McCann Birmingham

McCann Worldgroup has once again been named #1 Most Effective Agency Network in the 2023 Global Effie Index, reclaiming our position at the top of these global effectiveness rankings 👏 This record-breaking performance has been shaped by the equally impressive performance of our regions – Europe was #1 for the 7th consecutive year, North America reclaimed its #1 ranking, APAC and Latin America were in the top 3, and the Middle East & Africa in the top 5. 🏆 The total? 2 Grand, 46 Gold, 65 Silver, 68 Bronze and 193 Finalists! Congratulations to all our colleagues and clients across the world 💙 McCann Worldgroup McCann Worldgroup UK & Europe #TruthWellTold Effie Worldwide

The sun is shining and the top social media stories are in 🔥 Here's what you need to know: 🎶 YouTube adds option to save music from Shorts Creators can now save music from the Shorts feed, allowing them to reuse the audio in different applications. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gC5nGNPB 🚫 X is testing an option to block links in post replies To avoid users heading away from the platform, X has already downgraded the reach of posts with links, changed link previews and added native long-form position options. Now, it's also looking to enable users to stop people from adding links to post replies. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gRJ38qVV 🗒 Instagram expands Notes to Reels and feed posts IG's Notes messaging feature continues to expand, this time for both Reels and in feed posts. Followers are now able to add a note from the messaging menu. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dKbGqrbN 📸 Instagram tests making 'messaging' icon the main focus As we've already seen from the expansion of notes, Instagram is all about the DM engagement. Some users are now seeing a new 'messaging' icon in the centre of the lower function bar in the app, with post creation icon moving to the top right. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gKat_B5V 📹 X tests auto advance mode for video viewing X is testing a new option that would enable users to keep X videos flowing through, without having to manually swipe to the next clip. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d9PZ36uY #FiveonFire #SocialMediaNews

The news that Google will no longer be scrapping third-party cookies from its Chrome browser certainly shocked the industry yesterday 🍪   If this update has disrupted your cookieless strategy planning, we’ve got you covered! Our cookie experts from across the McCann Central network have shared valuable insights and advice to help you adjust your strategy and make the most of this change.   Got questions about cookies and data strategy? Drop us a message in our inbox, and we’ll connect you with one of our team. #GoogleCookies #ThirdPartyCookies #DataInsights #McCannCentral

Two years ago, our home city opened its doors to sporting excellence and the rest of the world for the Commonwealth Games. It was a huge moment for Birmingham, and the positive impact is still felt today.   We're so excited that Birmingham will be in the global spotlight once again, this time playing host for the 2027 Invictus Games 👏   Birmingham, let's show them how its done! Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 The NEC, Birmingham

Win the minds of B2B buyers with the latest article for WARC by McCann Central Managing Partner, Colin Gray 👇

These are the social media stories you need to know this week 👀 Catch up on the hottest news with Five on Fire 🔥 🎶 Instagram announce new audio track feature The feature will enable users to add multiple music tracks to their Reels, so they can add variable soundtrack elements within a single clip. Example screenshots so that users can include up to 20 tracks in a single Reel. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ekkKdBuu ⭐️ WhatsApp adds 'favourites' tab to help you keep up with key connections Users will now be able to create a dedicated listing of key contacts, so you can switch over and ensure you're keeping up with the most important discussions. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dDaNb8zd 💖 Instagram experiments with 'Super Likes' for Stories Currently in testing, the 'Super Like' would enable you to express your enthusiasm for a Story by pressing and holding on the like button. Screenshot examples show that only one 'Super Like' can be sent every 24 hours. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dq_3gqBP 🎠 Instagram is restricting its promotion of variable image size carousels The new option to upload carousel collections of different sized images is seemingly unable to be boosted. Screenshots show an error message when a user has tried to boost a carousel post with a full screen image. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eb27YcGZ 📌 Pinterest outlines AI background generation for product shots Pinterest is developing its own AI text-to-image generation process, though Pinterest’s approach is slightly different to what you’re seeing in other apps. As outlined in a new overview from the Pinterest Engineering team, Pinterest’s “Canvas” model aims to provide generated options for product backgrounds, without altering the product shot itself as the main focus. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ebZExrnM #FiveOnFire #SocialMediaNews

The latest IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising) Bellwether report, published this morning, sees UK marketing budget growth hit a decade high 🚀 The Q2 2024 survey includes: ⭐️ Marketing budgets see strongest upward revision since Q1 2024 ⭐ Upward revisions to budgets across every main category ⭐️ Company-own financial prospects at strongest since Q3 2021 Chris Falconer, Group Managing Director, at McCann Central said: ‘It’s great to see the IPA’s Q2 Bellwether results showing an improved performance and a brighter outlook. For our part, we’ve certainly noted an increase in activity across all of our McCann Central offices and growing demand for key services particularly social, B2B, PR and Media. We’ve also had a busy first six months in terms of new business and, with some big wins under our belts, we are confident about the second half of the year.” Read more on the report here: https://lnkd.in/eR4V66ph #BellwetherReport McCann Demand McCann Bristol McCann Leeds

Last week, our CCO Vince McSweeney was one of the key speakers at The Leadership Summit by the CEO briefing room.   Entitled ‘AI without the BS’, Vince spoke to visionary leaders, industry pioneers and strategic thinkers. His highly entertaining presentation dispelled AI myths, provided insights into a range of different platforms, demonstrated the breadth and depth of AI, as well as delved into some of the issues to be aware of - and much more 🤖 #TruthWellTold

How do you create human connection across three nations? From little suburbs to large metropolises, CrossCountry Trains serves a lot of different people all on different journeys. So, when it was time for a new brand platform, they needed to get it right. For the latest episode of The Brief, we're joined by David Mullins, Colette Casey, Vince McSweeney and Haydn Russell to hear more about the challenges, successes, lessons and future plans for 'Take Us On Your Journey' Listen here 👇 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cxDg3q Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/4cWLD8E  Apple podcasts: https://apple.co/46gVLah #TheBriefPodcast #TruthWellTold

Kick off your Friday with the hottest social media stories from the week 🔥 Here's what you need to know... 📺 YouTube tests 'Add Yours' stickers for Shorts Sound familiar? YouTube is following in the footsteps of Instagram and TikTok by testing 'Add Yours' stickers to encourage participation with Shorts. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gkUxBV9G 🗑 Facebook tests 'Clear Mode' for uncluttered Reels viewing After testing on Instagram, Facebook is also trying a new mode which gives a clearer view of Reels. The feature would enable users to hide the description and UI buttons. Read more: https://lnkd.in/giJDB3BZ 🚫 TikTok announces updates including ads targeted at teens and AI disclosure requirements Targeting options for advertisers looking to reach teens on TikToks is now restricted. Now, only broad options such as location, language, and device-related information will be available. The platform is also rolling out AI disclosure requirements on ads. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gGCSsBaU 💬 WhatsApp adds new safety measures for group chats Ever been added to a WhatsApp group with no idea what it's about? Well, WhatsApp is looking to add more transparency to group invites by adding 'context cards' which includes a note on who added you to a group, when it was created, and a description (if available). Read more: https://lnkd.in/gd49T85b 📱 Instagram experiments with chat widgets In a bid to fuel more engagement in DMs, Instagram is testing chat widgets. The new feature allows users to add additional tools into your chat, for example a countdown or timezone widget. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gRksYGar #SocialMediaNews #FiveOnFire