Forward & Thinking

📺 Insights from the Evolving TV Landscape Fiona and Natalie recently attended the Thinkbox Televisionaries event, diving into the latest trends shaping the future of TV advertising. The TV world is changing fast, and it’s exciting to see how quality, trusted, and data-driven viewing continues to grow. 🔹 Viewing habits: BVOD and SVOD viewing has grown 18% from H1 2024 to H1 2025, with ad-supported quality content now reaching 60% of all UK adults (up from 56% last year). 🔹 Commercial TV continues to lead, delivering the highest reach and most viewing, averaging 3 hours 45 minutes per day across ITV, Channel 4 and Sky. 🔹 TV remains dominant, accounting for 85% of AV advertising time. 💬 Key takeaways from the panel: Kelly Williams (ITV): Balancing short-term results with long-term brand strategy is key when planning TV campaigns. Rak Patel (Channel 4): TV’s superpower is trust, the same regulations that make it challenging creatively also make it one of the most credible mediums. Rufina Lawani (Sky): First-party data is reshaping how campaigns are measured and optimised in real-time. David Amodio (Amazon): With tighter budgets, proof matters more than ever. Tools like Amazon Marketing Cloud provide clear evidence of effectiveness. ✨ The takeaway: TV continues to evolve, but its core strengths of reach, trust, and proven effectiveness make it as powerful as ever for advertisers. #Thinkbox #TVAdvertising #MediaInsights #AdTech #MarketingStrategy #BVOD #SVOD

📺 Q4 is here… and things are heating up 🎄📈 The final quarter of the year always brings high demand across broadcast channels, with competition for space and standout at its peak. From TV and radio to digital and cinema, everyone’s fighting for those festive eyeballs 👀 As Fred Pontin famously said back in the 70s, “book early!” 😉 Getting your campaign locked in now means better positioning, stronger rates, and the best chance to shine during the busiest season of the year. If you want your brand to stand out this quarter, now’s the time to make your move 🎬 #MediaPlanning #AdvertisingStrategy #TVAdvertising #RadioAdvertising #ForwardAndThinking #CreativeCampaigns #MarketingThatWorks #Q4Advertising

🆕 Our latest blog is now live: What Our Media Agency Can Offer Businesses in Leeds In a world where media is constantly evolving, knowing how to cut through the noise is more important than ever. In our new blog, we explore the opportunities and challenges facing brands today, and how the right strategy can make all the difference. We work with ambitious brands across the UK 🌍 including Leeds, delivering bold campaigns that connect with the right people at the right time. From TV and radio 🎬🎤 to digital and out of home 🖥️🚌, we’re the Leeds advertising agency partner of choice for businesses that want to make an impact. If you’re thinking about advertising in Leeds 📍 this blog is packed with insights on how to maximise your budget 💷, reduce wastage ❌ and create campaigns that really perform 🚀 📝 Read the blog: https://lnkd.in/e4cVtV3k #MediaAgencyLeeds #LeedsAdvertisingAgency #AdvertisingInLeeds #ForwardAndThinking #CreativeCampaigns #MarketingThatWorks #AdvertisingStrategy

🌟 The Future of Media Manchester 2025 🌟 Last week, Andy and Natalea headed over to the RNCM for an incredible day with more than 600 media professionals exploring the trends shaping our industry. Highlights included: 📊 A masterclass on Linear vs. CTV advertising, showing how AI through the MiQ Sigma platform can give real visibility across activations, reduce duplication, and help make smarter investment decisions. 💡 Honest and inspiring talks from industry leaders like Vicky Monk at AO, who shared her refreshingly direct approach to pitching for more budget. 🎨 A call for Northern media businesses to embrace their superpower: creativity and impact. With the industry contributing £109 billion in GVA and supporting 1.7 million jobs (8% in Yorkshire & Humber), the North is firmly shaping the future of UK media. We also loved: ✔️ Rob Linton’s session on how data can supercharge TV campaigns, with open discussion around challenges faced by agencies vs. media owners. ✔️ Key insights from Emily Brotherwood at InfoSum on the importance of data-led audience understanding (spoiler: it’s not always who you think it is). ✔️ Hearing that marketing and advertising jobs in Yorkshire & Humber have grown from 5% to 8% year-on-year, one of the fastest growth rates in the UK. An inspiring day full of open, honest discussions that gave us a lot to think about. A big thanks to Adwanted Events and all the brilliant speakers who shared their experiences and insights 👏 #FutureOfMedia #ForwardAndThinking #CreativeCampaigns #TVAdvertising #CTV #VOD #NorthernPowerhouse #MarketingStrategy #MediaInsights

