#MediaSnack – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of #MediaSnack WINNERS, Tom Denford is joined by Fredrik Borestrom, President of the International Advertising Association (IAA) and a trusted voice in the global media and marketing community. With over 25 years of leadership experience, Fredrik brings a sharp, international perspective on the future of marketing.

Tom and Fredrik explore what the rest of the world can learn from Nordic markets — some of the most tech-forward and transparent media landscapes anywhere. They also dig into the gaps in measurement and why trust in the agency model is eroding. Fredrik shares his vision for developing the next generation of industry leaders and why local insights still matter more than ever, even in an AI-driven, global marketplace.

Learn more about IAA Global: https://iaaglobal.org
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The media agency landscape has entered a true Red Ocean moment — consolidation, chaos, and disruption everywhere you look. The Omnicom–IPG merger is approaching the finish line, Dentsu is dealing with a damaging cyber breach, Publicis is surging ahead thanks to aggressive AI investment, and WPP just bet $400M on Google to catch up. The stakes have never been higher for marketers deciding who to trust with their media, their data, and their future.

In this episode of #MediaSnack, Tom and David break down the latest power shifts — from agency M&A to the AI arms race — and explain what this means for brands. They outline how advertisers can protect themselves from data-security risks, avoid being collateral damage during massive agency restructures, and ensure that AI and technology actually drive growth instead of adding complexity.

Most importantly, they reveal the critical clauses every marketer needs in their agency contracts to safeguard first-party data and limit legal liability. If your agency touches your data, you need this episode.

Timestamps

 00:00 – Red Ocean chaos: mergers, breaches, disruption
 04:12 – Omnicom + IPG: what happens on Day 1
 10:28 – Dentsu’s data breach and the legal + brand risks
 15:50 – Publicis surges ahead by betting early on AI
 19:40 – WPP partners with Google — smart move or risky dependency?
 24:55 – What marketers MUST do now: data liability, AI value, tech-debt risk

#MediaSnack is presented by ID Comms, the global media consultancy helping brands achieve better media results.

Want to stay ahead in media? Visit https://www.idcomms.com

Follow ID Comms on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/id-comms/

In this special #MediaSnack episode, Tom Denford and David Indo revisit one of their boldest predictions: the WPP 2.0 Playbook. Originally recorded when Mark Read stepped in as CEO, the episode laid out a proposed restructure of WPP’s sprawling agency network. Now, with major changes finally underway—including the retirement of the GroupM brand—Tom and David break down what they got right, where they missed, and what it all means for media leaders today. It’s a rare moment of reflection in an industry that’s always sprinting forward—plus insight into how the same themes now shape the Omnicom-IPG merger and the future of agency holding companies.

Watch the original WPP 2.0 Playbook episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSdrpMylNrE

How to Navigate Media Chaos and Come Out Ahead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXT0eLAI4KA

Why a Renegotiation Might Be Your Next Winning Move: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWR5nZkgndM

#MediaSnack is presented by ID Comms, the global media consultancy helping brands achieve better media results.

Explore more: https://www.idcomms.com
Follow ID Comms on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/id-comms/

What does the new CEO of GroupM North America consider the biggest challenges for the media industry? What is he trying to achieve at GroupM to meet the future needs of advertisers? And what does he do in his spare time to satisfy his "need for speed"? Find out all this and more on the latest episode of #MediaSnack Meets.

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Welcome to #MediaSnack Meets where we meet the individuals and organizations doing great work to inspire success and drive change within the global media and marketing industry.

Because the best are short of time, our guests answer only 6 questions in 20 minutes

We get to learn what is behind their success, what it takes to make change in the industry and what the rest of us can learn from that experience.

My guest for this episode is Kirk McDonald - CEO of GroupM, North America, one of the world’s largest media agencies.

We ask:
1. Tell us who you are and what you do?
2. What is the best thing about working in media?
3. What do you think is the biggest challenge for the industry right now?
4. What is your favorite piece of business/leadership advice?
5. What is your passion outside of media?
6. Your hopes for the year ahead?

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#MediaSnack​ Meets is a regular interview with the curious media professionals who are reshaping the global industry.

Thanks for watching, if you enjoy #MediaSnack​ Meets please give us a thumbs up (it really helps) and do share links and tell others. Subscribe to our channel to stay updated.  

Marketer? 
For tips, guides & other amazing free resources for marketers, get started at: www.IDComms.com/GROWTH

Media For Business Growth: Media Operations #MediaSnack 161 by ID Comms

Media For Business Growth - #MediaSnack 160 by ID Comms

My guest for this episode is Belinda Smith, Global Head of Marketing Intelligence at EA (Electronic Arts) one of the world’s largest video game and entertainment companies. 

For the last couple of years, before she moved into her new Marketing Intelligence role, Belinda was the Global Media Director of EA and to those in the know, she has been one of the real pioneers of what has become called “the in-housing of media”. And you will learn in this episode why she detests that phrase, as do I. 

I first met Belinda a few years ago at an excellent ANA Media conference where she was speaking  about EA’s plans to build their internal media capabilities. This was in 2017 and up to that point I had not heard someone talk about in-housing (that word) with such a clarity of vision and so articulately. Since then, Belinda and her team at EA went on a fascinating journey which she details in this episode, some things worked, some did not and needed refining. It really is a masterclass for anyone thinking about how to approach in-housing of their own media operations.

If you pay any attention to the media industry then you have probably either seen Belinda at an event or you have read something she has written about media. She has also become an important voice for diversity in the industry, in 2019 being named the Diversity Ambassador for the World Federation of Advertiser and she still sits on their global media board.

I always appreciate Belinda’s view of what we all do because, in these often divided and confrontational times she approaches the industry with more humanity than I think I see in anyone else. She wastes no time dwelling on negatives and always seems to have an optimistic and pragmatic view forward. 

An Agenda For Media SIMPLICITY- #MediaSnack 158 by ID Comms

Media is a marketing discipline, not a financial exercise: #MediaSnack 157 by ID Comms

How CMOs can save media industry: #MediaSnack 156 by ID Comms