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Author: Abi Murphy

  • William Reed announce new Chief Operating Officer

    William Reed announce new Chief Operating Officer

    The business says this role marks a significant step forward in William Reed’s transformation journey, as it accelerates growth and strengthens operations across its global portfolio.

    Sexton joins William Reed after more than two decades in senior operational leadership roles, including UK Operations Director at dentsu international, and Chief Operations Officer at Carat UK. With expertise in team leadership, operational effectiveness, and change management – including M&A – Richard brings a track record of driving performance and embedding resilience cultures within complex organisations.

    As COO, Richard will partner with CEO, Tracy De Groose, to turn strategy into performance, ensuring it operates as one connected organisation. His remit will focus on driving speed and discipline across operations, embedding a performance mindset and a culture of continuous improvement, informed decision-making, and personal accountability.

    Tracy De Groose, CEO, William Reed, said: “Richard’s appointment is a pivotal moment for William Reed. This new role will help us deliver on our priorities with clarity and impact, supporting growth and improving profitability across our brands. Richard’s experience in tackling complex business challenges and managing stakeholders at all levels makes him the ideal partner as we continue to transform and future-proof the business.”

    Richard Sexton added: “I’m thrilled to be joining William Reed at such an exciting time. Having worked closely with the team over recent months, I’ve seen first-hand the ambition and energy driving this transformation. My focus will be on ensuring we operate with pace, discipline and collaboration – creating the foundations for sustainable growth and success.”

    Sexton’s appointment follows a period of significant change at William Reed, including the arrival of CEO Tracy De Groose in 2024, and the appointment of Chair Holly Widdowson in 2025, reinforcing the company’s commitment to future-proofing the business, and its enduring contribution to the global food and drink industry.

  • New ways for independent publishers to monetise their content

    New ways for independent publishers to monetise their content

    At the 2025 PPA Independent Publisher Conference, Tracy De Groose (CEO, William Reed) and Jack Davenport (Co-founder, Goalhanger) sat down to discuss how to monetise content across every format.

    We heard how Goalhanger, a proudly independent, new-generation, cultural media brand built on trust, not trends, has fostered loyal communities by adapting and diversifying their business – reaching an audience of tens of millions each month, whilst staying true to their vision.

    Listen to the audio from the session, and read the key takeaways below

    PPA members have access to extensive resources that aren’t publicly available. If you’re a member, browse our resource hub. If you’re not a PPA member, here’s how you can get in touch and what you’re missing out on.

    PPA event delegates also receive post-event content, including write-ups and key resources. You can view our events here. And, make sure you sign up to our newsletter and event updates here.

    Key takeaways
    1. Prioritise value and engagement over volume
      Independent publishers should focus on creating content that truly adds value to their audience, rather than forcing themselves into existing relationships. For podcasts, success isn’t just about big numbers; it’s about quality engagement and meaningful connections.

    2. Be platform agnostic and data-informed
      Discovery and audience management are crucial. Publishers should use data to understand what audiences want, learn from subscription models, and remain flexible across platforms to maximise reach and impact.

    3. Build relationships, not just sales
      Sales teams should prioritise long-term relationships with brands and agencies, investing in creative campaigns rather than simply selling products. Monetisation evolves through experimentation, and strong partnerships can amplify both revenue and audience loyalty

    4. Goalhanger is ad-funded
      But not to the detriment of the audience or content. Their strong talent engagement and relevant integrated ads complement the experience. Ensuring the business is financially viable, and offers immense value to advertisers who want to connect directly with Goalhanger’s audience.
  • CMA publishes Conduct Requirements for Google

    CMA publishes Conduct Requirements for Google

    This comes after the CMA gave the platform “Strategic Market Status” under its new digital competition regime last year, ruling that Google has substantial market power.

    The publisher conduct requirement is intended to address the lack of meaningful choice for publishers; insufficient transparency over how content is collected for search and used in Google’s generative AI responses; and the lack of appropriate attribution when Search Content is used.

