UK Advertising is rolling out a series of hybrid events and reports to support Export Month in March.

The move follows the successful launch of virtual events set up during the pandemic under the umbrella of ‘UK House’. Plans this spring will include in-person and virtual activity at key industry events such as SXSW. 

The Export Month campaign is led by the UK Advertising Export Group (UKAEG), which is the advertising industry partnership run by the Advertising Association, the IPA, APA, BPMA, and the Creative Industries Council.

The group brings together over 50 leading creative businesses with the UK Government's Department for International Trade (DIT). It is designed to drive international trade for the industry. 

This year will see an extension of UKAEG’s activity as the group visits eight regions in eight weeks including in-person trade missions to events such as SXSW. As well as hosting virtual missions with networking opportunities to India and Amsterdam. The month of activity will culminate in an event hosted at the Carlton Club on March 29, which will feature Damian Collins MP.

In addition to the hybrid events, the fourth annual Export Report will be released on March 2 by the UKAEG and will contain the first set of data on how advertising exports were impacted by the global Covid-19 lockdowns.  

Janet Hull, Chair of UKAEG, Member Creative Industries Council, and IPA Director of Marketing Strategy said: “Creative excellence is the hallmark of UK advertising and the trade opportunities afforded by the UK’s vast advertising services market are second to none. With the UK boasting the world’s most advanced digital advertising market, it is only right that businesses have the opportunity to celebrate and increase their reach during Export Month.”

She continued “Last November saw DIT launch a new export strategy with a £1 trillion export target, and UKAEG’s role is fundamental in championing the advertising industry’s place in generating export business for the UK economy in our recovery landscapes.”

Stephen Woodford, Chief Executive, Advertising Association, added: “Export Month is the best way to learn about the opportunities UK advertising offers to help businesses reach global markets. UK advertising demonstrated impressive resilience and agility during the coronavirus pandemic, quickly following changes in consumer behaviour via e-commerce and adapting to further strengthen brands online.”

According to Woodford the programme of activity in March aims to equip businesses for the dynamic year ahead. This will include the return of activity around SXSW as well as an event looking ahead to the advertising opportunities surrounding November’s FIFA World Cup.
To find out more about the programme of events click here.