This year Jari Lähdevuori and Erika Danielsson from Kurio, Helsinki, will come to London and will be our keynote speakers at the Indie awards unveiling Kurio's whitepaper on Social Media Marketing Trends 2026! Be sure to book your tickets for the  for the first peek at the findings.

They will share a truly international view of the trends shaping social-first marketing — including the all-important question: “Why social-first?” and how agencies can answer it in a way that resonates with clients and leaders worldwide.​

Get ready for a dynamic, insight-packed dive into the trends and behaviours set to define 2026 and discover exactly how agencies can stay ahead in a year powered by culture, creators and real-time impact.

If you have any questions: 

please email alice.carr@thenetworkone.com

Thank you to everyone who has completed the jfdi/Opinium New Business Barometer survey – you are helping us all get closer to securing an exclusive members-only event early in the new year, bringing together the findings and our members’ own interpretations of the New Business Barometer.

We are close, but we still need more survey completions across our network to make this possible.

If you haven’t done so already, please complete the survey on behalf of our network, to help us all be part of it and to benefit from the insights it will offer us all in 2026.

Survey closes at the end of the week. 

All you need to do is:

 Click the link below to access the survey.

AI Survey findings - Spark X The Industry Club Report

The thenetworkone team recently attended the AI Benchmarking Breakfast, where The Industry Club and Spark shared findings from their latest AI survey. They offered a rare, comprehensive look at how agencies are adapting to the rapid rise of AI.

The session brought together leaders from both independent agencies and holding companies to explore shifting skills, hiring priorities, capability gaps, and how teams are preparing for the next wave of transformation.

We believe this report provides genuinely valuable insight for independent agencies looking to stay competitive and informed.

Keep ahead of the curve — download the full report and explore the findings.

AI in PR – between pragmatism, uncertainty and growing competitive pressure

We’ve partnered with member agency Newskontor on a global survey exploring how the PR and communications industry feel about AI.

The findings will be live from 8th December — check your inbox and our social channels. We’re excited to share what we’ve uncovered.

TikTok: 

Community-first marketing is taking the lead across all major platforms. Audiences are no longer just followers — they’re collaborators, advocates, and co-creators. For brands, the focus is shifting from reach to relationship — building spaces where audiences feel seen, involved, and part of the story. 

Creators and brands are tapping into belonging over broadcasting. On TikTok, travel and lifestyle brands are seeing real sales from authentic community content — users are booking trips directly through the app, with conversion rates of 7.5% for brands like Princess Hotels & Resorts... read more 

Instagram: 

Meanwhile, Instagram continues to make community engagement easier with new creative tools — including share insights, sound effects, and text presets — helping brands tell richer stories and inspire participation.