    Specifically, the proposed publisher requirements are: 

    1. Effective controls 
       
      Google will be required to provide “effective controls”, allowing publishers to withhold their Search Content from being used in the training and grounding[1] of broader generative AI services. As well as from the grounding of Google’s search generative AI features. Google must ensure these controls evolve appropriately as generative AI services and features develop. 
       
    1. Transparency and metrics 
       
      Google will be required to publish clear information explaining how Search Content is used for training and grounding across its generative AI services and features, including the scope and effect of the available controls. Google must also provide publishers with clear, detailed metrics on user engagement where their Search Content is used in search generative AI features.  
       
    1. Attribution and factuality 
       
      Google will be required to take reasonable steps to ensure Search Content is sufficiently attributed when used in generative AI search features, and to publish clear information explaining the measures it has taken to ensure and assess the factual accuracy of those features. 

    The proposed conduct requirement also cover data portability, fairness in search rankings, and user choice architecture.   

    The CMA is running a consultation on the Conduct Requirements, which closes on 25 February 2026. The PPA’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Eilidh Wilson, is leading on a response.  

    Sajeeda Merali, PPA, CEO made the following statement: 

    “Publishers are looking for proof, proper checks, and practical enforceability. The wish list is simple: clear data on how AI affects visibility, reliable guarantees that opting out won’t disadvantage them, and an auditable system so we can independently verify what’s happening in practice. 

    On visibility, publishers want to know when their content is used in AI overviews, how it is attributed, and what traffic patterns follow. It’s vital that Google builds a reporting infrastructure that delivers the granular, auditable data that publishers are looking for. 

    This means providing verifiable, like-for-like performance data covering both classic search and AI overviews. Publishers will need to see stable indexing, unchanged rankings, and no reduction in referral quality or volume. Anything less leaves too much uncertainty for an already fragile digital advertising environment. 

    Self policing alone would not be sufficient. These measures only work if they are backed by clear obligations, external oversight, and enforceable consequences for non-compliance. That’s precisely why the CMA’s proposed conduct requirements matter: it introduces independent scrutiny for the first time and must be supported by an infrastructure that will enforce the requirements. 

    Opt out is an essential safeguard, but it doesn’t resolve the wider value exchange question. AI Overviews still replace clicks in many contexts, and without a clear model for licensing, the commercial imbalance remains. Today’s proposal is a major step forward, but it is not the end of the conversation on publisher compensation. 

    Overall, this consultation provides an encouraging foundation for a fairer digital marketplace. We will continue to engage constructively with the CMA and our members throughout the upcoming consultation period to ensure the final requirements deliver the clarity, safeguards, and accountability that publishers urgently need.” 

    If you have any questions, or would like to find out more, please get in touch: eilidh.wilson@ppa.co.uk 

    Footnote: [1] the PPA interprets grounding as the process of connecting an AI mechanism to an external data point (such as publisher Search Content) in real-time for features such as fact- checking.  

  • Bauer Media launches new golf bookazine to celebrate the Masters

    Bauer Media launches new golf bookazine to celebrate the Masters

    This special edition is a comprehensive guide to the Masters Tournament – exploring the course, the history, and the legends. The publication also charts the story of Augusta National, from its origins to the present day, featuring contributions from Masters champions including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Sir Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods. 

    Readers will also gain exclusive insight into how to tackle Augusta National from Justin Rose, who finished runner-up to Rory McIlroy in last year’s dramatic playoff.

    Chris Jones, Editor, Today’s Golfer, said: “The Green Jacket. Magnolia Lane. Amen Corner. Azaleas. The Par 3 Contest and pimento cheese sandwiches. The Champions’ Dinner and the Butler Cabin… The Masters is a golf event like no other.

    “Some of golf’s greatest champions have claimed victory at Augusta — from Jack Nicklaus, the record six-time winner, to Arnold Palmer, a four-time champion adored by fans; Tiger Woods, whose 1997 and 2019 triumphs defined eras; and Sir Nick Faldo, who capitalised on Europe’s golden era to win three Green Jackets. Together, they make the Masters not just a tournament, but a timeless celebration of golf’s beauty, history, tradition and spirit.

