The Campaign podcast

WPP announced a new strategy and structure last week, on Thursday 26 February, as the company hopes to turn its fate around, while reporting its worst financial performance since the pandemic.  Campaign's editor-in-chief Gideon Spanier interviewed WPP's chief executive officer Cindy Rose on the three phrase plan "Elevate28" which includes £500m in cost savings and transitioning the business from a holding company structure to a single company with four core divisions – WPP Media, WPP Creative, WPP Production and WPP Enterprise Solutions. These will be led across four regions globally. In this episode, the Campaign team breaks down the announcements and what it means for WPP’s agencies, look at how the company compares to its competitors and discuss if Rose's plan will work. Tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley hosts the episode which includes Spanier alongside editor Maisie McCabe and deputy media editor Shauna Lewis. Further reading: WPP Media and VML drive 8% UK decline for WPP WPP Creative will 'not sunset' agency brands Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Campaign has released the A List – a compilation of over 200 industry leaders and their musings on the year gone and year ahead. In 2025, the advertising and marketing industry underwent some huge organisational shifts. With revenue declines and share price drops, job cuts, leadership changes and legacy agencies changing their names, 2026 marks a new era for the industry. In this episode, the Campaign team discuss some of the A Listers' perspectives, including how to be innovative in uncertain times, and what outfits they wear to a pitch. Hosted by tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley, this episode includes deputy editor Gemma Charles, editor-in-chief Gideon Spanier and deputy creativity and culture editor Charlotte Rawlings.  Further reading: The 2026 A List: 'Massive fuckin' traitors', 'Method Pitchers' and AI-induced boredom Half of VCCP's current jobs didn't exist at launch, CEO says The A List and it’s completely different but it’s also still the A List Campaign A List 2026: How leaders are planning for success in surprising times Can we talk about how you get into Campaign's 2027 A List? In Pictures: Campaign A List party 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Media planners and buyers, like many in adland, have been tackling a period of immense change. AI, media fragmentation and budget restraints are all impacting the roles within media. At the end of January Campaign hosted Media Week Live, a conference for media planners and buyers, discussing how their roles are changing and what the future of the media agency looks like. Leaders from X, Pinterest, Omnicom, WPP, Publicis and the National Theatre joined to share their perspectives from the top. Campaign's media journalists hosted the event: media editor Beau Jackson and deputy media editor Shauna Lewis. The pair join tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley to discuss the future of the media planner and buyer, what part creativity plays in the media plan, how media planners work alongside AI and what challenges media agency leaders are facing this year. Further reading: What does it take to be a media agency chief investment officer? 'Frustrating' and 'disappointing': media buyers on Google's action against Kantar Media and Barb The Lists 2025: Top 10 media buyers ‘The weather is changing’: How much should publishers fret about Google AI Overviews? Will media buyers be the first victims of AI? Media buying among 'first areas to go' with rise of AI, says MediaMonks co-founder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the Super Bowl LX over the weekend, David Kolbusz, chief creative officer at Orchard Creative; Helen Rhodes, chief creative officer at Grey London; and Josh Green, chief creative officer of Elvis review a selection of the ads in this week's episode of The Campaign Podcast.  Hosted by Campaign’s creativity and culture editor Gurjit Degun, the trio critique work from Instacart, Anthropic, Squarespace, E.l.f Cosmetics, Pringles, Dove and Bud Light.  They also comment on whether this year’s ads are better than those of previous years. Kolbusz said: "The theme for me this year was that people are starting to figure out the Super Bowl again. I think the last five or so years have just been an absolute tragedy." Further reading: Super Bowl 2026 round-up: watch the ads Pringles "Can hands" by Grey London  Campaign calendar: Audio Advertising Awards: final entry deadline on 12th February, with multi-entry discounts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FIFA World Cup really is bigger this year, taking place in Summer across 39 days, taking place in 16 cities across the US, Mexico and Canada. While all the on-pitch fun is happening across the Atlantic, how can brands across the pond engage UK audiences effectively and authentically? In this episode of The Campaign Podcast, Campaign welcomes guest Lizi Hamer, the global executive creative director at Octagon to discuss some of the biggest mistakes brands make when creating brand experiences around the World Cup, and why advertisers should be thinking community first, not country first. Tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley hosts the episode with Campaign's deputy editor Gemma Charles and creativity and culture editor Charlotte Rawlings. Further reading: Beyond borders: why countries don’t define