Nicola Bates, Chief Commercial Officer, Bauer Media, shares the successes of the last 12 months and hints at what’s ahead.

Looking back on the past year, what have been some of the standout moments or achievements for your business? 

The acquisition of Clear Channel – now Bauer Media Outdoor (BMO) – was a major highlight, and getting to know our new out-of-home colleagues has been fantastic. Celebrating our 150th anniversary at Camden Roundhouse with David Guetta was truly spectacular!

On top of that, we’ve had an excellent trading year across the group, with strong performances in newsstand, subscriptions, and commercial channels. Our B2B business delivered exceptional double-digit growth, and we’re excited to keep innovating in these markets in 2026 and beyond. 

Which commercial partnerships or collaborations from this year have been particularly exciting or impactful? 

2025 has been a strong year for partnerships, with collaborations spanning territories and involving our audio colleagues and the new outdoor business. Standout cross-territory campaigns include TK Maxx and our Amazon video franchise Fixing Up, which extended beyond the UK into Germany.

And of course, we can’t forget Kevin the Carrot and Aldi’s Christmas campaign, which ran across all three Bauer lines of business – publishing, audio, and outdoor. It was a truly collaborative effort to share the joyous news of Kevin’s engagement to Katie Carrot!

Our other standout partnerships included FAME*FACTORY produced by Done + Dusted, with our entertainment brands heat and Smash Hits, for a trail-blazing first of its kind walk-through immersive experience giving visitors the chance to appear on headline-worth covers. 

A sensational six-page SCENTED gatefold in heat promoting Surf’s new Magnificent-Wash laundry detergent.  

And, our Group collaboration with Utiq enabling better marketing performance and ROI in the premium, open internet.  

As you plan for the year ahead, what priorities or opportunities are at the top of your agenda? 

Our focus is on working closely with our audio and outdoor divisions to strengthen the Bauer Group commercial proposition. Moving into outdoor is a strategic fit that complements our core audio and publishing businesses, enabling us to extend reach, relevance, and visibility. We’re stronger together, but it’s vital we get this right – clarifying what makes us unique and ensuring we deliver what clients want while maintaining our core specialisms. 

And on a more personal note, what are you most looking forward to during the festive season? 

I love the Christmas break because it’s one of the few times everyone truly switches off – no emails, Teams, or WhatsApps to catch up on! It’s a great chance to relax, get outdoors, and exercise to balance out what will inevitably be a boozy and indulgent few weeks.