The Insight
Percipient thought-pieces and opinions from some
of
the world’s most respected industry leaders.
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It's often said that getting to the top is the easy part; it's staying there that takes the effort. If you're a brand, you might want to follow the footsteps Clarks shoes, says Alex Taylor-Smith, Director at children’s media specialist Generation Media, because it's won the hearts and minds of generations of people.
Hilarity or calamity? A comedian’s view of this year’s Christmas commercials
Award-winning British comedian, actor, writer and star of Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You, Pointless and more, Ria Lina casts her star-rated chuckle-ometer over this year’s Christmas ads.
How to court Gen Alpha without kiddifying your brand
There's a new type of CEO in town; they're brand-savvy, fashion-literate, tech-facing and around 12-years-old. Monica A Chun, President of Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC), explains why Generation Alpha holds the future in its hands.
How to score a Christmas ad
Freelance composer Charlie Smith unpacks how he approached the festive films for M&S, Boots and Argos without slipping into seasonal cliché.
From Christmas crackers to unreal unmagic: A holiday ad review
Casting their eyes over this year’s big brand festive campaigns, Lisa Nichols and Gary Fawcett, ECDs at TBWA/MCR, are charmed by the John Lewis formula, Taika Waititi’s doodle dude and less impressed by Coca-Cola’s ‘it’s the unreal thing’.
Humanity, humour and resilience take centre stage at shots Out Of The Box
At the third annual event, speakers from across advertising, production and culture shared perspectives on AI, inclusion, creative craft and the shifting realities of modern production practices. As Lucy Aitken notes, the discussions highlighted the pressures, questions and opportunities facing the industry.
What the rise of NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani tells us about the future of brands
Burrell Communications’ Senior Vice President of Brand Development, Tuwisha Rogers, unpacks what New York’s historic mayoral result says about the evolving cultural landscape, and why brands need to pay attention.
Why gender balance in music matters for culture and brands
Becky Wixon, CD of Balance the Mix, an initiative championing female and diverse musical talent, argues that the lack of diverse voices in music production impacts advertising, with homogenous creators leading to homogenous ideas.
Hitting a half-century: The Arrows at fifty
As the awards celebrating British brilliance in TV advertising reaches its 50th birthday, Tim Cumming talks to the recently announced 2026 jury chairs, Lizie Gower and Ben Priest, as well as Chairman of the Arrows Board of Directors, Simon Cooper. They discuss the Arrows' impact and ongoing legacy, and how it can support craft and creativity in challenging times.