#brand-advertising

#brand-advertising

Any thin hope marketers had that 2026 might calm the turbulence of last year didn't survive January, as political shocks, platform upheaval and fresh economic jitters piled new uncertainty onto an already fragile market. Nobody expected serenity to be clear. The hope was for a more predictable kind of chaos: slower regulatory fights, fewer sudden platform pivots, and an economy drifting rather than lurching.

His confident presentation wasn't a nostalgia tour, but served as a dynamic advert for his Merit TV - a bold, multi-platform network that he claims will "own the debate lane," connect with underserved audiences, and deliver real value to brands. "This is not just another presentation," Dr Phil assured attendees. "I want to talk about things that matter to people who care. That's the mission."

For a medium that commands over 50% of total UK ad spend, online advertising is but a babe in the firmament of media. At the age of just 22 - despite its many well-documented growing pains - digital media has become by far the biggest line item on marketers' media plans, largely due to its targeting and accountability credentials. Let's compare and contrast with outdoor advertising - we're talking the oldest medium in the world here.