Amazon marketplace, social commerce and data-led shops are expanding at twice the rate of creative and content rivals, accordion to Agency by Agency’s most comprehensive UK agency growth study to date. New analysis of over 25,500 UK marketing, advertising, creative and media agencies reveals that 27% of performance and analytics agencies grew by more than 10% last year – almost double the 17% seen in traditional creative and content houses. Published by agency insight specialists Agency by Agency, The 2025 Growth Report tracks turnover, headcount and other metrics across 28 agency subsectors from May 2023 to April 2025. Overall, the UK agency economy expanded by 7.3%, with Wales, Scotland, North West England and Northern Ireland all now exceeding London’s growth rate.
AXA is working with Wavemaker UK, in collaboration with Bauer Media UK, to launch its latest campaign, ’Keep on Kicking’, shining a spotlight on individuals and organisations that champion women’s physical and mental wellbeing on and off the pitch. As proud partners of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, AXA is harnessing the excitement of one of the major cultural moments in the sporting calendar this summer to inspire women across the UK to get involved, stay active and support one another. At the heart of the campaign is AXA’s partnership with the Walking Football Association (WFA), brought alive through the partnership with Nonsense, the creative agency. The collaboration showcases how the WFA empowers women of all ages to rediscover the joy of sport, movement and community through walking football.
HSBC, in partnership with value-driven social media agency GH05T has launched a new social-first campaign including British tennis legend, Tim Henman, to mark the HSBC Championships at The Queen’s Club taking place June 7 to 22. The activation sees Henman surprise unsuspecting tennis fans as they hop into HSBC-branded taxis leaving the tournament, engaging them in a playful Q&A. Timed to coincide with the rebranded tournament– now officially titled the HSBC Championships – the campaign aims to boost awareness, drive brand affinity and reinforce HSBC’s commitment to a tournament that is celebrating the historic return of women’s competition to The Queen’s Club for the first time in over half a century. The social campaign will include a 60 second hero film and two 25 second cutdowns, capturing the unscripted moments of joy as Henman connects with fans on their ride home. The activation is a part of HSBC’s broader sponsorship strategy, aligning with its ongoing support of tennis and the LTA.
This Pride season, Amnesty International is calling time on performative allyship with a bold new campaign that asks: What does it really mean to be an ally? At the heart of the campaign is a rainbow bracelet—more than a colourful accessory, it’s a symbol of solidarity and allyship. Unlike brands that simply ride the Pride wave, supporters who donate to Amnesty International receive the bracelet as a mark of their commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ and human rights worldwide. Developed by impact-first communications agency Shape History, the campaign uses personal storytelling and striking visual design to draw a clear line between performative gestures and meaningful solidarity.
British soft drinks brand, Robinsons, in partnership with creative production studio, DOOH.com, T&P, Ocean Outdoor and WPP Media have brought family affection to the fore with a feel-good, real-time innovate, digital out-of-home (DOOH) campaign that transformed Westfield Stratford City into a celebration of squeezes and squishes this past weekend. Robinsons invited families and shoppers to step into its bespoke camera studio at Westfield Stratford, for a chance to share a hug – or a “squish” – with a loved one. Participants were photographed mid-squeeze by renowned portrait photographer, Seamus Ryan, with their joyful moments turned into personalised Robinsons ads, which were displayed on the Four Dials digital screen within minutes of being captured. The activation was an extension of the soft drinks brand’s wider ‘Nation’s Favourite Squish’ campaign, which has been live nationally in recent weeks. Following the activation, participants were emailed a copy of their photographs so they can download them for their personal use and to share with loved ones and on social media.
Cases of melanoma in the UK are at an all-time high, and while studies show that getting sunburnt just once can triple your risk of getting cancer, only 27% of Brits are taking proper precautions to protect their skin. Drawing attention to the dangers of sun damage, Wonderhood Studios and The British Skin Foundation present ‘The Burnable Billboard’ – the world’s first multiple-location DOOH campaign to reflect the effects of too much sun exposure as it happens. The idea was a bronze prize winner in the charity category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks original concepts that push the boundaries of DOOH. It follows new research from The British Skin Foundation which reveals that 38% of Brits say they have already been sunburnt during the recent spring weather. A third (31%) admit they “couldn’t be bothered” to apply sunscreen, while 25% say they want to get a tan and overdid it. Timed to appear on days forecast to have particularly high UV levels, the campaign appears in high footfall areas in three UK cities on June 19 including an all-day takeover of the Meridian Steps at London’s Westfield Stratford City, a three hour takeover of The Totem in West Quay, Southampton, and The Loop screens in Manchester. Using Ocean’s live data feed technology, and API and data from weather sensors, the individual DOOH screens are updated with the exact UV level in that location in real time every second.
BLD BRO, a skincare brand for bald people, has launched an integrated marketing campaign across multiple platforms, including out-of-home advertising, national radio partnerships and podcast sponsorship. Planned and actioned by marketing agency Crozier Consulting, tthe multi-channel approach aims to capitalise on the brand’s rapid growth, demonstrated by a 856% revenue increase in 2024.
Sipsmith, the Official Gin Sponsor of Wimbledon, is celebrating its continued partnership with a new multichannel campaign. Developed in collaboration with creative agency Atomic London, the work brings the tournament’s unmistakable rituals to everyday life in typically unconventional Sipsmith style. The campaign raises awareness of the Wimbledon partnership by building relevance with gin drinkers aged 35 and over. Shot using virtual production at Silverscape Studios in Manchester, the team was able to replicate time-of-day lighting and weather conditions while cutting carbon emissions by 70% compared to a traditional shoot. The campaign is running across print, social, digital and point-of-sale channels, with key executions including a series of 15-second films. Media planning and buying is by Media Bounty. This is supported by airport and trade activations via Avolta.
