#MediaSnack

🚨 BIG TECH AD HARVEST & THE HOLDCO WAR 🚨

Big Tech ad revenues are surging, while agency chiefs are openly clashing over pitchless wins and CEO handshakes.

Join ID Comms CEO Tom Denford and Co-Founder David Indo this Friday at 11:00 AM ET for a new episode of #MediaSnack LIVE: "BIG TECH AD HARVEST & THE HOLDCO WAR: EARNINGS ROUNDUP, PITCHLESS WINS & THE IDENTITY RACE".

We dissect the massive third-quarter earnings disclosures from Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, The Trade Desk, and Reddit, and unpack the escalating public row between Publicis Groupe and WPP over pitchless account wins.

Presented by ID Comms. We have been helping the world's most ambitious marketers #GetGoodAtMedia since 2009.

Find out more at www.idcomms.com

#MediaSnack #GetGoodAtMedia #MarketingProcurement #MediaGovernance #AgencyPartnerships #CMO

In this episode of #MediaSnack, In our latest #MediaSnack episode, David Indo and I unpack what these Q3 results actually mean for marketers managing meaningful media money. We cover:

The New Growth Engine: How holding companies are evolving beyond pure planning and buying, and why a lazy fee squeeze will not unlock their true value.

The Living Room Battle: Why Instagram testing 90-minute horizontal video is a signal that your operating model must handle converged video planning against YouTube.

Pitch Horror Stories: We share cautionary tales of pitch theater gone wrong—from an executive accidentally soaking an agency lead in coffee, to an agency building a full supermarket bread aisle that clients never saw.

Before you touch a briefing deck or RFP template, define your growth agenda in hard commercial terms, diagnose your operating model with brutal honesty, and update your scope of work to reflect the realities of data and commerce.

Subscribe to #MediaSnack to stay informed, stay competitive, and stay winning. Let's all #GetGoodAtMedia together. #MediaSnack is presented by ID Comms, the award-winning global media advisory and analytics firm. We've been helping the world's most ambitious marketers #GetGoodAtMedia since 2009.

Find out more at www.idcomms.com.

In this episode of #MediaSnack, Tom Denford and David Indo dive into the latest shakeup in the cola wars as Coca-Cola splits its global media account among Omnicom, WPP, and Dentsu. They discuss the implications of Pepsi's strategic move to Publicis and what it means for these beverage giants. The conversation shifts to analyze the evolving landscape of media agencies, particularly the role of Accenture, Stagwell, and Havas in navigating the competitive Red Ocean. Tune in to understand the strategic plays, potential future pitches, and what this means for marketers globally.

What You'll Learn:

- The latest developments in the Coca-Cola and Pepsi media account saga.

- How the shifting alliances among media agencies affect global campaigns.

- The role of Red Ocean agencies and new market entrants like Accenture.

- Strategic insights for marketers managing media relationships.

Subscribe to #MediaSnack to stay informed, stay competitive, and stay winning. Let's all #GetGoodAtMedia together.

#MediaSnack is presented by ID Comms, the award-winning global media advisory and analytics firm. We've been helping the world's most ambitious marketers #GetGoodAtMedia since 2009.

Find out more at www.idcomms.com

In this episode of #MediaSnack, I sit down with Dave Kersey, VP and Global Head of Media at SharkNinja. We dive into his journey through the media landscape, discussing how he transitioned from agency roles to brand leadership, and the importance of leveraging media as a strategic investment rather than just a buying function. Dave shares insights on operational excellence, audience activation, and the power of embracing ambiguity in the fast-paced media world. He emphasizes the need for a balanced approach in media strategy, focusing on connecting with consumers in meaningful ways. Join us as we explore how innovation and a passion for media can drive business growth and success in today's dynamic environment.

In this episode of #MediaSnack, Tom and David dissect the evolving role of marketing procurement during global agency reviews. As Media Palooza accelerates, modern procurement leaders are stepping away from 2015-era unit-cost slashing to become strategic architects of agency operating design.

We explore why aggressive price-beating backfires by forcing holding companies to hide margins in principal media markups and opaque ad-tech fees. Learn how smart procurement directors partner with CMOs to build performance-linked commercial frameworks that balance fee transparency, performance bonuses, agency margin health, and AI automation for long-term growth.

We have been helping the world's most ambitious marketers since 2009. Find out more at www.idcomms.com

In this episode of #MediaSnack, Tom Denford and David Indo explore the pivotal role of CMOs in driving successful agency pitches. They discuss the importance of having marketing leaders at the forefront to inspire agency talent and ensure growth-focused outcomes rather than cost-cutting races. The hosts emphasize the need for CMOs to set a clear vision, define value, and create an inspiring environment that attracts top agency partners. Tune in to discover how a CMO's leadership can transform a pitch into a powerful tool for brand growth.