modern fandom Fifa 2026’s longer tournament window presents a golden opportunity for fan activations Identity launches global sports proposition The Year Ahead 2026: Cultural trends The Year Ahead 2026: Experiences Campaign calendar: Audio Advertising Awards: final entry deadline on 12th February, with multi-entry discounts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Campaign's "agencies to watch" lists the top media, creative and new shops that are likely to have an impact in the next 12 months. This episode discusses the chosen agencies, how the lists have changed from 2025, and what makes an agency worth watching, or not. While these lists are not an endorsement of each agency, they have been chosen because these shops went through big changes last year. This episode of The Campaign Podcast is hosted by Lucy Shelley and features editor Maisie McCabe, creativity and culture editor Gurjit Degun and deputy media editor Shauna Lewis. Further reading: Eight new agencies to watch in 2026 Seven creative agencies to watch in 2026 Eight media agencies to watch in 2026 If 'agencies to watch' grow into 'top agencies' and other conundrums LePub launches in London led by Gina Hood ‘The Grey-naissance’: Helen Rhodes plans ‘dollop of stupidity and naivety’ in Grey's return to creative glory Ace of Hearts: dealing adland a new hand Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2025 saw an incredible amount of change and pressure for the industry and its agencies – steering the ship through heavy storms has become even tougher. At Campaign's Year Ahead Breakfast Briefing in The National Gallery, editor Maisie McCabe led a discussion on leadership in a time of change, interviewing Dan Clays, CEO of Omnicom Media Group EMEA, Katie Mackay Sinclair global chief brand officer at Mother, and Magnus Djaba, chief client officer and Publicis Groupe.   The panel discusses the impact of AI, structural shifts within agencies and how people should care for each other during timed of change. The Year Ahead Breakfast Briefing featured adland leaders talking about the trends and strategies for 2026, across creativity, technology, leadership, brands and media. Further reading: Agencies need to be AI literate to keep up with clients, Gravity Road global ECD warns Creativity will see a return to ‘raw human honesty’ in 2026, Kyle Harman-Turner says 'Isn't it boring spending in the same place?': the case for a diverse media diet Global sentiment towards sustainability has 'fallen off a cliff', Trainline marketer says The Year Ahead 2026: Ad agencies The Year Ahead 2026: Creativity The Year Ahead 2026: Social The Year Ahead 2026: Cultural trends The Year Ahead 2026: Media owners The Year Ahead 2026: Brands The Year Ahead 2026: Technology The Year Ahead 2026: Media agencies Coming up in the Campaign Calendar: Brand Film Awards: deadline on 29 January Audio Advertising Awards: second entry deadline on 29th January, with multi-entry discounts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adland leaders announced their optimism at last week's Year Ahead Breakfast Briefing in The National Gallery, talking about the trends and strategies across creativity, technology, leadership, brands and media for 2026. Martin Beverley, co-founder and chief startegist at Ace of Hearts spoke about the importance of joy, while Netflix's head of advertising sales Ed Couchman said 2026 will be the year of fandom as consumers are wanting more from brands. Gravity Road's global executive creative director said agencies need to be AI literate to keep up with clients, while creativity will see a return to "raw human honesty" in 2026, said Kyle Harman-Turner, creative partner and executive creative director at FCB London. In this episode, Campaign's journalists who were at the event and on the panels dig into what the industry’s leaders predict for 2026, and why. Tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley is joined by deputy editor Gemma Charles, premium content editor Nicola Merrifield and deputy creativity and culture editor Charlotte Rawlings. Further reading: 'Isn't it boring spending in the same place?': the case for a diverse media diet Global sentiment towards sustainability has 'fallen off a cliff', Trainline marketer says The Year Ahead 2026: Ad agencies The Year Ahead 2026: Creativity The Year Ahead 2026: Social The Year Ahead 2026: Cultural trends The Year Ahead 2026: Media owners The Year Ahead 2026: Brands The Year Ahead 2026: Technology The Year Ahead 2026: Media agencies Can we talk about the ethics of AI-fuelled advertising? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Campaign LOVES a pitch story, and the tail end of last year was very busy with many pitches taking place or being won right up to the final week. WPP won the £1.5bn government media pitch and the expanded review for Jaguar Land Rover, as well as media for Kenvue, while Publicis Groupe picked up the creative for the consumer healthcare company. Aviva's creative account went to Saatchi & Saatchi and the shortlist for IKEA was announced with Just Eat also yet to conclude. In this episode, Campaign digs into the state of new business last year, and where the opportunities lie in 2026, examining which sectors and disciplines will likely see more pitches over the next 12 months. Tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley hosts the episode featuring Campaign's editor-in-chief Gideon Spanier, data journalist for Campaign Red Jamie Rossouw and deputy