JAA Business Director Sophie Bellon-Gibbons gives us a roundup of her jam-packed week, looking at three key industry events in the media sphere…
This week has been both busy and inspiring, filled with learning and thought-provoking discussions.
The Business of Climate: Media’s Role in Sustainability
Monday began with the Business of Climate event, hosted by AOP, IPA, and IPSO. It was a fascinating session exploring how UK media coverage of climate change has evolved. Today, only 42% of articles about Net Zero frame it within the context of climate change – down from 90% just a decade ago. We also discussed the cost of sustainability versus the cost of inaction, a challenge that remains central to the conversation.
One key takeaway for me was the importance of considering what we are funding as advertisers. This means prioritizing direct buys for greater impact, targeting the right audience to reduce wasted carbon, and having open conversations with clients about the sustainability impact of their media plans.
CTV World Summit: Navigating a Fragmented Landscape
Tuesday was all about CTV at the CTV World Summit. The decline of linear TV and the rise of AVOD were key topics, highlighting the increasing fragmentation of audiences – especially among younger demographics. While data is often positioned as the solution to this fragmentation, there are still hurdles for brands when it comes to CTV, including cost, measurement, scale, and quality. These challenges were widely discussed throughout the packed agenda. However, one thing is clear: whether you’re leveraging it yet or not, CTV is here to stay.
Empowerment and Progress at the IWD Lunch
I wrapped up the week with an incredibly inspiring IWD lunch, hosted by Channel 4. Being surrounded by remarkable women and men in the industry, openly sharing the challenges we have faced and how we can move forward together, was truly special. I felt honoured to be part of the conversation and left feeling both empowered by the progress we’ve made and aware of how much further we have to go.
Motivated for Change
Looking back at this week, I feel a deep sense of pride in our industry. But I also recognise that there is still much to do – whether in sustainability, tech development, or achieving true equality. The good news? These are challenges we can tackle together. And after this week, I feel more motivated and empowered than ever to be part of that change.