**What You'll Learn:**

- Why CMOs must be visible and lead in agency pitches.

- The critical balance between marketing and procurement in the pitch process.

- How to articulate a compelling media vision and value proposition.

- The impact of CMO engagement on agency motivation and selection.

Subscribe to #MediaSnack to stay informed, stay competitive, and stay winning. Let's all #GetGoodAtMedia together. #MediaSnack is presented by ID Comms the award-winning global media advisory and analytics firm. We've been helping the world's most ambitious marketers #GetGoodAtMedia since 2009. Find out more at

On this episode of #MediaSnack WINNERS, Tom Denford sits down with Megan Matlock, SVP of Media and Partnerships at FanDuel, to explore what it takes to build a media organization that can move at the speed of sport without losing sight of the customer. Megan shares how FanDuel thinks beyond simply reaching sports viewers to understand the full experience of sports fandom—and why winning in an increasingly fragmented media landscape means balancing immediate business performance with the brand and customer relationships that matter over the long term.

They discuss the challenge of proving media’s impact beyond short-term metrics, how changing sports consumption is creating new opportunities to connect with fans before, during, and after the game, and why marketers need to build organizations that can learn and adapt faster than the marketplace changes. Megan also shares how FanDuel is approaching AI with a focus on practical applications, why some of the biggest career growth can come from taking an unexpected path, and the leadership advice she carries with her: make decisions, communicate them clearly, own the outcome, and be willing to change course when you’re wrong.

Learn more about ID Comms: https://www.idcomms.com

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

In this episode of #MediaSnack, Tom Denford and David Indo dive into the art of agency renegotiations amidst the Media Palooza frenzy. They explore the strategic advantages of closed-door negotiations over public pitches and explain why renegotiations can offer a more effective path for advertisers seeking improved terms with their agencies. With insights drawn from real-world examples, Tom and David discuss the critical role of preparation and the importance of maintaining a sense of jeopardy to ensure successful outcomes. They also provide practical advice on how advertisers can recalibrate their media strategies for the upcoming year.

**What You'll Learn:**

- Why agency renegotiations can be more beneficial than competitive pitches.

- The key elements that make a renegotiation successful.

- How to prepare for renegotiations to maximize outcomes.

- Insights into recalibrating media strategies for future success.

Subscribe to #MediaSnack to stay informed, stay competitive, and stay winning. Let's all #GetGoodAtMedia together. #MediaSnack is presented by ID Comms, the award-winning global media advisory and analytics firm. We've been helping the world's most ambitious marketers #GetGoodAtMedia since 2009. Find out more at www.idcomms.com

In this episode of #MediaSnack, Tom Denford and David Indo dive into the unfolding drama between top media agencies and global brands Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. With Publicis stepping back from Coke to embrace a lucrative PepsiCo deal, Coca-Cola is left in a strategic quandary, reopening its $700 million media account. As WPP exits the pitch, Omnicom and Dentsu are positioned as potential contenders. Denford and Indo analyze the implications of these high-stakes moves and offer actionable insights for marketers navigating the evolving media landscape.

**What You'll Learn:**

- The strategic pivots of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo in their media partnerships.

- The impact of agency consolidation on brand options and strategy.

- How marketers can leverage current agency dynamics for their benefit.

- The broader industry implications of this high-profile media shake-up.

Subscribe to #MediaSnack to stay informed, stay competitive, and stay winning. Let's all #GetGoodAtMedia together. #MediaSnack is presented by ID Comms, the award-winning global media advisory and analytics firm. We've been helping the world's most ambitious marketers #GetGoodAtMedia since 2009. Find out more at www.idcomms.com

In this episode of #MediaSnack, Tom Denford and David Indo delve into the intricacies of Media Palooza—a pivotal period where $40 billion in media spend is up for grabs. They explore three strategic approaches advertisers can take: a wide-scale competitive pitch, a discreet renegotiation with incumbents, or a bold, innovative move like Pepsi's recent play. The conversation also highlights the evolving market focus from cost savings to strategic growth, emphasizing the role of agencies in driving innovation. Join us as we unpack the implications for advertisers and offer actionable advice for navigating this dynamic landscape.

**What You'll Learn:**

- The three strategic routes advertisers can take during Media Palooza

- How market priorities have shifted from cost-cutting to growth and innovation

- The impact of Pepsi's bold agency move and its industry implications

- Key considerations for advertisers when engaging in agency pitches

Subscribe to #MediaSnack to stay informed, stay competitive, and stay winning. Let's all #GetGoodAtMedia together. #MediaSnack is presented by ID Comms, the award-winning global media advisory and analytics firm. We've been helping the world's most ambitious marketers #GetGoodAtMedia since 2009. Find out more at http://www.idcomms.com