news editor, Marianne Calnan-Holland. Further reading: The CMO Outlook 2026 UK new-business rankings: latest 2025 Two-thirds of CMOs 'definitely' pitching in next 12 months Mars to switch $1.7bn media account out of WPP NatWest picks IPG as it consolidates media and creative account Santander appoints Publicis to global creative and media business Starling banks on network media agency after three-way contest Publicis agency swipes Monzo media account after BBH creative win Asda confirms media and creative agency appointments Publicis scoops Coca-Cola media in North America Coming up in the Campaign calendar: Brand Film Awards: deadline on 15 January Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the "happy new years" ring out, what resolutions are those in adland setting for 2026? Last year unleashed a relentless wave of change across the advertising and media industry, from agency mergers and closing shops to restructures, the growing prominence of social and tech platforms, and some great creative work.  Now, in 2026, Campaign begins the year with a look at what adland’s new year resolutions should be, what the industry should give up and what is coming up in 2026. Over the next few weeks, Campaign is releasing essays on the year ahead and the top agencies to watch. Editor-in-chief Gideon Spanier, deputy creativity and culture editor Charlotte Rawlings and deputy media editor Shauna Lewis join the episode, hosted by tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley. Further reading: The Year Ahead 2026: Media agencies The Year Ahead 2026: Strategy The Lists 2025: Top 20 film ads The Lists 2024: Top 10 campaigns Has 2025 been the year for independent agencies? Traitor or faithful – what will adland remember about 2025? Will the new Omnicom work? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does January feel like a week ago or five years? The past 12 months have brought with them a lot – a mega-deal, cyber attacks, agencies renamed, new chief executives, trends fading in and out, redundancies and, of course, AI. In the final podcast episode of the year, Campaign takes a look back over 2025 at some of the most memorable moments of the year, revisiting the top stories, reviewing who was the most talked about and picking out those moments that would be better forgotten. Tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley hosts the episode and is joined by Campaign UK media editor Beau Jackson, reporter Eszter Gurbicz and editor Maisie McCabe. Further reading: Lucky Generals: ‘A creative company for people on a mission: that is still our north star’ White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood will no longer appear in M&S Christmas ad Santander appoints Publicis to global creative and media business WPP recruits Microsoft exec Cindy Rose to replace Mark Read as CEO Campaign's top 10 most read stories: Group M tells staff about redundancies as restructure hits UK WPP mandates four days per week in office Omnicom reveals huge agency shake-up, unveils new leadership, cuts 4000 jobs Agency pay revealed: a squeezed middle and a boost for bosses School Reports 2025: A to Z WPP employees push back on return-to-office policy with petition Revealed: Latest hybrid working policies across 'big six' agency groups WPP Media unveils new UK leadership structure under Brian Lesser overhaul Group M axes global agency CEO roles in major centralisation push WPP set to drop Group M brand in media shake-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Waitrose, John Lewis, Tesco... the Christmas ads are all out and it's time for them to start selling. But what do adland's creative leaders make of the campaigns? Creativity and culture editor Gurjit Degun hosts this extra Private View episode of The Campaign Podcast, reviewing the top festive ads with David Kolbusz, chief creative officer at Orchard, Chaka Sobhani, the newly appointed global chief creative officer at TBWAWorldwide, Richard Brim, founder and chief creative officer of Ace of Hearts, and Campaign’s UK editor Maisie McCabe.  Talking through the craft, creative and ideas behind the ads, they discuss the following campaigns: John Lewis & Partners "Where love lives" by Saatchi & Saatchi Waitrose "The perfect gift" by Wonderhood Studios Tesco "That's what makes it Christmas" by BBH Asda "A very merry Grinchmas" by Lucky Generals Apple “A critter carol” by TBWAMedia Arts Lab Peta "Happy Christmassacre" by Grey London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Omnicom completed its acquisition of IPG on Wednesday 26 November after clearing EU regulation. On the Monday that followed (1 December) the new holding company revealed a huge restructure including 4000 job cuts to happen by the end of the year, agencies merging, new leadership announced and some networks ceasing to exist. In this episode of The Campaign Podcast, Campaign's editorial team discuss the shape of the new holding company, which agencies are left and what chief executive John Wren is hoping will make it succeed against its competitors.  