Jen Kinnear

Agency vs In-House. We hear this a lot from senior creatives considering a move In-house. It’s a tough call. There’s a big draw to both worlds. 💥 World-class (in-house teams) are emerging across Europe and the US—in both product and brand. They’re pushing creative boundaries, offering the freedom you’d expect at an agency, with the added bonus of long-term brand strategy and product influence. Plus the obvious… $￡. Agencies are still where some of the most beautiful, cutting-edge work happens. The variety, the pace, the constant push to break creative limits—why many stay agency-side. Working with top brands, keeping their portfolios fresh! Is the transition straightforward? Not entirely... – OPAL

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‘I designed that… and it’s one of my proudest achievements’ mark whelan said to me as I walked out of the Havas London HQ. There are two things I love about out this… 1. An accomplished (British) leader being ok with saying ‘that’s one of my proudest achievements’. That just doesn’t happen. 2. The proudest achievement being something physical. That you can walk on. Look at. Touch. I wrote a thing about Spatial design making a resurgence recently. And I think a return to ‘physical’ isn’t just a counter movement to all the chat about AI and screens. I think it’s primal. I think humans want to feel things again. I think it’s why Cannes was flooded with humans. And I think it’s why Brands are investing in retail, experiential, events. Either way, if you didn’t know, now you know that Mark designed those cool stairs at Havas… and it’s actually a map of Kings Cross made from used metal from Kings Cross station. Luzz it. Thanks, Mark.

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Is branding the most undervalued area of marketing? I enjoy recruiting for branding roles, hearing stories about how campaigns and narratives were crafted, the creative approaches to activations and what people have achieved. How they ties in different channels with a nuanced approach to feed into an overarching brand narrative! I also love seeing tasks in this area as you get to see thought processes behind it. Branding can also be an area that faces heavy cuts during times of economic uncertainty - something that I’ve head from more than a few frustrated professionals!! Interesting read on how Brand Marketers should use metrics and numbers to illustrate branding is as important as performance marketing, especially when they’re working to save their budget. Do you feel businesses should prioritise branding? That they should be aiming to build better brand affinity as the economy begins to grow? Or do you feel there are better areas for them invest their budgets? https://lnkd.in/epGR7xfv

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Atomic 212º's Chief Strategy Officer, Asier Carazo, highlighted the importance of close collaboration between the strategy and trading teams in today's advertising landscape. The agency prides itself on its independence, allowing for a more flexible and innovative approach to client solutions. Asier emphasised the agency's commitment to continuous reinvention and personalised service, with a focus on ROI-driven strategies. The agency has been successful in winning new clients while maintaining strong relationships with existing ones, showcasing its ability to adapt to changing market conditions. Chief Investment and Trading Officer, Lorraine Woods, emphasised the importance of people in driving the agency's success, highlighting a diverse and energised team. Looking ahead, the agency plans to focus on smarter, faster, and more accountable media solutions, while ensuring that client needs are met in an ever-evolving advertising landscape. The goal for the next 12 months is growth, both for clients and the agency itself, through innovative product offerings tailored to client success.

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Two articles about the gender pay gap with research from claims.co.uk looking at the industries with the highest gap (looking at you, web designers) whilst Campaign predicts that the gap in agencies will be below 10% in 2029. claims.co.uk - https://bit.ly/49NMma2 Campaign - https://bit.ly/3UoKD6I

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Fascinating - and sad - to see the results of this survey on #MentalHealth in the #PR industry. TL;DR it's not good. Remember folks - reaching out for help is a sign of strength. There are some amazing counsellors out there who can help. In the UK, have a look at listings on BACP to find someone who meets your needs: https://lnkd.in/ersgqdDE Yes, PR and #Communications are stressful. It comes with the job and, sometimes, is the frisson of excitement that brings us to the laptop each day. But that frisson needs to be well managed. Think of it like physical fitness - many of us try to eat well, go for a walk (if not the gym) and do other things to keep us physically OK. Mental health should be no different. Supportive practices, friends and finding the right professional for a tune-up shouldn't be anything uncommon. In fact, I'd argue that these should be regular occurances to stay on top of things, before things get on top of us (which is often the only time people seek out support). Look after yourselves, people, please! https://lnkd.in/ehDwuZrW

