ORLANDO WOOD INTERVIEW: WHY ADVERTISING NEEDS SHOWMANSHIP AGAIN – AN INTERVIEW WITH ORLANDO WOOD

2. 9. 2025 A leading voice in advertising effectiveness, Orlando Wood has transformed the industry’s understanding of how creativity drives commercial success. As Chief Innovation Officer at System1 and an Honorary Fellow of the IPA, he has studied more than 26,000 ads and authored the acclaimed books Lemon and Look Out. His award-winning research has shown why showmanship matters more than ever in an age of AI, streaming, and short-termism. We asked him to share his views on the enduring principles of effective advertising, the future role of television, and how brands can rediscover the creativity that fuels long-term growth.

SUMMER-FLAVOURED TV ADVERTISING: AD SPOTS FILLED WITH SUN, SEA AND CHEERFUL VIBES ENCOURAGE SHOPPING

2. 9. 2025 Summer has come to an end, but even a few rays of sunshine can keep the summer mood alive. The flood of summer-themed TV commercials is gradually fading, and so is the effort by brands to tap into the specific consumer behaviour typical of the warmest season of the year—one devoted to experiences and relaxation.

INVESTMENT IN ADVERTISING TO SLOW THIS YEAR, TRADITIONAL MEDIA TO DECLINE

2. 9. 2025 Traditional media operators are the most affected by the absence of major events this year, so it is mainly purely digital players that are contributing to the overall market growth, says Pavel Koreň, describing the estimated development of advertising investments this year.

RADIOHOUSE AND TV NOVA WILL AGAIN SUPPORT SMALLER ENTREPRENEURS WITH CZK 100 MILLION

1. 9. 2025 Media agency Radiohouse in collaboration with TV Nova is launching another edition of the RH 300 Cross programme.

BEHIND THE WACKY AND WHIMSICAL REVIVAL OF MCDONALDLAND

31. 8. 2025 The nostalgic campaign continues a strategy rooted in fan truths, which is paying off for McDonald's.

THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS IN AUGUST ON TV SCREENS. WHAT DO EDUCATIONAL ADS TELL US ABOUT SOCIAL VALUES – AND ABOUT OURSELVES?

30. 8. 2025 Television campaigns focused on education no longer promote only crayons, backpacks and university brochures. Instead, they have become a tool for presenting universal social values, parental ambitions and cultural identity. From Target’s musical spectacle in the US to the digital revolution of India’s Byju’s to the film-style public campaign of the French Ministry of Education, education is now more than just a product in advertising. In the Czech environment, we are still keeping our feet on the ground, but this may be a call for positive change.

STADIUMS AS SUMMER ADVERTISING LABS. THE IMPACT OF MEGA SPORTS EVENTS ON BRAND MARKETING

29. 8. 2025 The biggest summer sporting events are not just competitions for trophies. There are also moments when advertising becomes a pop culture event. Wimbledon, the Tour de France, the US Open, the EURO and Formula 1 are not only the highlights of the sporting season but also comprehensive advertising laboratories. Each of these events offers a completely different media space – from the aristocratic minimalism of Wimbledon to the pop culture spectacle of the US Open to the technology-oriented branding of Formula 1. The common denominator is the effort of brands to achieve deeper audience engagement through new formats, digitalisation and personalised experiences. It is no longer just about reaching an audience – the goal is to create a cultural moment that resonates across channels, generations and markets. The Tour de France and the power of film aesthetics For many years, the Tour de France has rightly maintained its reputation as the largest and most-watched cycling race in the world. This Grand Tour, which takes place every July, is not only a sporting event but also a global advertising platform where many brands test the effectiveness of innovative formats. Live broadcasts of the Tour are provided by more than a hundred television stations in over 190 countries around the world, with a cumulative audience of over 3.5 billion viewers. The individual stages are filmed from the air, from motorcycles and from stationary cameras, making the Tour an ideal space for advertising and product placement. The race thus boasts a distinctive cinematic aesthetic.