🆕 Our latest blog is live: Looking for an Out of Home Advertising Agency? You’ve just found us. At Forward & Thinking, we’ve been helping ambitious brands cut through the noise for over 16 years with bold, insight-driven OOH campaigns. From classic billboards to digital screens, buses, taxis and street furniture, we know how to get your message seen in the right place at the right time. Why choose us? ✨ Data-driven planning that reduces wasted spend and maximises impact ✨ Campaigns shaped by audience behaviour, demographics and media habits ✨ Transparent live reporting so you see performance in real time ✨ A team that’s honest, collaborative and always focused on results Our experience spans education, healthcare, retail, sports, councils, universities and national brands. Every campaign is tailored, creative and built to evolve. OOH is still one of the most effective ways to reach people where they live, work and travel. Add smart strategy and a creative spark, and it’s unforgettable. 📝 Read the blog: https://lnkd.in/e-fBgghX #OOHAdvertisingServices #OutOfHomeAdvertisingAgency #DOOHAdvertisingServices #ForwardAndThinking #BillboardAdvertising #CreativeCampaigns #MediaPlanning #AdvertisingThatWorks

📸 Thousands stop for a selfie outside York Minster (Chapter of York) … but never step inside. We’re here to change that 👀 Our new campaign is hitting TV screens, digital out of home sites, buses and rail stations across Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, Sheffield, Doncaster and London 🚆🚌 And with eye-catching placements in Brick Lane, Covent Garden and Tower Bridge, it’s impossible to miss 🌆 Running through August and September 2025, the campaign invites families and day-trippers to discover York Minster from the inside. An Annual Pass means unlimited entry plus a whole year of unforgettable events 🎶⛪✨ #YorkMinster #ForwardAndThinking #CreativeCampaigns #TVAdvertising #DOOH #OOHAdvertising #DiscoverYork

🚨 Big changes are coming to food and drink advertising From 1 October 2025, new restrictions will change how Less Healthy Foods or HFSS products (high fat, salt, and sugar) can be promoted in the UK. What you need to know: ❌ No paid online ads for Less Healthy Foods or HFSS products ❌ No TV or on-demand ads for HFSS before 9pm ✅ Brand-only ads are still allowed (no products shown) This means many advertisers will need to rethink their strategies… but it doesn’t mean going silent. In fact, it’s a chance to put your brand front and centre with creative campaigns that build trust, stand out, and connect in new ways. At Forward & Thinking, we’re already working with clients to prepare for the shift and ensure campaigns are compliant, creative and effective. Now’s the time to get ahead. Don’t wait until October. 📝 If you’d like advice on how to adapt your advertising strategy, drop us a message. #HFSSAdvertising #Clearcast #MarketingStrategy #ForwardAndThinking #CreativeCampaigns #TVAdvertising #DigitalAdvertising

📺 Live on TV for the first time We’re excited to see our new client, Abingdon and Witney College, officially on air with their very first TV campaign. With limited time, we worked quickly to create an advert from their existing footage and photography, showing that you don’t always need a brand-new shoot to deliver a strong TV presence. It’s fantastic to help Abingdon & Witney College take this important step onto TV, and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact it has. #AbingdonAndWitneyCollege #TVAdvertising #ForwardAndThinking #EducationMarketing #CreativeCampaigns #AdvertisingThatWorks

🎓 Stockport College is hitting the streets in style! As part of their GCSE results enrolment campaign, we teamed up to bring a bit of creativity to the pavements of Stockport with eco-friendly “street clean” stencils. Using just water, these designs create bold, eye-catching messages. ✨ We picked high-footfall spots where students (and their influencers… yes, parents, we mean you 👀) would be this week, making sure the message lands exactly where it matters most. The result? A fun, sustainable and memorable way to remind future students that Stockport College is enrolling now. Trafford & Stockport College Group #StockportCollege #CreativeCampaigns #ForwardAndThinking #StreetArtMarketing #EcoFriendlyAdvertising #EducationMarketing #EnrollingNow

The home furnishings market is growing, and smart brands are stepping up. We’ve been working with clients like Upholstery Design and Rodgers of York to showcase their products through high-impact TV and digital campaigns. With the UK home and furniture market projected to reach £20.5 billion by 2025, and an annual growth rate of 1.46%, now is the time to invest in campaigns that bring your brand to life. We combine standout visuals with strategic media planning to deliver campaigns that get results. #HomeFurnishings #InteriorStyle #RodgersOfYork #UpholsteryDesign #TVAdvertising #CreativeCampaigns #ForwardAndThinking #FurnitureMarketing #MarketingWithImpact #VideoSells