Leaders Outlook Towards Global Media & Entertainment Sector 2025

In today’s fast-evolving print and marketing industry, new trailblazers are stepping up to lead the charge, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to the forefront. These leaders not only head their respective organizations but are also driving transformation in the fields of media, advertising, and technology. With a focus on innovation, diversity, and ethical practices, they are reshaping the landscape of modern marketing. Their leadership styles are diverse, but they share a common goal: to push boundaries, leverage emerging technologies, and create more inclusive, effective marketing practices that resonate with consumers.

Here, we explore the achievements of some of these influential figures shaping the future of the industry.

1. Adam Foley

Adam Foley is recognized for introducing Bountiful Cow's name into the media through creativity analytics strategies led by his own personified emblem. Moreover, under his leadership, Bountiful Cow has virtually succeeded in augmenting traditional marketing via new media in order to craft an edifying personal experience with consumers. Certainly, innovation is the culture that he believes in bringing to the company through, in plain words, transparency and accountability, all of which mechanisms are geared towards the cherished values of the media.

He stated, “The competitive set for attention is anything that’s ever been made and I’m looking forward to seeing how brands rise to that challenge.”

2. Lindsey Clay

Lindsey Clay has led Thinkbox, the UK’s marketing body for commercial TV, for many years, transforming it into a strong advocate for TV advertising in a digital age. She has championed TV’s role in delivering lasting brand impact and effectiveness. Under her guidance, Thinkbox has integrated new technologies to strengthen TV’s position in a multi-platform world, cementing Clay as a key voice in advertising.

Clay said, “Was it a ripple suggesting a tide that might finally turn? Add it to other ripples like Nick Manning’s Who Cares? project and the enormous business, moral, cultural and social case for investing in media and practices that enrich us in every sense and don’t do harm, and I dare to hope that we can drag our industry back towards the light.”

3. James Townsend

James Townsend currently heads the EMEA operations, Stagwell. This means driving the company's expansion in key markets. Stagwell is considered an innovative marketing, design, and digital transformation company as it continues under Townsend's leadership, who thrives in developing stronger client relationships and integrating marketing technologies with creativity. Digital transformation is his mark on how he has fundamentally rethought the delivery of advanced solutions for global brands.

Townsend said, “2025 will be a great year as those with the right combination of talent and technology come together to challenge every aspect of the market.”

4. Dino Myers-Lamptey

The founder of The Barber Shop, Dino Myers-Lamptey, is well-known for championing diversity and inclusion in marketing, its platform is that of providing a voice for some of the unrepresented in advertising, crafting high-quality campaigns while fostering an inclusive culture. Myers-Lamptey has ideas on the broader, more balanced representation of real people and ideas in media.

He added, “Media will become more than the media, simply because brands, creatives and quality media need it to survive.”

5. Sue Unerman

Sue Unerman, Global Chief Strategy Officer at Brainlabs, leads the company in leveraging data and technology to deliver smarter advertising solutions. Under Unerman's stewardship, the company has transformed to a top performance marketing agency. Unerman argues for the harnessing of data to produce both greater and lasting commercial outcomes-bringing creativity and precision together in becoming recognized as a strategic marketing leader.

Unerman said, “Gen AI will revolutionise many things and will also create two new challenges: a level playing field and, at the same time, a fog through which the truth will be harder to identify.”

6. Craig Tuck

Craig Tuck, Chief Revenue Officer at Ozone, drives the company’s growth through innovative solutions that connect publishers, advertisers, and audiences. Ozone’s platform helps publishers retain control over content while offering effective advertising. Tuck’s focus on transparency and privacy has fueled significant growth, addressing key concerns for both consumers and advertisers.

Tuck stated, “It’s not overly bullish to say that the real winners this year will be those that focus on the importance of the consumer advertising experience and how AI can enhance this — rather than thinking of the tech alone as a silver bullet to every media challenge.”

7. Rachel Forde

Rachel Forde co-founded TheZoo.London, a company at the forefront of blending creativity and technology. TheZoo designs custom marketing strategies incorporating emerging trends like AI and blockchain. Forde’s leadership, driven by a focus on innovation and disruption, has made TheZoo.London a standout in digital marketing.

Forde said, “Those who embrace AI thoughtfully and strategically will stay ahead in an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving market.”

8. Alex DeGroote

Alex DeGroote, a premier TMT analyst, provides essential insight into an evolving media and tech landscape. He is keen on market trends, mergers, and what's in the future for technology and helps businesses cut through complexity. He has the knack for finding emerging trends before they materialize, which is why his advice is often sought by business people wanting to get ahead.

DeGroote said, “There is a recognised social good here, as well, in terms of promoting female health and fitness across all age groups.”

9. Chloe Davies

Chloe Davies is redefining marketing through It Takes A Village Collective, which harnesses community power for brand engagement. She is transforming how brands interact with their audience by uniting diverse influencers and consumers. Authentic, collaborative, and inclusive, Davies is at the forefront of her industry.

Davies added, “In a landscape overwhelmed by noise, reality will be the differentiator. Media that dares to be real—raw, relevant, and reflective—will stand out, capturing hearts, minds, and the cultural moment. This is the year we reclaim authentic representation as the ultimate power.”

10. Dave Singleton

Dave Singleton is the person who shapes the media investment strategy for People's Postcode Lottery, one of the UK's largest charities. His focus on effective media partnerships ensures that the charity reaches the right audiences while maintaining ethical marketing standards. Singleton maximizes the impact of every media dollar, boosting both revenue and awareness for the charity's causes.

Singleton remarked, “In 2025, this issue will become impossible to ignore. Brands will need to invest in new short- and long-term measurement approaches and cultivate a renewed culture of experimentation to validate investment in emerging channels.”

Conclusion

These leaders represent the vibrant and constantly evolving world of media and marketing. Each has brought a unique vision to their respective companies, influencing how brands communicate with audiences, how diversity is represented, and how new technologies are integrated into the industry. Their collective impact shows how leadership today is about embracing change, advocating for diversity, and driving innovation.