Matt Sharp

It's Halloween AND our performance review deadline at IPG Mediabrands UK today - eee scary!👻 Jokes aside, at IPG Mediabrands, we have a clear, annual performance review and goal-setting cycle. And I think it's great because... 🎃 It's important to feel confident and comfortable discussing our achievements. (see post from 2023 following our Brag Better event!) 🎃 This is an opportunity to reflect on the last year and consider areas for development and progression in the upcoming year. 🎃 Receiving constructive feedback is crucial for our career development and progress. 🎃 Reflection allows us to evaluate the aspects of our roles that we enjoy and those that may need improvement. 🎃 Reviews provide an excellent platform for open career discussions with managers. Anyone else agree that reviews are beneficial and not as daunting as they seem?

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In the words of Steven Bartlett 🙌 "If you don't care about the tiny details, you'll produce bad work because good work is the culmination of hundreds of tiny details" This theme ran through our 'Brilliant Basics' workshops at Punch Creative. In the workshops, our wonderful Head of Operations Charlotte Holgate and I went through key working practices and processes that ensure our foundations are strong 💪 How did we make the workshops memorable? We embraced our inner children using LEGO to help the team understand how... 👌 We invest effort into building client relationships 👀 We pay attention to detail and ensure the basics are brilliant 💎 We don't compromise on quality 🏋‍♂️ We gain clients' confidence and trust The teams excelled at the task! ✏ The creative team didn't start until they fully understood the brief 💻 The web team optimised user experience and functionality ⌛ Client services ensured the project was delivered on time 🎯 Marketing and comms thought carefully about their target audience. Who's build is the best? comment below 👇 with the emoji of your favourite, best team wins a prize: 🔥 Creative team 🛩️ Web team 🤖 Client services team 🚗 Marketing & comms team #Lego #Workshop #BrilliantBasics #AgencyLife #TeamBuilding

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Fascinating discussion with our UM leaders on the role of AI in brand building and how agencies can partner with clients to stand against bland media. 

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📽️💬 TRANSFORMING COMMUNICATIONS WITH BURGER KING UK I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Nick Hollis from BURGER KING UK to discuss their communication challenges before implementing Oak Engage and the incredible difference the platform has made since. Nick shared firsthand insights into how Oak has streamlined their internal communications, making it easier for teams to stay informed, connected, and aligned. From reducing silos to enhancing engagement across locations, Oak has truly transformed the way Burger King UK communicates. Catch a snippet of our conversation to hear Nick's perspective on Oak's impact, or check out the full video on YouTube: https://loom.ly/K-qea8c If you'd rather read the story, you can dive into all the details here: https://loom.ly/jscdDOc #InternalComms #EmployeeEngagement #OakEngage #CustomerSuccess #BurgerKing

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Wish AI and Sustainability would be used more often in the same sentence. Surely this would move more eyes and ears towards the elephant in the room. Thanks VideoWeek for having me on their conference and featured in this short interview. #dmexco #bvdw #digitaladvertising #ai #sustainability #VideoWeek #VideoWeekCologne

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How the times are a-changing. 📰 "The news that John Lewis Partnership (including Waitrose & Partners) has created an in-house content agency was surprising - you mean they didn’t already have one? The best FMCG and retail brands think on their feet and make content that reacts to what’s going on. But it’s not just about being reactive. Having great in-house creative improves marketing across the board. The everyday beating of the drum becomes louder than their competitors. Who’s already doing this well? Moju, Nice Wine, Surreal, what3words - and Kraft Heinz, on the bigger brand side." Full article here: https://lnkd.in/d2KhqqGP

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Netflix streaming was one of Amazon Web Services (AWS) early success stories and proofs of concept (I'll drop a link in the comments). "Amy Reinhard, the company’s president of advertising, was clear: Netflix will roll out a proprietary ad tech platform by next year." Could Netflix in-house #adtech be the next Netflix <> AWS collab? There's history there and this could be a major win for proving the value of AWS for Advertising out in the wild... #adtech + #cloud = 🔥

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Coming in hot with another Creative Natives webinar next week, and this ones going to be jam pack full of value. Have you struggled to navigate difficult conversations in the workplace? It might be with a client, colleague or manager. The type of discussions that are nerve-racking to approach. We're excited for the webinar we have coming up next Tuesday with Terri Martin, Head of NIDA Corporate Training. This session is designed to help professionals improve their communication skills by learning how to navigate difficult conversations with confidence and clarity. In this session, Terri will share effective strategies for handling challenging workplace discussions, from addressing sensitive issues to resolving conflicts. Terri will provide you with the tools to engage in hard conversations while maintaining professionalism and empathy. Join us next Tuesday at 12pm, link to register in the comments ✨ #creativenatives

