Ajaz Ahmed (below) is stepping down as CEO of WPP’s AKQA Group, which now includes Grey. Ahmed founded AKQA, arguably the world’s best and most creative big digital agency, 30 years ago. WPP bought AKQA, then an international network, for a reported £300m in 2012. WPP chief technology officer Stephen Pretorious takes over in the … The post Founder...

The brand still feels like a blast from the past, but Timotei is valiantly trying to keep up with the times by launching a new podcast that’s all about embracing gentle living, hosted by former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore. Gentle Start: The Showercast, invites fellow “celebs” like Martine McCutcheon and Love Island winner Amber … The post...

TV audiences are very susceptible to shows set in appealing destinations. Holidaymakers are still flocking to Sicily after the second series of White Lotus, and Emily in Paris has been such a boost for France that President Emmanuel Macron has spoken out against the show’s possible move to Rome next season, while the Mayor of … The post Virgin Voyages...

Passengers on London’s Underground have to endure repeated loud messages, in an infuriatingly plummy actor-ish voice, to ‘see it, say it, sort it.’ What you may ask, if you’ve avoided this unpleasant experience? Reporting stray packages which may (although they’re probably not) be bombs which might blow us all to pieces. Another shining example of …...

Usually, as Budget time approaches, chancellors reach down the back of the sofa and find a few billions they’d overlooked. Labour’s Rachel Reeves seems to find an ever-expanding black hole: claimed as £22bn when the Labour government came into office, now seemingly an even more daunting £40bn. No wonder that the IPA’s latest Bellwether Survey … The...

Publicis Groupe has reported Q3 2024 organic growth of 5.8%, slightly behind US rival Omnicom on 6.5% although there is a caveat: the two groups compute their figures differently, of which more later*. All regions reported positive growth in all regions with, by discipline, creative up although consultancy Publicis Sapient, a recent star performer,...