Does Publicis' PepsiCo coup mean pitching is changing?

Omnicom has moved to centralise impact and inclusion capabilities at group level. This led to Lucky Generals cutting its social impact lead Lameya Chaudhury.Other holding companies including WPP and Publicis also have central DEI teams, so in this episode we are asking what it means to “centralise inclusion” and the impacts of doing so.Hosted by Campaign's tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley, this episode includes Dino Myers-Lamptey, founder at The Barber Shop and trustee of Brixton Finishing School, former media editor Beau Jackson and data journalist Jamie Rossouw.Further reading:Professor Arday’s death should make brands consider the media ecosystem they fundPodcast: Should an agency be judged by its diversity?Xavier Rees: Adland leaders have “responsibility to speak up for inclusivity” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the last two weeks, adland has seen some major changes for two of the biggest global media accounts: PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. In a shock move, Publicis Groupe took PepsiCo’s global media account from longtime incumbent Omnicom without a pitch, and pulled out of the contest for Coca-Cola’s international media, tech and data account in a two way pitch against WPP. As a result of Publicis taking rival Pepsico’s global account, Coke’s North America media account is now set to review with Omnicom and Dentsu understood to be in the running, and WPP not competing.In this episode, Campaign's tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley is joined by editor-in-chief Gideon Spanier and UK editor Maisie McCabe to look into how Publicis managed to swipe PepsiCo's business without any pitch and what it means for purpose and value of the pitch process.Further reading:Omnicom ‘proud’ of PepsiCo media work as it reels from global loss and stock drops 5%WPP closing in on Coca-Cola’s international media, data and tech accountPepsi-Publicis coup will change how other brands and agency groups behave Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final three months of the year are some of the most important in adland. Known as the golden quarter, the year closes with a final push to meet targets, helped by some of the biggest commercial moments of the year including Black Friday and of course, Christmas.In this episode, Campaign is looking into how agencies and advertisers should approach the final three months, what their top priorities are and how this golden quarter will be different from previous years.Hosted by tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley, the episode includes Campaign's editor-in-chief Gideon Spanier, UK editor Maisie McCabe and creativity and culture editor Gurjit Degun.Plus, Campaign has today (8 September) launched a new website with a refreshed look and revamped navigation.Further reading:Will Andy Burnham’s social media strategy work?UK competition watchdog launches inquiry into Sky/ITV dealWill ITV generate enough ad revenue to earn £200m payout from Sky?'One of the biggest shake-ups in UK TV': the potential impact of Sky-ITVIs there a new 'big four' in adland?Publicis pulls out of Coca-Cola global media pitch after PepsiCo winPepsiCo appoints Publicis Groupe to global media without a pitch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Waitrose's branded podcast recently passed one billion downloads, views and listens, staking a claim as the world’s most successful branded podcast, while also receiving the most nominations for this year's British Podcast Awards. Media and entertainment are becoming more ever closer, so in this episode, Campaign digs into why branded content is on the rise, what makes it good and questions whether Dish’s success can be achieved by other brands. The team discusses how brands don't want to "rent" their audiences, but own them, the struggle of too many chief executives wanting to be on the podcast and how branded content performs compared to other forms of media.Hosted by tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley, this episode features Lucinda Rouse, multimedia editor of Campaign’s innovation team, deputy media editor Shauna Lewis and deputy creativity and culture editor Charlotte Rawlings.Further reading:Aardman moves into branded content partnershipsLBC sees record quarter amid geopolitical unrestBritish Podcast Awards 2026 shortlist revealed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister in July, he has been producing social media content with creators and has garnered over half a million followers in TikTok and over 700,000 on Instagram. But will a social media-focused strategy work for the PM?Benedict Pringle, partner and global client lead at T&P and host of The Political Marketing Podcast, joins the episode this week to discuss why Burnham has chosen social media to speak to voters, the risks involved and if it will work or not.Hosted by Campaign's tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley, this episode also includes UK editor Maisie McCabe and deputy creativity and culture editor Charlotte Rawlings.Further reading:What Andy Burnham's social-first strategy teaches agenciesAndy Burnham is 'proactive' towards online safety, Ian Russell saysAdland reacts as Andy Burnham reappoints Lisa Nandy as culture secretaryCould Andy Burnham's rise put the accent on regional pride in adland?Which party won the social media election?Alastair Campbell on combative politics, social media and who will lead the UK‘A headache to enforce’: What does adland think of Andy Burnham’s subscription crackdown? