The Big Thing by LOOP Agencies

20 episodes in. Ryan and Richard mark the milestone with a special one and they've brought a new face along for the ride. First up, the boys welcome Javi to the LOOP team. Fresh from Spain and now settled in Edinburgh, Javi sits down to share his story. Why he chose design, what brought him across Europe to Scotland, and what life at LOOP has been like so far. It's a proper welcome, and a nice cha...

This week, Ryan and Richard dig into four stories shaking up the marketing world right now and what they actually mean for brands, creators, and digital marketers on the ground. First up, the UK's HFSS advertising rules landed on March 29, and chocolate brands found themselves locked out of daytime TV right before Easter, their biggest sales window of the year. Ryan and Richard break down how bran...

We're back after three weeks away!! And we're diving straight into the deep end. Ryan and Richard break down one of the biggest stories in AI right now. The dramatic headlines between the US government and AI companies Anthropic and OpenAI. From Anthropic being labelled a national security risk for refusing to remove safeguards around autonomous weapons and mass surveillance, to OpenAI stepping in...

In this episode of The Big Thing, Richard flips the podcast on its head and Ryan is in the hot seat. He shares insights into the world of social media management, covering the realities of the role, industry trends and the skills needed to stand out. Discover how social media shapes brand building, the challenges faced by managers and what the future holds for digital marketing professionals.

In this episode of the LOOP Podcast, Ryan and Richard discuss various topics ranging from the viral sensation of Punch the Monkey to the evolving landscape of marketing, particularly the shift towards influencer marketing as highlighted by Unilever's recent strategies. They explore the implications of AI on consumer behaviour and marketing practices, as well as the future of jobs in an increasingl...

This week on The Big Thing , Ryan and Richard wade into the strange new world where AI and celebrity culture collide. From A-listers selling the rights to their own image, to fully AI-generated influencers like Neuro-sama building real fanbases, we unpack what it means when fame no longer requires a human behind it. If your likeness can be licensed, cloned or automated… who actually owns you ? We...

This week on The Big Thing, Richard and Ryan pull apart the biggest ads from the Super Bowl and ask the question everyone in marketing is thinking: were they actually any good? From celebrity overload to AI-assisted production, we look at what worked, what felt lazy, and what a £7m media slot really buys you in 2026. We chat through standout moments, including the Amazon Alexa spot featuring Chris...

Starting a business is often seen as a daring leap into the unknown, but for many entrepreneurs, it is a natural evolution of their experiences and passions. In a recent podcast episode, we dive deep into the story of Antoinette Ross Antoinette is a successful business founder & director of Withinsight. A company she started 16 years ago. She shares her experiences in founding her business, th...

In this episode of the LOOP Podcast, Ryan is trying his hardest to get Richard and Liam to bump heads on the design industry. They explore whether AI is helping or hindering junior designers, the importance of prompting in design and how AI is reshaping the culture. Their conversation also touches on the ethical implications of using AI in client work and the future of design as AI continues to ev...

Ryan and Richard take a nostalgic trip back to 2015, exploring the marketing landscape and social media trends of that year. They discuss the cultural context, highlighting significant events and the state of various platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Vine. The conversation delves into how marketing strategies have evolved, particularly with the rise of video content and influencer marketing,...

In 10th episode (wow) of the The Big Thing Podcast, Ryan and Richard dive deep into the world of algorithms, exploring their impact on marketing and consumer behaviour. Touching on how algorithms shape our online experiences, from social media feeds to shopping recommendations, and the implications of this technology on both businesses and consumers. While they can enhance user experience by perso...

In this episode, Ryan and Richard discuss various predictions and trends for 2026, focusing on the evolution of marketing, the continued rise of social media shopping and the impact of AI on search engines and influencer marketing. They also delve into the significance of major sporting events like the Super Bowl and the World Cup, and how these will shape advertising strategies. Additionally, the...

In this festive episode of the LOOP Podcast, Ryan and Richard dive into the spirit of Christmas, sharing their personal experiences and reflections on holiday traditions, Christmas ads, and the nostalgia that surrounds the festive season. They discuss the ups and downs of Christmas celebrations, the impact of advertising on holiday sentiments, and the shift in dynamics as they transition into adul...

In this conversation, Richard and Ed explore the evolving landscape of AI in the agency world, discussing insights from a recent report on skills and hiring in the age of AI. They delve into the challenges faced by in-house teams, the importance of training and adaptability and the role of creativity in leveraging AI tools. The discussion also touches on ethical considerations, the future of AI in...

In part 2 of Episode 6 of The Big Thing, Liam and Ryan delve into the future of gaming, discussing upcoming releases like GTA 6 and the Steam console. They explore the impact of technological advancements on gaming experiences and the role of storytelling in games. They also touch on upcoming movie 'Marty Supreme' and the bizzare marketing tactics being used

In part 1 of this episode of The Big Thing. Liam and Ryan discuss the evolution of gaming, focusing on the nostalgia of physical game copies, the impact of digital downloads, and the shift in gaming business models. They explore the cultural significance of games like Call of Duty and Minecraft. Additionally, they reflect on the changes in gaming marketing and the role of social media in shaping g...

Summary In this episode, Ryan, Joel, and Rhona discuss the intersection of AI, marketing, and pop culture, focusing on the recent controversy surrounding Taylor Swift's use of AI in her music video and the psychology behind why Lily Allen has blown up (again) with her new album 'West End Girl' They explore themes of authenticity versus automation, the role of AI in creative industries, and the pub...

Join Ryan and Richard for another instalment of The Big Thing, as they unpack the ground breaking $38 billion partnership between OpenAI and AWS. This episode delves into the contrasting AI investments of the US and UK, while also touching on the seasonal buzz around Christmas adverts.

We're drowning in messages but starved of meaning In this episode, Ryan and Richard sit down with Nick Clemmow , LOOPs Operations Director. Just a week before he heads off on paternity leave to talk about how communication has changed in the post-COVID, AI-powered world. They get honest about what “Ops” actually means, how agencies rebuilt their workflows after lockdown, and why AI is changing not...

Welcome back to The Big Thing This week, Richard and Ryan tackle one of the biggest questions in AI right now: who really owns what it creates? From copyright lawsuits and global governance to AI’s impact on creative jobs, they unpack the ethics, the chaos, and the occasional absurdity of the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence. Expect debates on deepfakes, scam sites, and the future of d...

Welcome to the first episode of LOOPs new podcast, The Big Thing . Join our hosts Richard and Ryan as they launch our new podcast with a deep dive into the fascinating world of AI . They're not just exploring the tech, but its real-world impact, from the latest in AI-generated content and its effect on creativity , to how it touches our everyday life . Plus, get to know your hosts week to week. Sp...

Part five of LOOP's six-step strategy, 'Governance,' explores the importance of brand consistency across in-house campaigns using MarTech and brand guidelines.

Discover the top 5 in-house agency trend predictions for 2025, from cultural changes to emerging creative tools.

Part four of LOOP's six-step strategy, 'Create,' explores the process of building in-house creative teams tailored to each client’s unique needs.

Part three of LOOP's six-step strategy, 'Technology' reveals how optimising MarTech tools enhances efficiency, improves targeting, and drives smarter marketing decisions.