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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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What a pleasure to speak to NewDigitalAge about Ethics, AI, building a brighter future using technology and so much more. Read my full take on how to empower all peoples (within and outside of our industry) to feel like their actions can make a positive change in our world - including personal insights on my digital hero here: https://lnkd.in/enVpCptv #media #advertising #AI #digitalmedia

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At AFFINITY Group, our new Growth Accelerator positioning isn’t just about driving business success — it’s about sparking a broader conversation at the highest levels. By aligning the vision of CEOs and CMOs, we’re empowering leaders to implement changes that deliver measurable impact and sustainable growth. Ready to see the difference this approach can make for your business? Let’s talk. Have a read of our chat with Mediaweek Australia:  https://lnkd.in/g4vT3Up3 #GrowthAccelerator #PotentialRealised #AFFINITY 

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🎙️ Missed an Episode? Here’s What You’re Missing on the Comms Coffee Club Podcast! 🔍 If you’re in #comms, #PR, or #corporateaffairs, you won’t want to miss these conversations. Each Comms Coffee Club episode explores the heart of today’s most prominent industry challenges and the inspiring stories behind UK and USA comms leaders. 💡 Why tune in? Whether it’s exploring #commsjobs and #AI in #internalcomms with Daniel Méndez Aróstica, MBA, getting insights on #change and #transformation with Agatha Fox, #executivecommunications with Charlotte Otter, or B2B tech and SaaS with Becca Chambers ✨, there’s something here to spark new ideas and sharpen your strategy. 📲 Catch the Highlights and Listen Now! Swipe through the carousel to get a taste of recent episodes, and use the QR code to head straight to Apple Podcasts. ✨ If you’re looking to grow your comms team or your own skills, this is for you. And if you love the podcast, don’t forget to hit follow and leave a quick rating—your support keeps us bringing you more from the leaders shaping the future of communications. Comms Search & Selection #CommsCoffeeClub #Communications #Podcast #InternalComms #CrisisComms #PR

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Another great article this morning from Daniel Benton of Mindshare. Daniel runs through a number of his thoughts around the implementation & adaptation around AI solutions within the #Marketing & #Media industry. Daniel's key & clear practical uses of #AI cover off things such as Meeting Transcriptions, Sub-Editing, Rewriting, Structuring #Content, Custom Image Generation, #Data #Analysis/Visualisation and #Tagging. I also couldn't agree more with his view that #AI isn't always the best solution and that there are lower cost solutions available out there! On the whole, some AI solutions are brilliant... but do you really need them, are they cost effective, are you following the hype and what are the potential negatives if something goes wrong? AdNews Australia

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Ever been frustrated by the service provided by your comms team? Did you ask them to upgrade your deck and it came back well below your expectations? We know this is an immensely frustrating experience, and leaves you questioning the value of a comms partner. But the cost of not having a comms partner is real. It means missed opportunities for engaging your audience. Missed opportunities to tell your story. Missed opportunities for investment. Missed opportunities for bringing in the best talent. Missed opportunities for patients.

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Advertising spend in the UK was at £10bn in the second quarter of 2024, a 13.4% increase year on year, according to the latest Expenditure Report by the Advertising Association and WARC. The report said the increase in the second quarter was four percentage points ahead of forecast, which it said was due to stronger than expected digital growth. The increase means they have upgraded their forecasts for advertising spend across the whole of 2024 by 3.0 percentage points, with expectations that the market would hit an all-time high of £40.5bn.

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🚀 Exciting Times 🚀 As we gear up for tomorrow's 📌 Pinterest Presents 2024 📌 , I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible work our 🔥 Pinterest Global Business Marketing & Comms teams including our internal 'House of Creative' 🔥 have delivered. We are continuing our quest to 'unboring' B2B marketing. It's been nothing short of inspiring watching these teams turn vision into reality with creativity, strategy, and execution that truly sets the bar higher every time. 👏 But we're not done yet! Tomorrow's event is all about 📌 unlocking the next level 📌 for marketers around the world. Whether you're looking to elevate your performance, tap the latest product announcements, or hear from senior leaders at other companies, this is the place to be. 💡 Why attend?  - Expert speakers on the hottest product innovations - Strategies that are **reshaping marketing** - Real-world case studies that drive results Join us and let's push boundaries together! 💼🌍 🔗 PinterestPresents.com Can't wait to see you there! #MarketingLeadership #GlobalBusiness #VirtualEvent #TeamSuccess #Innovation

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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. [email protected] 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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