Day: 12 January 2026

Global ad market prospects upgraded to 8.9% (US$1.19trn) but growth concentrated in Big Tech platforms

Stuart Mitchell

A new study from WARC, the experts in marketing effectiveness, has found that global advertising spend is now on course to close out 2025 with growth of 8.9% to $1.19trn, an upgrade of 1.5 percentage points (pp) from WARC’s September forecast due to strong results from Big Tech platforms and a muted impact on global trade from trade tariffs.   A further rise of 9.1% (+1.0pp since September) to $1.30trn is forecast next year, while growth of 7.9% (+0.8pp) in 2027 would push the market’s value to $1.40trn – a doubling in size since the pandemic and equivalent to $150 spent for every person alive today.  The new projections are included…

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Fieldfisher partners with Young Citizens to champion active citizenship through The Big Democracy Lesson

Stuart Mitchell

European law firm Fieldfisher has partnered with Young Citizens to support the launch of The Big Democracy Lesson, a free national programme that provides students with the tools to understand how the rule of law and democracy work and why it matters.     The initiative comes as major changes to democratic participation take shape, including votes at 16 and mandatory citizenship education in primary schools by 2028. The Big Democracy Lesson brings these goals forward to 2026, providing resources from primary age through Year 13. The programme launched at the International…

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Ending destitution for excluded people is possible – if Scotland acts at scale

Stuart Mitchell

SCOTLAND has made significant and internationally notable progress in reducing destitution among people who are blocked from accessing mainstream support because of their immigration status, a major new evaluation has found. But the study warns that provision remains too limited to meet the scale of need. The independent report examines the impact of Fair Way Scotland, an action-learning partnership providing integrated support for people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) or restricted or uncertain eligibility. The model brings together specialist casework, modest financial assistance and access to community-based accommodation,…

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Fairfield University Debuts the Coastal Call, a Podcast Exploring Climate and Coastal Research

Stuart Mitchell

Fairfield University’s Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies has launched a new podcast, The Coastal Call. The podcast brings listeners to the frontlines of impactful, institution-wide research on our changing coasts and climate. The host, Rob Nazarian, PhD, founding director of the Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies welcomes expert guests who share latest discoveries in climate and environmental studies. The podcast spotlights faculty and student–faculty research that supports the University’s Jesuit Catholic mission of social responsibility, while fostering meaningful conversations with leading climate and coastal experts. Each…

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Leading European food companies urge EU to End the Cage Age

Stuart Mitchell

More than 30 leading European food companies have urged the European Commission to end the use of cages in animal farming across Europe. Three statements signed by 17 companies, were submitted to the Commission, each focused on a key species: hens, sows, and rabbits. These statements were signed by companies, including Bompieri Group, Fumagalli Industria Alimentari, Coop UK, and Accor which have made voluntary commitments to remove cage systems from their supply chains for a specific species. Together, they call on the Commission to prioritise and enact strong legislation to…

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