The Campaign Podcast

What does the fan experience of the Fifa World Cup look like from the UK?

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 fandomFifa 2026’s longer tournament window presents a golden opportunity for fan activationsIdentity launches global sports propositionThe Year Ahead 2026: Cultural trendsThe Year Ahead 2026: ExperiencesCampaign calendar:Audio Advertising Awards: final entry deadline on 12th February, with multi-entry discounts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes an 'agency to watch'?

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 2026Seven creative agencies to watch in 2026Eight media agencies to watch in 2026If 'agencies to watch' grow into 'top agencies' and other conundrumsLePub launches in London led by Gina Hood‘The Grey-naissance’: Helen Rhodes plans ‘dollop of stupidity and naivety’ in Grey's return to creative gloryAce of Hearts: dealing adland a new hand Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is effective leadership in a time of change? With Mother, Publicis and Omnicom

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 warnsCreativity 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 dietGlobal sentiment towards sustainability has 'fallen off a cliff', Trainline marketer saysThe Year Ahead 2026: Ad agenciesThe Year Ahead 2026: CreativityThe Year Ahead 2026: SocialThe Year Ahead 2026: Cultural trendsThe Year Ahead 2026: Media ownersThe Year Ahead 2026: BrandsThe Year Ahead 2026: TechnologyThe Year Ahead 2026: Media agenciesComing up in the Campaign Calendar:Brand Film Awards: deadline on 29 JanuaryAudio Advertising Awards: second entry deadline on 29th January, with multi-entry discounts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes adland ‘optimistic’ for 2026?

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 dietGlobal sentiment towards sustainability has 'fallen off a cliff', Trainline marketer saysThe Year Ahead 2026: Ad agenciesThe Year Ahead 2026: CreativityThe Year Ahead 2026: SocialThe Year Ahead 2026: Cultural trendsThe Year Ahead 2026: Media ownersThe Year Ahead 2026: BrandsThe Year Ahead 2026: TechnologyThe Year Ahead 2026: Media agenciesCan we talk about the ethics of AI-fuelled advertising? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where are the new-business opportunities in 2026?

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 2026UK new-business rankings: latest 2025Two-thirds of CMOs 'definitely' pitching in next 12 monthsMars to switch $1.7bn media account out of WPPNatWest picks IPG as it consolidates media and creative accountSantander appoints Publicis to global creative and media businessStarling banks on network media agency after three-way contestPublicis agency swipes Monzo media account after BBH creative winAsda confirms media and creative agency appointmentsPublicis scoops Coca-Cola media in North AmericaComing up in the Campaign calendar: Brand Film Awards: deadline on 15 January Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.