This week: UK advertising in the media

In this weekly series we pull together, in one place, a selection of must-reads from across our industry media. Hope you find it a useful edit of another week in advertising!

The government’s HFSS online ad ban is a vote of no confidence in the ad industry

The consultation has also rejected a watershed system for online ads on spurious grounds.

It’s an ad for action: Our plan for a net zero transformation in advertising

Advertising Association president Keith Weed outlines the industry’s new action plan to decarbonise the UK advertising industry.

Advertising trade bodies to industry: get to net zero carbon by 2030

AA, IPA and ISBA launch five-point plan to eradicate carbon impact from development, production and media placement of advertising.

UK Advertising Launches Industry-wide Initiative Ad Net Zero

Advertising Association along with IPA and ISBA set a real net zero target set for end 2030.

It’s beginning to look a lot like… representation

What do this year’s Christmas ads tell us about how brands are addressing diversity and inclusion?

This Christmas brands are spreading a message beyond festive cheer

The 2020 crop of Christmas campaigns could be ushering in a new age of diversity in television ads.

Matt Salmon to exit Channel 4 after year as interim sales chief

Departure follows Verica Djurdjevic becoming chief revenue officer at broadcaster.

Sainsbury’s gives the stage to family memories in three-part Christmas campaign

Campaign by Wieden & Kennedy is a departure from the supermarket’s previous approach of releasing a single blockbuster film.

Tesco throws out Santa’s naughty list in Christmas ad with Britney Spears track

Work by BBH encourages people to indulge and have fun at the end of a tough year.

Lidl pokes fun at Christmas clichés and Aldi in ad focusing on ‘proper festive magic’

Rather than getting caught up in an “unrealistic” vision of Christmas, Lidl hopes its twin message of value and quality will resonate with consumers in search of a good time.

O2’s first Christmas campaign aims to show the ‘power of the imagination’

O2’s first foray into festive advertising features its brand mascot Bubl helping a young girl take part in the sport she loves despite lockdown.

Brands struggling to get a handle on woke capitalism

A new generation is demanding more than clever advertising from the world’s corporate giants.

Bullying: the industry must face up to endemic problem

Bullying within the ad industry is endemic, a situation, some argue, compounded by a “soft” management style. So will the introspection brought about by Covid instil less tolerance of bad behaviour or leave people more vulnerable to it?

Govt media spend on Covid-19 messaging hits £100m via MG OMD

Latest figures show government spent £26.8m in September.

How President Biden might change social media regulation

The landmark US law that makes social media networks and tech platforms immune from liability for what users post on them will change under President Joe Biden’s forthcoming administration, The Drum columnist Samuel Scott predicts. Here is some insight into what may occur.

Amazon predicted to bag 65% of UK Black Friday sales as lockdown drives shoppers online

Amazon is heading for a bumper Black Friday as lockdown-battered high streets, malls and retail parks cede trade to the online behemoth.

‘Humaning’ and the greatest marketing bullshit of all time

Mondelēz’s promise to “stop marketing and start humaning” is a new entry into the all-time marketing bullshit top 10, an exclusive list only the most delusional, out-of-touch and supremely earnest can hope to make.

Britain’s advertising industry has effectively been nationalised

Has the advertising industry been nationalised? It certainly looks that way. The run-up to Christmas is usually the time for UK advertisers to spend big. But not this year.

Moray MacLennan ascends to the throne at M&C Saatchi PLC

M&C Saatchi PLC is set to promote long-term lieutenant Moray MacLennan to chief executive, as the company’s last remaining founders bow out.

John Lewis languishes behind Disney and Coke in emotional response ranking

Is the AKQA and Grey merger proof that ad agencies are in decline?

The merging of AKQA and Grey could suggest that the future lies in more digitally led agencies rather than the more traditional advertising networks.

Consumers ‘on edge’ as confidence dips to spring lockdown levels

There are persistent fears over personal finances amid tightening Covid-19 restrictions that have put consumers on edge ahead of Christmas shopping.

For gender equality to succeed, men need to see its benefits

Flexible working is giving men a better work/life balance and more career opportunities for women, which needs encouragement, and the ditching of ‘alpha male’ stereotypes.

Playstation shapes up London Tube roundels with neon gaming icons ahead of PS5 launch

To mark the arrival of the Playstation 5 console, Sony had a 48-hour neon takeover of the London Tube.

A Pandemic Production: How 2020’s crop of UK Christmas Crackers Came to Be

Find out how some of this year’s festive adverts were made to feel warm and cosy from the Production experts

Millie Bobby Brown Brings the Holiday Spirit for Pandora’s Sick Animation

Watch Pandora’s new Christmas advert starring Millie Bobby Brown with the feel-good brand film.