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WPP reported its Q2 results in the last few weeks, six months after chief executive Cindy Rose launched its three year Elevate28 plan to turn the holding company’s fortunes around. Now almost a year into her role, Rose said the network has “everything it needs” to achieve its plan, with analysts calling the results “better than expected” and a “glimmer of hope”.In this episode, Campaign's journalists look at how Rose is “fighting” for business, whether the Elevate28 plan is actually working and how the holding company and its competitor set are doing. Hosted by tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley, this episode features Campaign's UK editor-in-chief Gideon Spanier, UK editor Maisie McCabe and deputy media editor Shauna Lewis.Further reading:Five key charts behind WPP’s Q2 2026 resultsCindy Rose more than doubles WPP's bonus poolCan we talk about WPP's cuts?Is the agency sector ‘in a good place’?Havas' Yannick Bolloré: Agency sector is now ‘in a good place’ as perceptions have ‘flipped’Omnicom records 6.1% increase in organic growth in Q2 2026Publicis raises 2026 guidance and reports 4.8% growth in Q2Publicis’ Arthur Sadoun: 'We have never wanted to be an AI company'Havas reports 2.5% expansion in Q2 but UK growth 'slightly negative'Will Cindy Rose's plan save WPP? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pitching is what many call the “lifeblood” of agencies, but also the cause of their biggest strain. Almost three-quarters of adland employees have considered leaving the industry due to new-business-related stress, found research from The Great Pitch Poll 2026 published this summer, which also revealed that client expectations and demands relating to AI have increased pressure. AI and LLMs are also impacting the search and selection process for pitches, with clients using them to suggest agencies to shortlist. This episode of The Campaign Podcast features Campaign's journalists discussing to what extent AI is impacting pitching and making it more stressful.Campaign's media editor Beau Jackson, senior reporter Eszter Gurbicz and editor Maisie McCabe. we are discussing to what extent AI is impacting pitching, making it more stressful and if the process still works. Tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley hosts the episode. Further reading: ChatGPT is telling clients to invite my agency to pitch – it's shifting the playing fieldAre clients becoming more demanding?Can we talk about the ingredients of VCCP's new-business potion?Netflix ad tools could see 'agentic AIs talking to each other' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Cannes Lions this year, the Media Lions grand prix went to Uber Eats’ “Build your own Super Bowl commercial” by Special US, a campaign which acts as a form of entertainment for the viewers. This win followed Amanda Morrissey, Global President, iProspect and Chief Growth Officer of Media at dentsu, who was a juror on the Media Lions and said on The Campaign Podcast that judging the media category was more like judging an entertainment category. Plus, Publicis Groupe acquired sports and entertainment agency 160over90 this year, which will sit in the holding company's media division.Campaign's journalists discuss how much media is becoming more like entertainment, with insights from the jury press conferences. Tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley hosts the episode with media editor Beau Jackson, deputy media editor Shauna Lewis and deputy creativity and culture editor Charlotte Rawlings. Further reading:Adidas UK wins Entertainment Lion Grands Prix for Oasis workCannes Lions 2026: Watch all the Grand Prix-winning workCannes 2026Cannes Lions debrief: how did the UK work perform?Cannes Lions entries rise 'reflecting strong global participation'Mindshare New York wins Media Lions Grand PrixGut’s 'Handshake hunt' takes home Media Lions Grand Prix for Mercado LibreMedia Lions Grand Prix goes to Leo Burnett Sydney Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Catbird Seat which was unveiled earlier this month through to a few other recent launches such as Baby Teeth, Ace of Hearts and 05:37 Brand Studio, agencies are thinking long and hard about their branding. But how much do these monikers matter, is it just about the work and the people? And what what are some of the pitfalls when you get it wrong?Campaign's editorial team explore these questions and more. Deputy editor Gemma Charles hosts the episode and is joined by UK editor Maisie McCabe, media editor Beau Jackson and deputy creativity and culture editor Charlotte Rawlings.Further reading:Can we talk about the indie surge?Larissa Vince and Andy Jex launch Catbird SeatRichard Huntington launches FeralCan we talk about strategy, Feral and untethered in space?Lynsey Atkin, Chris Watling and Rebecca Lewis launch start-up Baby TeethRichard Brim, Martin Beverley and Polly McMorrow launch Ace of Hearts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Fifa World Cup gets closer to crowning the winner, Campaign invites advertising creatives to review a selection of ads that are celebrating the football tournament.The episode includes Richard Brim, founder and chief creative officer at Ace of Hearts; Carren O’Keefe, chief creative officer at Digitas, and Dan Watts, chief creative officer at Pablo London. Hosted by tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley, the guests critique six ads, including the rival Nike and Adidas films, and discuss whether it was a vintage year for World Cup ads.The ads discussed are:Nike x Palace "England x Palace" (in-house)BBC “Let’s make it iconic” by BBC CreativeNike Football “Rip the script” by Wieden & KennedyAdidas “Backyard legends” by Lola US Paddy Power “Nobody does football better than us” by BBH LondonUber Eats “Who could cook at a time like this?” by MotherFurther reading:Nike vs Adidas: Who won the battle of the World Cup ads?World Cup 2026 round-up: Snapchat, Deliveroo, Hilton, Asda and moreHow brands hijacked Fifa's logo ban to earn attention and share of voiceNike’s 'Rip the script' to become longest ad ever to air on ITVWorld Cup kick-off draws 7.7 million as ITV 'breaks record for commercial success' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.