Bonded Bitesize – Bringing you your midweek roundup of the latest in digital and media.
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This new series will dive into how brands can better harness radio’s impact as a channel, and what to consider creatively when you plan your next campaign.
Hosted by renowned media journalist Omar Oakes, this series aired its first episode about the scale and sophistication of commercial audio in the UK. This episode uncovers the growth of audio audiences and how audio is evolving to meet the demands of effective data and actionable insights.
The latest AA/WARC numbers confirm a sharp tilt toward digital: search (including retail media) and online display formats now represent over 80% of all UK ad spend. In Q2 2025, Video on Demand (VOD) leapt 23.2% YoY and is forecast to grow a further 17.2% in the upcoming festive quarter. Meanwhile, traditional formats like linear TV and print remain under pressure, even as channels such as digital-OOH and online radio stay stable. With total market spend expected to hit £46bn this year and rise in 2026, brands appear to be doubling down on agile, data-driven formats.
With the launch of Stranger Things 5 this week, Global is shaking up the airwaves with the launch of WSQK ‘The Squawk’, a pop-up radio station inspired by Stranger Things 5.
The station will play non-stop 1980s hits and feature a lineup of American DJs, including Vance Goodman and Mindy Flare. Listeners can also expect a full slate of retro, American-style ads straight from the world of Hawkins, making it a fully immersive throwback experience.
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The latest media-owner results for Q2 2025 show UK ad spend up 9.1% to £11.3bn. Video-on-Demand led the charge as the fastest-growing channel, climbing 23.2% year-on-year to £373m. Cinema also delivered a strong quarter (+19.7%), boosted by high-profile releases including A Minecraft Movie, Lilo & Stitch and Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
Digital audio continued its momentum, with online radio up 11.2%, while online magazine brands (+4.4%) and direct mail (+4.8%) also posted gains.
Across the first half of 2025, total ad spend rose 8.9% to £22bn. Search and online display formats accounted for just over 81% of this, reaching £17.9bn — fuelled by sustained investment in AI to improve efficiency and performance across platforms.
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In a high‑profile move this week, the ASA banned ads from Nike, Superdry and Lacoste across the UK ruling that their sustainability claims (e.g. “eco‑friendly materials,” “sustainable fashion”) lacked sufficient evidence
The verdict underscores growing regulatory scrutiny over “greenwashing,” prompting marketers to tread carefully when crafting ESG‑related messaging or sustainability positioning.
