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BBC World News and BBC.com launch ‘Live the Story’ global campaign
MUMBAI: BBC World News and BBC.com will launch ‘Live the Story,’ a new brand positioning and global marketing campaign on 14 March.
The activity will include television, press, online, radio, out of home and experiential media. The campaign will span consumer and trade media with particular focus on Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong and additional activity across other European markets and the US.
In January, BBC World News relaunched from Broadcasting House in central London, with new studios, new programmes and a refreshed line-up of presenters including Jon Sopel and Yalda Hakim alongside BBC World News on air personalities such as Komla Dumor, Mishal Husain, Lyse Doucet and Stephen Sackur.
The BBC‘s international news operations have provided global audiences with high quality, impartial and engaging news content for many years.
The new brand position is ‘Live the Story’. It focuses on BBC World News and bbc.com/news unique ability to engage its audiences through its story telling.
The activity will include TV, press, online, radio, OOH and experiential media. The focus of the media plan will be Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong. However, there will be activity across other European markets and the US.
Komla Dumor tells of the pride surrounding African football, Lyse Doucet talks about the immediate aftermath of a car bomb, Laura Trevelyn describes natures force during hurricanes and David Shuckman speaks of the majesty of a space rocket taking off. All ads share the same thing – insight that only a BBC journalist living the story can share.
There is also a substantial digital element to the campaign that follow the lead of the television creative and offers users an added layer of interactivity. In addition, there will also be interactive press ads, digital out of home ads and experiential activity.
BBC Global News Ltd sales and marketing director Chris Davies said, “Our correspondents and presenters live through the most amazing, terrifying, and sometimes life-changing moments so that they can bring these experiences directly to our audiences. Who better then to be the focus of both our brand campaign and of our marketing efforts. Our journalists often put themselves in danger to tell us the real story and as they live the story, so do we”.
The TV ads were directed by Kyle Cooper and all display his trademark use of detail, texture and atmosphere.
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Publicis Groupe acquires sports marketing agency 160over90
Deal strengthens Publicis Sports with global scale and talent partnerships.
MUMBAI: Publicis Groupe has just scored a major goal in the sports marketing arena and this time, it’s not just about fans in the stands, but brands looking to win big. The French advertising giant has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 160over90, a leading global sports and culture-first agency that is part of WME Group. The move builds on Publicis Sports’ recent expansions, including the acquisitions of Adopt and Bespoke in 2025, a partnership with Magic Johnson Enterprises, and the launch of Influential Sports.
The combined Publicis Sports group will be led by Suzy Deering, CEO of Publicis Sports. Robbie Henchman, most recently President of 160over90, will stay with WME Group as Senior Partner and President of its brand representation business while overseeing the strategic partnership between WME Group and Publicis Groupe.
160over90 employs over 670 people across the US, UK, EMEA and APAC. It specialises in creating meaningful connections between brands, sports events, properties and culture. The sports media market is valued at $150 billion globally, while sports sponsorships have crossed $90 billion, yet many marketers still struggle with fragmented and outdated approaches.
With this acquisition, Publicis aims to offer brands a more unified solution through greater scale and reach across key markets, data-first optimisation powered by the Publicis Sports Intelligence platform, activation of the creator economy via Influential, and a new strategic talent and entertainment partnership with WME Group.
Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun described sport as one of the most high-value channels in the age of AI. “This acquisition is the latest demonstration of our ongoing commitment to investing in the channels and capabilities that deliver the highest value for our clients,” he said.
Publicis Connected Media CEO Dave Penski added that sport has become the most powerful intersection of culture, commerce and community.
WME Group president and managing partner Mark Shapiro noted that combining 160over90 with Publicis Sports will create an unmatched offering for brands seeking deeper connections with sports fans.
In a fragmented sports marketing landscape, Publicis has clearly decided that the best way to win is to bring the whole team together turning scattered plays into one powerful, end-to-end strategy that connects brands to fans in meaningful and measurable ways.
