IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising)

The IPA Business Growth Conference returns this summer to equip you with the tools to grow as a practitioner, grow your client base and ultimately grow your business. Join us on Wednesday, 8 July, and learn what agencies need to do to thrive and prosper in the long term: https://lnkd.in/eRWdmEiF

"We are a generation that's innovative and ready to change the industry, and that's far from being lazy." Anything is Possible's Arjet Doniku challenged the stereotype that Gen Z are lazy at last month's IPA Talent & Diversity Conference. You can catch up on the full conference now: https://lnkd.in/e2EFvVYq

We're proud to unveil the 2026 IPA Beacon list, recognising 20 of the UK’s most exciting emerging and high-growth agencies that are redefining the future of the industry through innovation, entrepreneurship and new models for growth. Now in its second year, the IPA Beacon List is spearheaded by Paul Mead FIPA, Agency Chair and Board Member, former director at Jellyfish and Founder of VCCP Media, and is the product of months of in-depth research, interviews with Editor-in-Chief Ellen Hammett, and outreach via the IPA network, desktop investigations, and social media sourcing. The 2026 IPA Beacon agencies are: Adfabric, BigSmall, Boldspace | B Corp™, Coffee Design Ltd, Cold Glass Productions, Connective3, eight&four, FABRIC SOCIAL, InChief, lemontank, LOOP HORIZON, Onyx Commerce, Rooster Punk, Saulderson Media, Soar With Us, The Social Shepherd, TAU Marketing Solutions, The Good Influence, Transmission, ZEAL Creative. And Ones to Watch: Noodl, SearchIntel, ZEBORA. Find out more about these incredible agencies: https://lnkd.in/epQb32C6

A year ago we launched IPA Beacon with a simple ambition: To shine a light on the most exciting growth stories in the UK agency sector. 🔎 Today, I’m proud to introduce the 2026 IPA Beacon cohort alongside the IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising) and our brilliant editor-in-chief Ellen Hammett: 🏆 Adfabric, BigSmall, Boldspace | B Corp™, Coffee Design Ltd, Cold Glass Productions, Connective3, eight&four, FABRIC SOCIAL, InChief, lemontank, LOOP HORIZON, Onyx Commerce, Rooster Punk, Saulderson Media, Soar With Us, The Social Shepherd, TAU Marketing Solutions, The Good Influence, Transmission, ZEAL Creative and "Ones to Watch" Noodl, SearchIntel, ZEBORA 🏆 What has struck me most over the past year is the sheer energy, adaptability and optimism across the sector. At a time when some are predicting “the end of agencies” in an AI-driven world, these businesses are showing something very different: ➡️ Agencies are evolving ➡️ New models are emerging ➡️ Specialist expertise matters more than ever ➡️ Creativity, strategy and human insight are becoming more valuable, not less Many of the agencies featured this year are being built natively for a changing market — combining technology, creativity, data, community, culture and entrepreneurship in ways that simply didn’t exist a decade ago. And importantly, they’re not all coming from London. One of the best parts of Beacon has been uncovering incredible founder stories from across the UK — businesses scaling internationally while helping keep the UK one of the most vibrant agency ecosystems anywhere in the world. The original aims of IPA Beacon still stand: ↗️ Celebrate innovative agency growth stories ↗️ Provide a platform for ambitious founders ↗️ Inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs ↗️ Welcome future members into the IPA community ↗️ Champion the wider UK agency sector Huge congratulations to everyone featured in this year’s cohort — and thank you to everyone who contributed nominations, interviews and support for the project. 👏 And as always… Who should be on next year’s list? 🚀 #IPABeacon #Agencies #Marketing #Advertising #CreativeIndustries #Founder #Entrepreneurship #AI #DigitalMarketing

"In those early years of my career, the amount I needed to learn was overwhelming. The certificate offered a crucial roadmap. It wasn't just about memorising facts; it was about understanding the interconnectedness of client, agency, creative, media and research. It provided a holistic view that no single entry-level role could offer, giving me context and confidence far beyond my immediate responsibilities." Caroline Manning, Chief Design Officer (Media Planning) at Initiative, looks back on the role the IPA Foundation Certificate played in giving her lasting confidence, perspective and strategic grounding: https://lnkd.in/epNmCZPB

What can we all do to make the ad industry more inclusive? Leave the door a little bit wider than when you found it. That's the message from VCCP's Julian Douglas at last month's IPA Talent & Diversity Conference. If you missed the conference or just want to rewatch your favourite sessions, the recordings are now available on our website: https://lnkd.in/e2EFvVYq

Are you looking to hear fresh, unfiltered thinking that challenges convention and reimagines what brands can and should do? Make sure to join us for the 'I believe...' Conference next month and hear our IPA Excellence Diploma delegates share bold, personal points of view on issues that matter within advertising. Expect inspiration. Expect to have your views challenged. Expect to walk away seeing the world a little differently. If you believe in the power of strong viewpoints, this is the event you need to attend: https://lnkd.in/eUWQTygt

We are excited to partner with Bloom Scotland to bring Stepping into the Spotlight to Edinburgh for the first time in June. We have an amazing line-up of speakers ready to explore creativity and inclusive leadership, share honest insights from their careers and leave you with tangible steps to 'speak, show up and be seen without second-guessing yourself' and much more. We'll hear from: * Jim Kelly, Deputy MD Head of Planning at Story Group and IPA Chair for Scotland * Susan Russell, Head of Marketing, Communications & Sponsorship at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society * Claire Mathieson, Business Director at Republic of Media and President of Bloom Scotland * Leigh Dobson, Client Partner, Leith * Gill Jarvie, Director of Client Services, Republic of Media * Lyndsay Snoddon, Client Director, The Union * Author and Coach, Rachael Lawrence Make sure to book your place today: https://lnkd.in/eUDZfWne

How is small thinking killing advertising, and what should we do about it? That's what Les Binet and Will Davis 📈will explore next Wednesday as they build on the original findings of the 'Go big or Go home' research presented at last year's IPA Effectiveness Conference. For full details, and to sign up: https://lnkd.in/ebgbUT7H

We are excited to announce the entries into this year's IPA Effectiveness Awards. Over the next few weeks, our judges will evaluate 46 papers representing over £2.5bn of marketing spend from brands from sectors ranging from public services and charity to FMCG, gaming, telecoms and financial services. Writing an IPA Effectiveness Awards paper is an incredible undertaking, so congratulations and good luck to everyone who has entered this year's Awards. For the full list of entries and reaction: https://lnkd.in/euz4Yv9K