The WPP-owned media measurement and management arm GroupM has recently published a UK-specific report on the dynamics of advertising spending across all media in 2014-2015 years. The company predicts that this year the ad spending will show a 6.3% increase in the face of a slightly lower global figure of 4.5%. This is the fastest growth of ad market among all the researched developed economies. In terms of financial value, the ad spending will account for a total of £14.9 billion ($23.3 billion) in 2014, and £15.7 billion ($24.5 billion) in 2015.

A recent survey of 296 global senior business executives, conducted in September-October 2014 by Forbes Insights in association with Rocket Fuel and SpencerStuart, has revealed that while most of the respondents (62%) think that their marketing initiatives meet expectations, a deeper look shows that more than a half believe their companies waste money on marketing and lack understanding of their consumers.

As Mintel European retail analysts foresee, this year’s Black Friday will generate sales growth of 80-100% comparing to the last year’s sales of around £100 million. However, shopper engagement in this pre-Christmas season in the UK will remain relatively low as it was lat year. Just 15% of the surveyed consumers said they made major pre-holiday purchases during Black Friday in 2013.