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Interesting morning reading, which won't come as a surprise regarding data-driven advertising experiences and the SVOD landscape.... 📊 According to a recent study, consumer choices in the SVOD realm are increasingly influenced by personalised ad experiences. ♾️ Tailored advertisements are not only enhancing user engagement but also impacting subscription decisions. Data-driven insights more than ever rare shaping content consumption behaviours so leveraging data effectively can enable VOD platforms to deliver personalised experiences that resonate with viewers. ⬇️ Read more below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dSdRcef3 #neuco #adtech #svod #data #contentandmedia #morningreading

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💡 Did you download our latest 2024 Most Attractive Employers student survey in the UK report?? The survey provides insights into student preferences across various industries, highlighting the importance of employer branding and communication when attracting top talent. We also reveal emerging trends and the companies considered most attractive by future talent, offering valuable data for refining employer branding strategies. 📊 Not on the rankings list? Don't worry! With data from over 32,000 UK respondents, we can offer tailored industry and audience trends to refine your employer branding strategy. Gain invaluable insights into your target audience's preferences and stay ahead with key competitive analysis. You can download the report for free here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e9Tb-h2r #EmployerRankings #TalentInsights #FutureOfWork Universum

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A conversation many Senior Marketers are having at the moment- Should we manage Social Media ourselves or outsource it to a specialist agency? There are pros and cons to both, but one thing is for sure, the impact of a strong social media strategy can be huge for the bottom line. Join us in a couple of weeks as we look at both sides of the coin and explore the benefits of using an agency vs bringing it in-house. A must-watch for any Senior Marketer. Click on the link in the comments to register.

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David Johnston founder of Accept & Proceed joins me on the latest episode of The Untalented Podcast. We cover the story of Accept & Proceed but more importantly what we don’t know about the studio. David shares his thoughts on how brands can and should do better for the world. And the need for agencies to come together to impact change. Follow the link in the comments to listen to the full episode. UNKNOWN

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“You don’t buy a smart fridge to only use the ice maker. Yet for a while, many brands were leaning into enterprise #martech and doing exactly that, paying exorbitant licensing costs to only scratch the surface of what the technology could do." - Mikaela Crimmins of advertising company Orchard. The dip in martech budgets is no secret, but Nadia Cameron and Andrew Birmingham's writeup on Gartner's annual CMO survey contains some invaluable insights into what's driving the trends. The whole thing is worth a read but there are a bunch of useful quotes from Ewan Mcintyre, who points out that some of this perceived change may actually a redefining of what constitutes 'marketing' budget, with IT teams now owning a lot of buying decisions. And, of course, there is the seemingly unstopppable rise of media budget. As martech and #ecommerce tools get smarter and more affordable, one would rationally expect costs to come down, and help brands achieve more with less. If that drives greater optimization of the stack, in the long run, that can only be a good thing for consumers - which should ultimately pay off for brands and technology companies.

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"Easy Apply" function is a job seekers worst enemy.... Here's why: 1) It encourages people to apply for roles they aren't qualified for. 2) A flood of unqualified applicants means your relevant application will get lost in the abyss. 3) You spend hours on cover letters and tailoring your CV to often not even have your application reviewed only to receive a generic rejection email weeks later. More than ever the market is congested with candidates, make your application stand out and be specific.. Any other comments or thoughts add in the comments #standout #candidatecongested #marketingrecruitment #csuite #commercialhires

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What's the UK's media industry's role on the global stage? The UK media and entertainment sector has been renowned globally for its quality of content. Imperatively, the UK has continually grown and invested in the sector to meet new digital demands, consumer appetites, and technological advancements. These initiatives can also be accounted for in the revenue the sector drives. In fact, studies show that by 2033, the industry could boast a staggering £53bn. Yet, as the industry continuously evolves, media businesses still need to harness the power of GenAI to create immersive experiences and stay ahead of the market. More: https://bit.ly/3xo6W3W #MediaIndustry #Media #GenAI