    “In this special publication, we celebrate them all. We delve into the history of the club and the course; speak to the legendary players who have enjoyed the most success there; and ask former champions and current stars for their insight into what makes Augusta National so uniquely challenging.”

    Your Definitive Guide to the Masters is available in print on all UK newsstands from Wednesday 28 January, or to purchase online or from https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/your-definitive-guide-to-the-masters

    Priced at £9.99  (UK), it is an essential collectible for golfers and fans of the first men’s major of the year, held annually in April.

  • Hearst UK announces new Chief Commercial Officer

    Hearst UK announces new Chief Commercial Officer

    Unitt will head up a new-look Commercial Team, uniting Hearst UK’s Client & Agency Sales and Brand Diversification divisions to drive closer commercial collaboration, accelerate innovation and deliver a more connected service for partners. Unitt will also be responsible for Hearst Global Solutions in the UK, helping the global sales teams based outside of the UK unlock multi-market activations.

    Unitt brings experience spanning international luxury, retail, marketing and strategic partnerships, joining Hearst UK from Harrods where he has served as Partnerships Director. Prior to this, he held senior commercial and partnership leadership roles across global media and publishing businesses including Time Inc., Condé Nast, Monocle and BBC Global News.

    Katie Vanneck-Smith, CEO, Hearst UK, commented: “Hearst UK’s diversified commercial offering spans brand partnerships, licensing, commerce and experiential, enabling us to uniquely connect brands with engaged communities. As we continue to evolve our partner-centric approach, this appointment is an integral part of our strategy.  

    Alex is a highly creative, client-focused leader with a strong track record of driving growth, shaped by senior roles at multiple high-profile organisations. He also brings experience navigating fast-moving, complex markets. I’m delighted to welcome him to Hearst UK.”

    Alex Unitt commented: “Hearst UK is home to some of the most globally recognised and influential brands in media. Built on decades of trust, they have the power to engage highly passionate audiences in brand-safe environments.

    This is an extremely compelling proposition for commercial partners, and I’m looking forward to working with the talented team to deliver innovative, cross-platform solutions.”

    Unitt will sit on Hearst UK’s Executive Leadership Team and report to CEO, Katie Vanneck-Smith. He commences his role in March.  

  • Magazine publishers launch Atria

    Magazine publishers launch Atria

    Today, leading magazine media publishers launch Atria, a new premium marketplace that will make it easier for advertisers and agencies to reach quality audiences at scale, in brand-safe, trusted online environments. 

    • For the first time, advertisers will be able to run a single campaign across the UK’s leading trusted editorial brands of Bauer, Future, Hearst UK, HELLO!, Immediate, and Time Out 
       
    • The new publisher marketplace, Atria, hosted by Permutive, will make it easier for advertisers and agencies to plan and book across trusted editorial environments at scale 
       
    • Atria is powered by publisher-owned audience first party data, giving advertisers access to high-quality, brand-safe inventory and audiences all in one place 

    Brands include Time Out, HELLO!, ELLE, Grazia, Good Food, Good Housekeeping, Empire, Radio Times, Cosmopolitan, FourFourTwo, Mother&Baby, BBC Gardeners’ World, Esquire, Red, Ideal Home, Country Walking, Car, Olive, Madeformums, Runner’s World, Woman & Home, Cycling Weekly, MCN, BBC Top Gear, and many more. 

    Cath Waller, Managing Director, Advertising at Immediate and Chair of PPA Magnetic, said: “Atria is a hugely positive step forward for the advertising community. By bringing together the UK’s most trusted editorial brands on a single platform, we’re making it easier for agencies and advertisers to access guaranteed quality, brand-safe environments at scale – at a time where it’s never been more important. This innovation gives advertisers a smarter, more effective and transparent way to connect with our premium audiences”.

    It has been welcomed by the industry: 

    Chris Turner, Managing Partner, Head of Digital Investment EssenceMediacom North, and Programmatic Services Team EssenceMediacom UK    , commented: “Any initiative that helps agencies and advertisers access trusted, high-quality, brand safe publisher environments and audiences at scale, is exactly what we should all strive to deliver for our clients. At a time when quality and trust are rightly top priorities, this can only be a positive step for the industry.” 

