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.

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 agenciesThe Year Ahead 2026: StrategyThe Lists 2025: Top 20 film adsThe Lists 2024: Top 10 campaignsHas 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.

From Gen Z to Boomers, age has long been a marketing shortcut – but is it still useful? Campaign’s Lucy Shelley and Amazon Ads’ Carly Zipp unpack how brands can connect through shared interests and values instead. 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 adSantander appoints Publicis to global creative and media businessWPP recruits Microsoft exec Cindy Rose to replace Mark Read as CEOCampaign's top 10 most read stories:Group M tells staff about redundancies as restructure hits UKWPP mandates four days per week in officeOmnicom reveals huge agency shake-up, unveils new leadership, cuts 4000 jobsAgency pay revealed: a squeezed middle and a boost for bossesSchool Reports 2025: A to ZWPP employees push back on return-to-office policy with petitionRevealed: Latest hybrid working policies across 'big six' agency groupsWPP Media unveils new UK leadership structure under Brian Lesser overhaulGroup M axes global agency CEO roles in major centralisation pushWPP 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 TBWA\Worldwide, 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 & SaatchiWaitrose "The perfect gift" by Wonderhood StudiosTesco "That's what makes it Christmas" by BBHAsda "A very merry Grinchmas" by Lucky GeneralsApple “A critter carol” by TBWA\Media Arts LabPeta "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 cutsOmnicom consolidates global advertising agencies into TBWA, McCann and BBDOOmnicom keeps six media networks but switches global CEOs to brand presidentsAdam & Eve/DDB to merge with TBWA\London and FCB to fold into AMV BBDOOmnicom Media promotes Natalie Bell and Katrina Bozicevich following IPG dealFCB's Tyler Turnbull set to be appointed CEO of McCann WorldgroupChaka Sobhani set for new role after Omnicom acquires IPGOmnicom-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 jobsAce of Hearts: dealing adland a new handTroy 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 UKOmnicom cut 3000 roles during 2024 ahead of IPG takeover moveMega merger adds to existing questions for InterpublicGlobal 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 NovemberWhy Waitrose's 'The perfect gift' went rom-com for Christmas cut-throughWaitrose & Partners turns BFI Imax into 'Piemax'Give the people what they want: the strategy behind Waitrose & Partners' Christmas campaignM&S celebrates beauty of hosting in next phase of festive campaignWhite Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood will no longer appear in M&S Christmas adHow 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 ChristmasChristmas 2025 round-up: watch all the festive adsIs adland ready for the less healthy food ad restrictions?How to avoid detention over less healthy food ad rulesISBA 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 & SaatchiSainsbury’s “The unexpected guest” by New Commercial ArtsMarks & Spencer Food “Traffic jamming” (in-house)M&S Fashion, Home and Beauty "Give the gift" by MotherTK Maxx "Festive Farm" by Wieden & Kennedy London (2023)Amazon "Joy ride" (in-house) (2023)Asda “A very merry Grinchmas” by Lucky GeneralsBoots “Gift happily ever after” by VML/The PharmFurther reading:Christmas 2025 round-up: watch all the festive adsJohn 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 adWhat 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.