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This article in PRWeek UK Evie Barrett is a great leveller for leaders in our sector. NoTurningBack2020 has been championing and educating 18-25 year olds about the many and varied career paths in PR, Communications and Marketing since 2016. Our Early Careers Outreach programme is delivered by young people working across Comms & Marketing in our sector. They speak at 6th form colleges, Academies and non Russell Group universities across the UK. Their key messages are beautifully voiced in this piece by some of PR Week's 30 under 30. 1. Shine a light on the many and varied careers in our sector "I would love for people to have a deeper understanding of what it means to work in the industry,” said Natalie Phillips Marks and Spencer. Amy Moore account director, influence, Weber Shandwick “When I was at school, I didn’t even consider PR as a job option.” 2. You don't need a degree to get on 'Degrees should no longer be a barrier to entry, argues Lucy Somers, group deputy director of digital PLMR, who reflects on starting her own career and not wishing to go to university, but struggling to find comms apprenticeships. 3. The sector needs more cultural competence Tani Fatuga, Hard Numbers 📈 “It’s crucial for PR and comms professionals to develop a deeper understanding of different cultures and communities if we want to effectively communicate campaigns to a diverse target audience. 4. The sector needs more socio economic diversity Méganne Tillay account manager Byfield: “I think there is a systemic issue around privilege in relation to socioeconomic diversity in some elements of the comms industry, particularly at the larger agencies and in the City [of London]. Get in touch with NTB2020 Ambassador Early Careers Outreach team to find out what you can do to help change the face of the marketing communications sector for good. noturningback2020outreach@f1recruitment.com Sarah Bishop Adrian St Clair Walcott powered by f1 Recruitment Limited Brands with Values James Hewes Avril Lee https://lnkd.in/eqhhXmGE

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What do Burberry and Squarespace have in common? Not very much. Other than their excellent taste. Just look at the campaigns they have dropped in the past week. Both equally as epic. But both totally different. And, here are some of things I think they both massively have in common: ● They've created genuinely entertaining bodies of work that captivate the consumer. Whether it's a 30 second spot or a 9 minute film. ● Both are pieces of work that feel completely inherent and native to the brand, but are totally non-predictable. ● Both campaigns show they are masters of craft, and able to produce beautiful, simple films. Advertising gets a bad rap for the work feeling and looking the same. But these two ads are just a snippet of work I can't ignore. It's the work that I will be watching again and again. And, it's the work that get's me excited about this industry. Congrats to the teams involved. 💫

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Search engines are evolving from traditional SERPs to AI-driven experiences that prioritise user intent with 'rich answers' or 'position zero' snippets at the top. Generative AI, like Chat Experience Results Pages and AI Overviews, is set to revolutionise search by offering dynamic, AI-generated answers above traditional results. This shift emphasises natural language queries and poses challenges for brands to create high-quality, comprehensive content that resonates across topics. Success in this new landscape hinges on providing original, valuable content that guides users through their journey, aligning with the future of AI-powered search. David Castle GM of Resolution Digital digs deeper on the matter and discuss' the importance of brands understanding how to deliver genuine value to consumers, not just relevant answers, to stay prominent in the changing landscape of AI-driven overviews and chat-style search results. AdNews Australia #SERP #CHERPS #SEO #GenerativeAI

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The scope of communications is changing, and data continues to prove what we hear in the market. As CCOs and senior communicators broaden their remits, the teams they oversee increase in value to the CEO. Read more from Eleanor Hawkins on reporting structure changes in the function and why it’s important. https://lnkd.in/gag_sXKa

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This ' Reszames' campaign by Mischief @ No Fixed Address caught my eye today. Their insights revealed that around 75% of CVs ( resumes if you're in the US!) go unread 😳 With the state of the industry how it is a lot of designers have been asking for advice on how to get out of that CV ‘black hole’ and in front of the right people ( without sending a pizza 🍕 ) Here’s a few things I’d suggest… - Call the employer and ask to speak to the hiring manager if you’ve got their name. It may seem a bit direct but shows initiative and your interest in the position 🤳 - Utilize your network on Linkedin. If you know someone that works with your prospective employer, ask for an introduction 👋 - Utilize your real life network. Get out to industry events, who knows you may be having a drink with your future employer or colleague 🍻 - Sign up with a creative recruiter ( ideally mustard | B Corp™) we may have a direct line of communication with the hiring manager or insight into their hiring process 🤓 - Tailor your portfolio. If you’re targeting a drinks packaging agency for instance make sure your FMCG packaging work is at the beginning of your folio. Hiring managers look through a tonne of portfolios – it’s likely they won’t get to the end of yours. I'd be interested to hear any creative avenues you'd recommend trying to secure a role - besides sending pizza?! 😂 #creative #marketing #jobsearch

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