THE FUTURE OF STREAMING IS DIFFERENT AD LOADS FOR EACH VIEWER

28. 8. 2025 As streamers experiment with ad load optimization, their only constraint is the consumer experience.

CREATIVITY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF OUR CIVILISATION. CREATIVITY IS LIFE, SAYS SIR JOHN HEGARTY

26. 8. 2025 Creativity is not the domain of artists—it is the holy grail for people working in various fields. It is an act of self-expression and therefore a vital competency for anyone who wants to grow and innovate, and who seeks new ways to create value and move themselves and their community forward. As such, it is a subject of interest across different industries. The global state of creativity in 2025 is addressed in the report The Business of Creativity, which includes insights from Sir John Hegarty, who has made immense contributions to shaping modern advertising.

EFFIE REGISTERS 118 APPLICATIONS THIS YEAR, A FIFTH MORE THAN LAST YEAR

26. 8. 2025 The largest domestic advertising effectiveness competition Effie will evaluate 118 applications this year. This is a record number.

ADS ARE LOUD, FLASHY, AND IN-YOUR-FACE. EXCEPT THESE ONES

25. 8. 2025 Brands like Whisker, Calm, and Angel Soft are using ad breaks to offer moments of relief from overstimulation.

NOSTALGIA LEVEL: MAX. HOW DO RETRO ADS WIN CUSTOMERS’ HEARTS?

25. 8. 2025 Memories of the good old days are both enjoyable and highly impactful – something brands eagerly leverage in their marketing. Nostalgia is one of the major marketing trends of 2025 and can connect consumers with the past, evoke positive emotions and create a deeper relationship with the brand. Advertisements referring to the popular culture of past decades, retro visuals or iconic slogans act as a kind of time machine, transporting viewers back to moments stored deep in their memory. Some brands, such as Coca-Cola, Nintendo and Volkswagen, have long relied on nostalgia and made it a key part of their identity. In times of rapid technological progress and uncertainty, retro marketing offers a safe haven – and an effective way to reach different generations. How do companies draw inspiration from the past, and why does this approach work so well?

STUDY USA: NEARLY HALF OF AD-SUPPORTED TV VIEWING IS STREAMING

22. 8. 2025 Streaming accounts for almost half (45.3%) of total US time spent with ad-supported TV, according to a July report from Nielsen.

REPORT: THE ONLY THING BIGGER THAN NFL TV ADS ARE NFL STREAMING ADS

22. 8. 2025 New data from EDO finds that ads during football games on Peacock, Netflix, and Amazon last year were more effective than in-game linear.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL CAMPAIGNS ARE HERE, BRANDS TARGET PARENTS AND STUDENTS

22. 8. 2025 As the start of the school year approaches, major brand marketing campaigns aimed at students and parents have kicked off.

THE FUTURE HAS ALREADY BEGUN. AR AND VR ARE TRANSFORMING TV ADVERTISING INTO AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE

21. 8. 2025 Smart TVs, augmented reality and the advent of new devices such as Apple Vision Pro are fundamentally changing the way brands communicate with customers. Television and outdoor advertising are no longer just one-way communications – they are becoming interactive, personalised experiences. Companies are investing in AR and VR campaigns for higher engagement, better conversions and lower costs. And even though these formats still face technical limitations, their role in the marketing mix is increasingly compelling.

GRUNT: NOVA TO RAISE AD PRICES ONLY SLIGHTLY— ONEPLAY TO CATCH UP WITH TV BY 2030

18. 8. 2025 TV Nova’s CEO, Daniel Grunt, confirms that Nova will increase TV advertising prices next year. However, the increase will not be as significant as last year. At the same time, he estimates that streaming revenues could match those from TV advertising around 2030.

WHAT’S DRIVING BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALES: EARLY DEALS, AI TOOLS, AND HYBRID SHOPPING

15. 8. 2025 Back-to-school spending is steady in 2025, but shopper behavior is split. Parents are prioritizing tech and clothing—yet these are also the first to be cut when budgets tighten. Consumers are shopping earlier, seeking deals, and using AI to keep costs down.