UK Marketing Budgets Rise Across All Categories in Q3
The IPA Bellwether Report for Q3 2026 indicates a broad recovery in UK marketing budgets, with a net balance of +14.3% of marketers increasing spend—the highest in nine quarters and the third consecutive quarterly growth. All main media subcategories saw upward revisions for the first time, including main media (+9.8%) and 'other online' (+17.2%). PR (+15.3%) and events (+15.1%) led growth, followed by sales promotions (+13.1%). Despite this, industry and company-level financial confidence remain negative, though improved from Q2. S&P Global raised UK GDP growth forecasts for 2026 to 1.2%, supported by events like the FIFA World Cup, but risks from geopolitical tensions and high fuel prices persist. Ad spend forecasts were revised up for 2026 to 2.8% but down for 2027 to 1.3%. Industry experts offer mixed reactions, highlighting opportunities in creator marketing, out-of-home, audio, and video, while cautioning about walled gardens and the need for data quality and attention measurement as AI becomes more prevalent.