IPA, AA and DIT head to US for Trade Mission

The fact-finding mission, led by IPA President Sarah Golding, brought back cutting edge insights and trends from the leading US tech companies in San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Hollywood, including Amazon Twitch, BuzzFeed, Whatsapp/Oculus, Snap, Spotify and more.

It also formed part of a wider Promote UK programme to position the UK as a global hub in the pre and post-Brexit era, help UK agencies to build and develop business opportunities with international investors, tech businesses and brands, and provide export support if they want to set up offices abroad.

During the trip, the agency-head delegates:

• Met the thought leaders in companies making waves in VR, AR and Immersive Technology, Blockchain and the Internet of Things.
• Explored how marketing and advertising can harness AI and voice for future brand communications.
• Found out how business models are changing and where advertising and brand communications fit in.
• Experienced the new ecosystem of studios and entertainment offerings.
• Networked with the people who matter to make their business get ahead of the curve.

Says Paul Bainsfair, Director General, IPA who will be joining the delegation: “The UK and US have a long history of sharing the best thinking and the best people. Many British and American advertising agencies operated in both the US and UK markets before expanding to other parts of the globe. We are embarking on this – our third mission to the US West Coast - to continue this great tradition, for which will visit exciting, innovative companies who are working with the latest technology in fields that touch and influence the advertising sector. In return, we bring advertising expertise and an appetite for knowledge. Our past missions have been a great success and we look forward to builder further connections this time.”

Read highlights of the trip here and attend our event - free to members - on 5th December.