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Hey everyone, welcome back to The Brief by Kuro House, your daily dose of marketing news and insights. Today’s stories are all about change—whether it’s brands rethinking their messaging, agencies landing big projects, or major leadership moves shaking up the industry. Let’s dive into the most compelling stories making waves in the marketing world over the last 24 hours.

First up, let’s talk about a significant leadership shift at The Observer. According to Campaign Live, The Observer has just named both a new chief commercial officer and a director of advertising. While the article itself is behind a registration wall, the move signals a renewed focus on commercial strategy and advertising innovation at one of the UK’s most respected publications. Leadership changes at this level often bring a fresh perspective and new priorities, so it’ll be interesting to watch how The Observer’s approach to both content and partnerships evolves in the coming months. If you’re working in media or looking to partner with major publishers, keep an eye on how these new appointments influence The Observer’s commercial offerings.

Next, we’re seeing a notable pivot in retail marketing. Lidl, the supermarket chain known for its value proposition, is shifting its brand platform from “value for money” to “personal values.” As reported by Campaign Live, this move reflects a broader trend where consumers are looking for brands that align with their own beliefs and priorities, not just their wallets. While details from the article are limited, the headline alone hints at a strategic repositioning that could impact everything from advertising tone to in-store experiences. For marketers, this is a reminder that brand purpose and values are becoming as important as price and product—especially in a crowded market.

In agency news, Claudia Wallace has joined Neverland as chief client officer, according to another update from Campaign Live. Wallace’s appointment is noteworthy because Neverland is an agency known for its creative approach and client-centric culture. Bringing in a new chief client officer suggests that Neverland is doubling down on its commitment to client relationships and service excellence. For agencies and clients alike, leadership changes like this often precede new ways of working and fresh energy in client partnerships.

On the creative front, Fold7 has won the 2026 project for The National Literacy Trust, again reported by Campaign Live. While the specifics are behind a registration wall, the win itself is significant. The National Literacy Trust is a major player in educational advocacy, and landing a multi-year project like this signals that Fold7 is seen as a trusted partner for purpose-driven campaigns. This could lead to some innovative work in the literacy and education space, and it’s a reminder of the growing importance of agencies that can blend creativity with social impact.

Finally, let’s look at the ad platform landscape. Kantar’s latest findings, as highlighted by Campaign Live, show that Amazon brands now dominate consumers’ preferred ad platforms. While we don’t have the granular data, the headline suggests a major shift in where consumers are most engaged and receptive to advertising. For marketers, this underscores the importance of Amazon’s ecosystem—not just as a retail channel but as a primary space for reaching audiences with targeted ads. If Amazon wasn’t already on your media plan, these findings are a wake-up call to take their ad platforms seriously.

That’s it for today’s episode of The Brief. As always, the marketing landscape is evolving fast, with brands and agencies alike rethinking their strategies, leadership, and partnerships. Stay curious, stay agile, and we’ll see you back here tomorrow for more insights to keep you ahead of the curve. Thanks for listening!