Hosted by tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley, the episode features editor-in-chief Gideon Spanier, editor Maisie McCabe and news editor Will Green. Further reading: John Wren’s ‘defining moment’: can the last King of Madison Avenue make the new Omnicom work? John Wren on how Omnicom ‘will succeed’: more collaboration, new bonuses, big job cuts Omnicom consolidates global advertising agencies into TBWA, McCann and BBDO Omnicom keeps six media networks but switches global CEOs to brand presidents Adam & Eve/DDB to merge with TBWALondon and FCB to fold into AMV BBDO Omnicom Media promotes Natalie Bell and Katrina Bozicevich following IPG deal FCB's Tyler Turnbull set to be appointed CEO of McCann Worldgroup Chaka Sobhani set for new role after Omnicom acquires IPG Omnicom-IPG: How merger will reshape the competition Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the start of the year, 2025 was predicted by some adland commentators to be the year for independent agencies. Omnicom was beginning to acquire IPG to make the largest holding company, redundancies occurred across some of the networks and WPP had a more-than-difficult year on top of a new chief executive. 2025 has seen the launch of many independent agencies including Ace of Hearts, Studio.One and Baby Teeth, while Ark Agency and Uncharted came into their second year. Plus, IPG sold R/GA and Huge separately to private equity, also becoming independent.  So now the year is almost up, Campaign's editorial team discuss whether independent media and creative agencies have benefited from distraction caused by the holding companies. Tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley hosts the episode and is joined by creativity and culture editor Gurjit Degun, media editor Beau Jackson and editor Maisie McCabe. Further reading: Omnicom reveals huge agency shake-up, unveils new leadership, cuts 4000 jobs Ace of Hearts: dealing adland a new hand Troy Ruhanen: 'I wouldn't have taken OAG job if it was all about efficiency and smashing things' Group M tells staff about redundancies as restructure hits UK Omnicom cut 3000 roles during 2024 ahead of IPG takeover move Mega merger adds to existing questions for Interpublic Global agency groups 2024 report card: Performances and staff numbers decline as restructures continue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christmas ads keep snowing down across TV, social, live experiences and digital channels. With the multiplicity of formats and audiences fragmenting, does TV still reign as the top channel for festive films? In this episode of The Campaign Podcast, Campaign's editorial team gather to discuss the next round of Christmas ads, including Waitrose's "The perfect gift" by Wonderhood Studios, Tesco's "That's what makes it Christmas" by BBH and Disney's holiday short by Adam&Eve/DDB. Tesco and M&S Fashion, Home and Beauty replaced their longer TV ad with a series of shorter videos, while Waitrose produced a four minute rom-com style short film. Campaign's creativity team, creativity and culture editor Gurjit Degun and deputy creativity and culture editor Charlotte Rawlings, join editor Maisie McCabe to discuss why brands have altered the ‘typical’ Christmas ad format and it's role in the wider channel mix alongside social. Tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley hosted the episode. Further reading: Waitrose’s festive film the most watched 8pm slot on TV on 12 November Why Waitrose's 'The perfect gift' went rom-com for Christmas cut-through Waitrose & Partners turns BFI Imax into 'Piemax' Give the people what they want: the strategy behind Waitrose & Partners' Christmas campaign M&S celebrates beauty of hosting in next phase of festive campaign White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood will no longer appear in M&S Christmas ad How are the LHF restrictions affecting Christmas ads and beyond? What trends are shaping this year's Christmas ads season? Christmas 2025 round-up: watch all the festive ads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where are all the mince pies? Still in Christmas advertising it seems, despite the Less Healthy Food and drink (LHF) restrictions. The voluntary period banning foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) began on 1 October this year for paid online ads and TV with a 9pm watershed, just in time for a snowstorm of Christmas advertising. As of 5 January 2026, the voluntary period ends and it will be compulsory for brands. In this episode, Campaign's editorial team discuss the festive ads from big brands like Waitrose, Tesco and M&S Food, and how the restrictions have impacted their creative campaigns and media plans. Are the ads devoid of Christmas food, or have brands found loopholes to feature their less healthy food products? Hosted by tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley, this episode includes creativity and culture editor Gurjit Degun, deputy creativity and culture editor Charlotte Rawlings and media editor Beau Jackson. Further reading: ‘Selling more than what’s on the kitchen table’: Adland predicts how the LHF ban will impact Christmas Christmas 2025 round-up: watch all the festive ads Is adland ready for the less healthy food ad restrictions? How to avoid detention over less healthy food ad rules ISBA warns NHS' 10 Year Health Plan could mean more products may be covered by LHF rules Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christmas has hit adland like a snowball in the face, with the festive ads coming in thick and fast, so what can be gleaned from the first phase of holiday advertising? In this episode of The Campaign Podcast, the editorial team break down the themes that emerged in the first batch of Christmas ads and the industry’s reaction to the campaigns so far. Tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley is joined in the studio by creativity and