Campaign podcast

After WPP's Q2 results, the Campaign team analyses why the agency group downgraded its annual forecast and saw revenues drop in China.Gideon Spanier, Campaign UK's editor-in-chief, discusses his recent interview with Mark Read, the chief executive of WPP, and the context behind his questioning which included the FGS sale and what's going on with Group M.Gideon Spanier, Campaign UK's editor-in-chief, sat down with WPP chief executive Mark Read to discuss the holdco's Q2 results.He is joined in the studio by Charlotte Rawlings, senior creativity reporter, who reminisces her school days with M&S and Mother's back-to-school campaign. Plus she takes us through the N Brown creative review which owns JD Williams, Simply Be and Jacamo.Hosted by tech editor Lucy Shelley, the trio discuss the latest feature from creativity and culture editor Alessandra Scotto di Santolo which digs into adland's hybrid working structure using data from Campaign's 2024 School Reports and how the industry might be "manipulating culture".Further reading:Group M appoints Zenith's Jon Stevens as chief growth officerDentsu results: EMEA bounces back strongly as group returns to modest growthDentsu whistleblower reports more than double amid major reformsVolvo launches review of global £353m media accountGrace Francis, Jamie Mancini, Katy Collins launch Wonderful Things

Andy Jex, chief creative officer at TBWA\London, and Carren O'Keefe, chief creative officer at Digitas UK, join Campaign's senior creativity reporter, Charlotte Rawlings, to review some of the latest ads.Jex and O’Keefe explore the prevalent use of oil paintings and classical music in recent work. The pair discuss Bodyform “Never just a period” by Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, Heineken “Forgotten beers” by LePub, TNT Sports “Only sport can do this” by Brothers & Sisters, Babybel “Let the goodness begin” by BETC, British Airways “A British original period drama" by Uncommon Creative Studio, and Thomas Cook and Marine Conservation Society “Deflatables” by McCann Birmingham.Further reading:Bodyform exposes menstrual health gaps in latest campaign by AMV BBDOHeineken urges socialising over sipping for International Beer DayTNT Sports launches first campaign by Brothers & SistersBabybel celebrates summer of sport with peeling billboardBritish Airways launches period-drama-style safety videoThomas Cook and ocean charity spotlight inflatables' environmental impact

Campaign features editor Matt Barker is joined in the studio by senior media reporter Shauna Lewis and senior creativity reporter Charlotte Rawlings.The trio discuss Elon Musk's announcement that he will be suing the Global Alliance for Responsible Media in the US over an alleged "illegal boycott" of advertising on his X platform.Chat then turns to the potential problems faced by brands on social media to a backdrop of rioting and protests, before unpicking the latest from WPP after it reported a drop in like-for-like revenue (less pass-through costs) in Q2.Further reading'Now it is war': Elon Musk’s X sues advertisers over alleged ‘illegal boycott’Adland urged to step up over social media's role in UK riotsWPP now expects revenues to decline in 2024 after cutting forecast and 3,000 roles

Campaign features editor Matt Barker is joined by media editor Beau Jackson in the studio to chew over some recent news stories.The pair first chat about TV coverage of the Paris Olympics, before discussing the future of Ascential, set to be acquired by publisher and events group Informa for £1.2bn.Talk then turns to the controversy over The Guardian's placement of a watch advert (with the tagline "Watch porn") next to a feature about men watching videos of child abuse. They then recall some of the year's other big mishaps, including Apple, Calvin Klein and WH Smiths.Further reading:Cannes Lions and Warc owner Ascential to be acquired for £1.2bnThe Guardian apologises over ‘watch porn’ ad placed next to child abuse article

Paris 2024 returns the Olympic Games back to normality after the delayed Japan 2020 games. But what does it look like in a time of AI, war and economic uncertainty?Campaign speaks to UK advertisers on how the Olympics has changed this year, including Harley O’Dell from TikTok, Joanna Cotton from Monks and Mark Eaves from Gravity Road. Hosted by tech editor Lucy Shelley, they answer "where are all the Olympics ads?", how to approach an Olympic sponsorship and how brands avoid ad fatigue in the summer of sport. The trio discuss their favourite ads including Gravity Road's "1 in 100 million" for the International Olympics Committee's refugee team.More on the ads discussed in this episode:Olympics and Paralympics 2024 round-up: watch the adsNike unveils Olympics campaign, Winning Isn’t for EveryoneWill Nike’s Olympics campaign reboot its brand?Aldi’s Kevin the Carrot makes summer debut for Paris 2024Inside the International Olympic Committee’s marketing playbook for Paris 2024

Campaign's editorial team discusses the top news of the week from Havas losing its B Corp status to TfL launching a creative review.Media editor Beau Jackson and tech editor Lucy Shelley discuss how Havas and its agencies are affected by the B Corp loss and some highlights from TfL's advertising since VCCP won the account from M&C Saatchi.They delve into the moves at Group M as Tim Irwin steps down and Brian Lesser becomes the new global chief executive.Further reading:Activists 'hack' billboards to protest against Shell advertising'I need to be selfish,' says Chris Freeland as he leaves RappOak Furnitureland puts down roots with new media agencyTony’s Chocolonely launches global media reviewAsda bags social media agency after competitive pitch

Fresh from last week’s Creative Circle in Margate Campaign chief creativity reporter Charlotte Rawlings tells media editor Beau Jackson her highlights - including Conrad Haddaway and Sherwin Teo’s insight on Uber’s “Best friends” ad with Robert DeNiro and Asa Butterfield; and a rallying cry to agencies to improve access to the industry.She also shares her behind the scenes preview of 4Creative’s “Considering what?” campaign for Channel 4’s upcoming Paralympics coverage, and all the latest on Neverland resigning Tetley and winning Parkdean Resorts.The headlines from this episode:Veriça Djurdjevic to leave Channel 4Co-op consolidates creative and digital accountZenith wins Very Group’s £60m media accountTBWA\London hires strategy director Opinion:My experience in Cannes underlined why men must speak up and take action against harassment

The Euros 2024 finals are taking place this week and EE, the lead commercial partner of the home nations teams, demonstrates how it aims to emphasise 'proud' in 'proud supporters'.EE's film ad "Hate. Not in my shirt" by Saatchi & Saatchi calls on the nation to challenge hate in football and make people proud to wear the shirt, while highlighting the behaviour not fit for it. It is set to the soundtrack of Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart. Ben Mooge, chief creative officer at Publicis Groupe UK, joins the podcast to take us through how to make ads during huge cultural moments, selecting iconic music and how EE goes beyond the sponsorship.Further reading:Adidas borrows the Beatles' Hey Jude to put Bellingham at centre of Euros adPaddy Power plays on England's reputation in Danny Dyer-led Euros spot

Barbie launched in 1959 and for the 65th anniversary of the brand, Mattel has unveiled Barbie: The Exhibition in London's Design Museum.Opening tomorrow (5 July), Campaign's tech editor Lucy Shelley gets an exclusive tour with Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and head of dolls at Mattel. This episode is recorded as they walk round the exhibition through the years and lives of the Barbie brand.Discussing inclusivity, consumerism, sustainability and of course, the Barbie film, the pair talk through how the brand has coped with criticism, handled a change in strategy and the complexities of taking a Barbie doll into space.This episode was edited by Til Owen.