today tops a staggering £10million thanks to our incredible readers.

March 31

Watch: Kyiv-based Banda on trying to work from a war zone

After enduring a month of conflict, Campaign virtually met Cannes Lions award-winning creative agency Banda to find out what life has been like under siege.

March 30

ITV’s Concert for Ukraine raises £13.4m

The event was created by ITV, STV and Livewire Pictures, and raised £4m in ad revenue.

March 28

Times are changing and we all need to be prepared

In his latest column for Times Enterprise Network, Sir Martin Sorrell, founder of the advertising groups S4 Capital and WPP, adjusts his thinking to the dramatic changes taking place in world trade.

March 25

How These Protest Posters Are Designed to Stop the War in Ukraine

Graphic designer Mykola Kovalenko on the series of posters he created to draw attention to Ukraine, with the hopes of stopping the war.

March 23

How British Businesses Can Help Ukrainians Find Work

The UK Advertising Association explains the ways that companies can support skilled individuals both remotely and after they’ve sought refuge in Britain.

March 21

Life in Ukrainian advertising: ‘The morning starts with texting the team to say I’m alive’

First-hand accounts of working in Ukrainian advertising amid the ceaseless daily barbarism of war.

Advertising jobs for Ukrainian refugees: what the industry is doing

The Advertising Association has launched a platform to help Ukrainian advertising professionals find employment in Europe.

March 18

Despair and shock: How advertising chiefs have been grappling with Russian exits

As agencies and brands continue to close down Russian operations and sanctions start to bite, many fear that it will be a long time before anyone can even think about reopening.

Ofcom revokes RT’s broadcast licence

Ofcom has revoked the Russian state-backed news broadcaster RT’s licence to broadcast in the UK with immediate effect.

Omnicom announces Russia exit in response to invasion of Ukraine

Agency holding company Omnicom has announced it is to withdraw from Russia.

War on Ukraine: How to help refugees find roles in marketing

As brands state their intention to open roles up to Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK, offering apprenticeships and access to remote roles are crucial ways to make a real difference.

Everyday images of Ukraine turn into ‘indestructible’ NFTs

Publicis-owned Performics Mercerbell launches a moving project to not just raise funds for Ukraine but to also preserve a slice of pre-war Ukraine.

Kyiv agency Angry takes real sounds of war to create ‘Anthem of true Russia’

The creative agency worked with Ukraine’s creative community and music producer Roger Leao to compile the powerful anthem.

March 17

Dentsu to exit Russia operation and transfer ownership to local JV partner

Japanese-owned group has 1,500 employees in Russia.

ITV signs up M&S as lead sponsor for Concert for Ukraine fundraiser

ITV is calling on advertisers to support the fundraiser. All sponsorship and ad revenue, in excess of £3m, will be donated to Disasters Emergency Committee.

As the iron curtain falls again, brands face tough decisions

We’re living through troubled times but advertisers touting themselves as purposeful brands must not punish quality journalism by pulling spend.

As WPP, IPG and Publicis pull out of Russia, here’s why some agencies are staying (for now)

With Publicis, IPG, WPP, Dentsu and Accenture all in the process of exiting Russia, we look at why their rivals might choose to stay operating in the country.

Our ongoing approach to the war in Ukraine

Like so many around the world, we’re disturbed and deeply saddened by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis unfolding there. Our top priority is to promote the safety of people on and off the service, and our teams are working diligently to that end.

March 16

Publicis pulls out of Russia and hands control of agencies to local management

French agency group, which employs 1,200 in Russia, exits over Ukraine war.

March 15

IPG suspends operations in Russia

CEO Philippe Krakowsky cited failed ceasefire talks and escalating attacks on civilians.

‘We are the people of Ukraine, and we thank you, world’ says creative agency Banda

As Russia invaded, Ukrainian creative agency Banda made a hard-hitting short film highlighting the devastating impact on the country.

March 14

Brands unite to display solidarity with Ukraine

Superbrands is holding a session on how brands can best support Ukraine at the Brand Finance Global Soft Power Summit. Find out more about the event here.

Watch: The Drum Show spotlights Ukraine’s fierce resistance in the disinformation war

The Drum has relaunched The Drum Show with a multipart series on the information war around Ukraine.

War in Ukraine: How brands are responding

Global brands including Coca-Cola and McDonald’s have now suspended operations in Russia, while three in four advertisers have reduced or cut ad spend since the war began.

When faced with seismic political events, the rule is ‘deeds, then words’

Brands should look first at how their business and people are impacted by social and geopolitical issues, and only speak publicly when their actions are already making a difference.

March 11

PBSC resources on Ukraine

In this time of humanitarian crisis, the Professional & Business Services sector wishes to make these three factsheets available for the use of anyone who needs them.