culture editor Gurjit Degun, deputy creativity and culture editor Charlotte Rawlings and editor Maisie McCabe. This episode was recorded last week, and discusses the following ads: John Lewis & Partners “Where love lives” by Saatchi & Saatchi Sainsbury’s “The unexpected guest” by New Commercial Arts Marks & Spencer Food “Traffic jamming” (in-house) M&S Fashion, Home and Beauty "Give the gift" by Mother TK Maxx "Festive Farm" by Wieden & Kennedy London (2023) Amazon "Joy ride" made in-house Asda “A very merry Grinchmas” by Lucky Generals Boots “Gift happily ever after” by VML/The Pharm Further reading: Christmas 2025 round-up: watch all the festive ads John Lewis Christmas ad reaction: 'Soft nostalgia', 'middle of the pack', 'copy magic' ‘We made the music the gift’: Saatchis and John Lewis on nostalgia, emotion and 1990s bangers 'Brilliant brand fit' BFG stars in Sainsbury’s Christmas ad What do you think of the first wave of Christmas ads? What are your hopes for this year’s crop of Christmas ads? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Advertisers have been pulling investment from newsbrands and trusted journalism for years. The latest AA/Warc figures show that national and regional newsbrands, along with magazines, have suffered the steepest declines in adspend across all channels, while tech platforms continue to claim a growing share of the market. However, the figures suggest this decline will slow in 2026, and this year's Media Week Awards was a successful night for many newsbrands, including The Telegraph, which took home the coveted Sales Team of the Year. This episode of The Campaign Podcast asks whether advertisers are moving away from trusted journalism or alternatively whether newsbrands are fighting back and seeing a resurgence. James Bailey, UK chief executive of Dentsu’s iProspect, joins the episode alongside Adam Foley, chief executive of independent agency Bountiful Cow and former director of UK advertising for the Guardian as well as founder of the News Alliance, a cross-industry coalition to encourage advertisers to support trusted news and journalism. Hosted by Campaign's tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley, this episode includes UK editor-in-chief Gideon Spanier and deputy media editor Shauna Lewis. Further reading: 'Utterly ruinous': media agency boss on the impact of ad blocking on news brands Media 360: Media industry is ‘sentencing news to death’ and ignoring its effectiveness Majority of execs believe brand safety in news harms advertisers Ahead of Trump's second term, Meta to scrap fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram News needs you Mars and Unilever on 'moral and business responsibility' to improve online safety Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WPP, Publicis Groupe, Omnicom, Interpublic, Havas and Dentsu have hitherto been known to adland as the "big six". However, the past year has brought the announcement of a proposed merger between Omnicom and IPG, while Havas and Dentsu have become comparatively smaller. So, the "big six" become the "big three", but is there another challenger? Accenture Song's latest results reported revenues of $20bn (£15bn) in the 12 months to August, putting it on par with Omnicom’s $16bn, Publicis’ €16bn ($19bn) and WPP’s £15bn ($20bn). The business has picked up the $42m media account for Optus in Australia and remains in the running for Jaguar Land Rover’s global integrated marketing account. With significant changes among the biggest holding companies continuing to shift the advertising landscape, some have questioned whether it is the end of the "big six", heralding the start of a new "big four". In this week's episode of The Campaign Podcast, Campaign's editor-in-chief Gideon Spanier, UK editor Maisie McCabe and media editor Beau Jackson, examine the potential outcomes. The episode is hosted by tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley. Further reading: Accenture is at a crossroads for its global agency ambitions What's next for Accenture Song? CEO Ndidi Oteh at Campaign Live ‘Song is changing Accenture’: CEO Ndidi Oteh on media, M&A and ‘Big Four’ agency rivalry Omnicom now ‘confident’ IPG deal will close in November as EU approval nears Yannick Bolloré on Havas’ Q3 ‘acceleration’, Dentsu’s assets and being ‘open’ to M&A Havas ‘could be interested’ to buy or partner with some of Dentsu’s international assets Arthur Sadoun on why Publicis is ‘winning’ and how ‘struggling’ rivals have dragged down agency valuations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of The Campaign Podcast explores whether marketers are using AI to do work traditionally done by their agencies and examines what clients are – and aren’t – doing with AI. It comes as Campaign launches the Power 100, the list of the most powerful marketers in the UK. This year they were asked questions designed to tease out where they are on their AI journeys. Presented by deputy editor Gemma Charles, guests on the podcast were premium content editor Nicola Merrifield, acting commissioning editor Louise Ridley and Will Hanschell, the co-founder and chief executive of generative AI platform Pencil that was acquired by The Brandtech Group in 2023. Further reading: Power 100 2025: AI – giving marketers 'superpowers' Power 100 2025: the full list Campaign Power 100 2025 Hall of Fame revealed An inside job: when and how Power 100 marketers are going in-house Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.