    Michelle Sarpong, Head of Activation, the7Stars, added: “Bringing multiple publishers together through one marketplace is a great initiative. This will make it simpler for agencies and advertisers to plan with confidence, ensuring quality, transparency, and scale in one place. In a market where context and credibility matter more than ever, having easier access to premium, brand-safe inventory from trusted editorial environments is a real advantage. This kind of initiative is a win for everyone.” 
     
    Charlotte Taylor, Head of Non-AV Trading, PMX Publicis, said “Magazine brands have always been built on trust and credibility, qualities that matter more than ever. For advertisers, having access to responsible, high-quality environments means confidence that their campaigns are landing in the right context and making a real impact.”

    Advertisers and agencies can find out more at www.atria.co.uk or contact info@atria.co.uk 

    Press follow up contact PPA@Hawthornadvisors.com  

  • ICO affirm independence from government

    ICO affirm independence from government

    Edwards was clear that while the ICO shares the government’s interest in economic growth, it does not take direction from ministers on how to balance growth against data protection.

    He said, “[the ICO] have a statutory obligation to act independently… there’s a limit in the granularity that government can deliver in terms of directing an independent office such as ours”.

    Edwards noted that he does not feel pressure from the government to change the ICO’s approach to risk or enforcement, affirming that the ICO is “trusted to make those decisions.”

    The ICO is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology. You can find more about their work, here. 

    The ICO is reviewing evidence from stakeholders on ad tech regulation and consent requirements, including from the PPA. They are expected to publish a response in due course.

    The PPA is also coordinating with the ICO to arrange a meeting later this year to discuss publishers’ views on their work. If you wish to discuss these issues further, please contact eilidh.wilson@ppa.co.uk

  • Men’s Health UK and Ben Shephard join forces for podcast launch

    Men’s Health UK and Ben Shephard join forces for podcast launch

    Recent Men’s Health cover star Ben Shephard will co-host new podcast, Built For Life, with Men’s Health UK’s Director of Fitness, Andrew Tracey.

    Launching on Thursday 22 January, Built For Life will welcome industry leading experts like Michelin-star chef Tom Aikens, as well as guests from the world of sport and entertainment. The first episode will kick off with Paddy Pimblett, the UFC star better known as ‘Paddy the Baddy’, ahead of his high-profile fight.

    Other guests to follow in the coming weeks and months include TV personality Spencer Matthews, who sat down with Men’s Health UK just days after arriving back from an epic endurance challenge in the Antarctic.

    Ben Shephard, broadcaster, journalist and founder of The Business Men said: “The chance to work with Andrew Tracey – who is such a mine of knowledge, experience and practical ideas – and the Men’s Health team was something I jumped at.

    I love Men’s Health and everything it represents, and to be able to quiz all these brilliant minds and talented individuals who share our passion for health and wellbeing whether they’re chefs, broadcasters, athletes, musicians, physicians or simply passionate amateurs is truly inspiring. I feel like a kid in a sweet shop, just with less sweets and more protein!”

    Andrew Tracey, Director of Fitness, Men’s Health UK added: “Our focus at Men’s Health UK has always been to cut through the noise and hype – providing measured, scientific and expert consensus, alongside inspirational and actionable real-world advice. It feels more important now than ever to bring that energy to the podcast world. We’re not pretending this podcast will change your life, but we do promise it will give you the tools you need to go out and do that yourself.”

    Built For Life joins a number of podcasts produced by Hearst UK, which include Women’s Health’s Just As Well, Good Housekeeping’s My Life is a Biscuit Tin, and the Runner’s World podcast. It will be available on all major podcast platforms, and Men’s Health UK’s YouTube channel.

  • Bauer announce partnership with Resuscitation Council UK

    Bauer announce partnership with Resuscitation Council UK

    Bauer Media Group is combining its three UK businesses, Outdoor, Publishing, and Audio, to deliver life-saving impact at scale.