Three suspends Chelsea sponsorship deal after Abramovich sanctions

Current deal is set to expire at end of 2022/23 season.

‘The impact will be huge’: sponsors review Chelsea FC deals after Abramovich sanctions

Telecom brand Three has suspended its £40m-a-year sponsorship deal with Chelsea FC after the club was hit by sanctions against owner Roman Abramovich.

The Drum Show relaunches with Ukraine information war specials

The Drum has relaunched The Drum Show with a multipart series on the information war around Ukraine.

March 10

‘We’re in uncharted territory’: WFA chief on big brands pulling out of Russia

The chief executive of the World Federation of Advertisers, Stephan Loerke, spoke to Campaign.

Brand values will be tested by war

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, brands will find it increasingly difficult to follow a neutral path.

Crisis in Ukraine: How Brands Are Stepping Up to Help

A frequently updated list of corporate commitments as Russia’s deadly invasion disrupts countless lives.

March 9

APA raises more than £200,000 for Ukraine

The production body raised £196k in three days.

Unilever stops adspend and McDonald’s ‘pauses all operations’ in Russia

Growing wave of brands have halted some or all of their activities in Russia.

P&G pulls advertising from Russia

P&G has suspended its Russian operations, including the removal of all advertising, media and promotional activity from the region following president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

D&AD bans awards entries from Russia

Organisation U-turns on previous decision to accept entries from Russian companies as it pledges to support the Ukrainian creative community.

Campaign podcast: Industry reacts to the war in Ukraine

Ad and media agency chiefs discuss the support agency groups are providing staff in the country and how advertisers in the UK should respond.

‘The fear is indescribable’: testimonials of Havas staff in war-torn Ukraine

Four adlanders from a Havas affiliate in Ukraine shed light on their experiences of the Russian invasion.

March 8

‘Independent news’: initiative uses programmatic ads to bypass Russian censors

A team of more than 20 digital marketing experts have created the ads, which lead locals to responsible news outlets.

March 7

WPP shuts down Russian operations as it ‘condemns’ Ukraine invasion

Agency is working with Russian ‘people, clients and partners to consider all options including transfer of ownership and divestment’.

Cannes Lions bans award entries from Russia because of Ukraine war

Meanwhile, Ukrainian creatives will be welcomed free of charge.

On the ground in Ukraine: One agency shares its wartime experience

A week into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, staffers at Kyiv-based ad agency Bickerstaff provide a window into daily life under fire.

Havas Ukraine Team Shares Experiences of Russian Invasion

Alena, Julia, Daria and Inna share stories of bravely supporting soldiers with meals, using creativity to aid the resistance and pulling together with their loved ones and community.

March 4

Cannes Lions Bans Russian Delegates and Entries from 2022 Awards

Agencies and brands from the country will not be welcome at the event following the invasion of Ukraine.

March 3

Supporting Ukraine & the Ukrainian Production Community | What You Can Do

The APA is collecting money from its members and passing it on to Radioaktive, who are organising their support from their temporary base in Warsaw.

How Can the Creative World #StandWithUkraine?

Whether it’s resources, cash or ideas, Ukraine’s creative community can put your efforts to good use.

Agencies ramp up support for Ukrainian staff

Publicis Groupe has pledged a guaranteed salary for the rest of 2022.

The Client: Ukraine. The Brief: Prevent World War III

Ukraine’s creative industry is asking talent worldwide to join their campaign to end bloodshed and avert global disaster.

Here’s how ad agencies are responding to the invasion of Ukraine

Ad agency networks with offices and staff in Ukraine have been keeping a close eye on how to respond to the crisis.

Humanity trumps sentiment scores in times of war

Brands are again walking a tightrope between fiduciary and moral responsibility as the crisis unfolds in Ukraine.

The Sun creates Ukraine Fund to help women and children suffering from war

With five million caught up in the chaos of devastated towns and cities, the Ukraine Fund will help both those trapped and others fleeing the conflict.

March 1

How brands are taking action amid Ukraine crisis

Major brands are taking action to support Ukraine.

Ukrainian agency calls for international support with heartbreaking warzone film

Ukrainian creative agency Banda has made a hard-hitting film showing some of the devastating scenes that the country is currently facing.

February 28

Ukraine agency Banda creates harrowing film calling for international support

With the capital under siege, the Kyiv agency is asking supporters to post this video and #standwithukraine.

At times of war marketing is rendered superficial and ridiculous

Given what’s happening in the world right now, there are ways brands can respond without appearing tone deaf.

Comparethemarket removes Russian meerkat ads from TV news

The move comes as the site says it wants to be ‘sensitive’ to the situation in Ukraine.