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 Brexit, HFSS and gambling advertising, data and e-privacy, trust, the digital charter and our Industrial Strategy campaigns.

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 50 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.

THIS WEEK: UK ADVERTISING IN THE MEDIA

/ March 19th 2021
Industry News

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!

UK advertising exports hit record £11bn ahead of Covid slump

UK advertising exports grew to a record £11bn in 2019, new figures have shown, highlighting the strong growth of the sector before a pandemic-induced slump.

Results from the IPA Census have been published

The results show that Covid-19 has ‘exaggerated existing negative trends’, such as lack of gender equality and ageism.

Sue Unerman discusses inclusion

Sue highlights that if you have ever felt left out, you can empathise with those who feel like they don’t belong and make sure your team is all-inclusive.

Consumer Confidence grows

Marketing Week writes that consumer confidence is increasing.

What is COP26 and why is the climate change conference so important?

The “COP” — the “conference of the parties” — is the overall decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

We’re ready to become net-zero heroes by 2050 (but only if the price is right)

Voters in two focus groups are keen to cut their carbon footprints but want to know how they can afford it.

How to have a sustainable diet, plus the 30 best eco foods

The food industry has lots of less resource-intensive ways to tempt you, says Lucy Siegle. So Harry Wallop finds the best.

Want to modernise TV trading? Advertisers must take the lead, ITV says

In a significant intervention, the trading boss of Britain’s biggest commercial broadcaster says reform of TV ad sales is essential and calls on advertisers to start the conversation.

ASA threatens to take action against Instagram’s ‘non-compliant’ influencers

Watchdog chief executive said there is ‘simply no excuse’ for poor labelling on paid content.

News brands double the effectiveness of social media and drive brand trust

Effectiveness guru Peter Field analysed 182 campaigns as part of research commissioned by Newsworks.

Key takeaways from Google’s 2020 ad safety report as hate and fraud cases increase

Google has released its annual Ads Safety Report, which details how it policed its service during a pandemic.

Direct Line’s Mark Evans: ‘There is a risk in mixing politics and brand building’

Brands boycotting media owners and channels over ethical concerns run the risk of being exposed as hypocrites, warns Mark Evans.

Pick of the Week: Nike celebrates the strength of mothers’ bodies

Nike’s ad reflects the journey that activewear brands have been on to transform how they represent women.

Paul W.S. Anderson’s Lessons from Hollywood and Adland

With Monster Hunter being released this year in many markets as cinemas open back up, the director discusses his movie career and the lessons he’s learned from making ads as well as silver-screen epics.

Sting lends voice to jazzy World Down Syndrome Day ode urging inclusivity

Sting, of The Police fame, has helped mark World Down Syndrome Day with a new advert showcasing the ripple effects of inclusivity.

Hats off: Richard Powell to retire as director of History of Advertising Trust

During Powell’s four-year tenure, HAT become the world’s largest advertising archive.

MSQ acquires digital marketing agency MBA

MBA (our UKAEG member) will merge with an existing MSQ agency Stack.

Changing the weather

The Uncommon founder argues all brands – particularly the big ones – should grab the opportunities of sustainability.

Government unveils new Industrial Strategy to spur decarbonisation and create green jobs

The UK Government has today (17 March) revamped the Industrial Strategy to align manufacturing and construction efforts to the national net-zero target, with more than £1bn to funnelled into industry, schools and hospitals.

Apple’s AirPods Pro Spot Will Have You Jumping Along to the Beat

Imperial Woodpecker’s Sam Brown directs a never-ending game of double dutch.

Cannes no-show leaves Ascential with £167m loss

The owner of the Cannes Lions advertising festival has reported steep losses after it was forced to axe the event last summer.

Which ad networks were the biggest winners and losers in 2020?

The dawn of a new financial year allows us to sift through the wreckage of 2020 and quantify the relative performance of all the top global advertising networks during a period of abrupt and far-reaching change.

Meatless Farm partners with Real Madrid for conversion campaign

Football players will share their experiences of reducing their meat intake.

‘Sex never gets old’: Vaginal dryness brand wins TfL ad diversity prize tackling ageism

Replens MD, an intimate moisturiser brand, has won £500,000 of advertising space across the Transport for London network, while Brompton Bicycle takes home second place.

New-business appointments fell two-fifths in 2020

Number of new-business enquiries among agencies has now returned to pre-lockdown levels, AAR New Business Pulse finds.

Former US Presidents and First Ladies Say ‘It’s Up To You’ in Covid Vaccine PSAs

The Ad Council launches latest PSAs featuring Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter

Dulux dog celebrates 60th anniversary as the brand jumps on decorating boom

Dulux is targeting renters as it looks to capitalise on the decorating boom triggered by the pandemic, as the brand celebrates its 90th anniversary and 60 years of its Old English Sheepdog mascot.

What does sustainable business leadership look like in 2021? edie publishes results of flagship survey

edie has today published a comprehensive report breaking down exactly what ‘business leadership’ looks like as the UK strives to build back from the coronavirus pandemic through a green recovery focused on low-carbon ambitions and a just transition.

What the UN learned from its crowd-sourced Covid comms campaign that united nations

At the height of the Covid crisis, the United Nations sent out an urgent call to arms to the creative community, urging them to use their collective might to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Starting gun fired for new government ad roster

Bids due in by 21 April for places on next strategic agency framework.

Three-quarters of adlanders would consider returning to office before getting vaccine

Campaign poll reveals staff at media owners are the most willing to take the risk.