    Bauer Media Outdoor is transforming everyday infrastructure into a network of emergency access points. Defibrillators are being installed in select communication kiosks nationwide and in bus shelters in Portsmouth, each clearly marked and registered on The Circuit, the UK’s national defibrillator network. Wherever possible, Bauer Media Outdoor will work with partners to place defibrillators in underserved communities, ensuring they are available where needed most.

    This means emergency services can instantly direct people to the nearest available unit. To support those moments, RCUK CPQR codes will be added to the access points, delivering guidance on the steps needed for CPR and using a defibrillator. Later this year, a nationwide Out of Home campaign will reinforce awareness on digital screens across the UK.

    Bauer Media Publishing has already rolled out RCUK advertising across its portfolio of magazines, including: TV Choice, Take a Break, CAR and Today’s Golfer, while digital ads have appeared across brands such as Grazia, Closer, Mojo and Empire.

    Bauer Media Audio will take the message onto radio, with campaigns across stations, including Greatest Hits Radio, Magic and Jazz FM.

    The collaboration also includes a CPR awareness programme for Bauer Media Group staff across all three businesses, embedding lifesaving knowledge internally while driving impact externally.

    Together, these channels create a multi-platform effort to raise awareness, tackle inequalities, and expand access to life-saving knowledge and tools nationwide.

    Every year, more than 40,000 people suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK, yet less than 1 in 10 survive. 1 Survival rates are lowest in deprived communities, where CPR is performed less often. Over a third (38%) of UK adults have never received CPR training, 2 and only 22% of people from certain ethnic minority backgrounds have received training in the last decade, compared to 41% of the wider UK population.3 This partnership aims to close that gap.

    Simon Kilby, Managing Director, Bauer Media Advertising, commented: “Bauer Media Group’s reach spans millions of people every day in print, on air, and out on the streets. That gives us a unique opportunity, and a responsibility, to use our platforms for good. Through this partnership with RCUK, we’re not just sharing information, we’re embedding life-saving tools into the heart of our infrastructure and communities. From training our teams to fitting automated external defibrillators in everyday spaces, this is about giving people the confidence, knowledge, and access to act when every second matters.”

    James Cant, CEO of Resuscitation Council UK, said: “Survival from cardiac arrest shouldn’t depend on your postcode or your background. This partnership with Bauer Media Group is a bold step towards changing that – putting defibrillators where they’re needed most and empowering more people with the knowledge and confidence to save a life when every second counts.”

  • National Year of Reading kicks off with star-studded event  

    National Year of Reading kicks off with star-studded event  

    The National Year of Reading has been designed to inspire people of all ages to ‘go all in’ on the things they already love through reading in whatever way works for them – whether that’s magazines, graphic novels, print books or audiobooks.  

    Sajeeda Merali, CEO, PPA said: “The PPA is proud to support the National Year of Reading. Magazine brands have a long-standing role in encouraging lifelong reading habits and engaging audiences of all ages. Through this partnership, we want to highlight the power of reading and the cognitive, emotional and social benefits it brings, helping to transform attitudes to reading, inspire curiosity, and better enable people to tell the difference between fact and fiction. We will be encouraging our members to pledge their support and get behind this very important campaign.” 

    Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive, National Literacy Trust commented: “The National Year of Reading provides us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate the UK’s relationship with reading and change people’s life stories. Whether it’s a baby experiencing the magic of a picture book for the first time, a family listening to an audiobook on the school run, a teenager immersed in fan fiction, or an adult reading the football pages on their commute, reading is for everyone.”  

    At the launch event, former Arsenal and England footballer Theo Walcott, author, producer, and TV presenter Richard Osman and children’s authors and illustrators Nadia Shireen and Jordan Glover joined local primary school children in a series of activities to spotlight how passions such as football can ignite a love of reading and lead to exciting jobs. 

    Throughout the year, there will be lots of opportunities for individuals, families, schools, libraries, businesses and community and cultural partners to get involved with the National Year of Reading. 

    The PPA will providing more details of how members can directly get involved in the coming weeks, but in the meantime more information can be found here.