Battenhall

Today we’re launching Battenhall Labs – our global innovation unit for emerging tech. Battenhall Labs brings together our specialists to help brands apply new technology responsibly and effectively. Read more from Chief Innovation Officer and Labs lead, @philsheard.bsky.social: btnhl.com/4qmSBtD

Amazing to see our Year Ahead in Social 2026 report featured by Marketing Interactive! 🎉 btnhl.com/45JqXzz In the report, we explore why trends, virality and perfection are losing power, and what brands must do instead to cut through in the year ahead. You can download it here: btnhl.com/3LpsiEM

It’s been another transformative year in the world of social media. As 2025 draws to a close, senior content director, Charlea Hale-Abusham, looks at the five social trends that defined the year and what could be coming next: btnhl.com/4rYir9y

Australia’s under-16 social media ban starts tomorrow. Youth culture drives consumer behavior and platforms will follow. Our CEO, Drew Benvie, shares his take: www.campaignasia.com/article/adve... #Australia

It may be too early to bring up New Year’s resolutions but, at Battenhall, we like to stay one step ahead. From Gen Alpha’s influence to the double-edged sword of virality, we asked our Year Ahead in Social speakers to share what they are expecting from the social media landscape in 2026.

APAC social = next level. From livestream shopping to super apps, we map out this diverse region’s platforms and trends that brands simply can’t ignore in our new blog post: www.battenhall.com/blog/scrolli...

We’re still on a high from our Year Ahead in Social event this morning! ✨ Our experts presented the five forces we believe will shape the social media landscape in 2026. Explore them in our new report: trends.battenhall.com?utm_source=s... #YAS2026

#YAS2026 over and out! What a day! 🙌 Thank you to every speaker, panelist & guest who joined us at The British Library. Keep your eyes peeled for our social media trends report, dropping later today, and see you again next year... #Battenhall

We're talking trend fatigue! 💤 Trend-hopping gets clicks, but at what cost to authenticity? Final takeaway: use trends with purpose. Niantic Spatial’s @tomglover.bsky.social put it best when he said “It’s better to lean into strategic story-telling than just the meme.” ✨ #YAS2026 #Battenhall

It’s time for a panel 👀🎤 ‘The End of the Trend’ featuring: - Niantic Spatial’s @tomglover.bsky.social - The O2's Lois Saxon - Rhian Robinson and Elise Pearce from Battenhall #YAS2026 #Battenhall

Wrapping up Jonny’s session with his top 3 predictions for 2026:👇 1️⃣ Deeper connections & community-led engagement 2️⃣ Longer-form storytelling returning to the mix 3️⃣ Greater personalisation & niche focus The future of social is more human than ever. ✨ #YAS2026 #Battenhall

Next up, Jonny Atter on The Social Cycle. Starting by talking through how what’s old becomes new again following the trend cycle... ♻️ Introduction ♻️ Growth and adoption ♻️ Peak ♻️ Decline #YAS2026 #Battenhall

And that’s a wrap on Akilah Harper’s session... Her key takeaway: AI can craft the face, but humans create the feeling. The next era of influencer marketing is all about creativity, connection, and trust. ✨ #YAS2026 #Battenhall

63% of professionals plan to use AI or ML in influencer marketing 👀🤖 But where do you start? 🔍 Do your research - find voices aligned with your values. 🧩 Start small - test one partnership and learn. ⚡ Stay informed - this space is evolving fast. #YAS2026 #Battenhall

Up next, Akilah Harper dives into the faces of the future 👀🤖 Mentions of AI influencers grew 50% in early 2025 and the conversation is only getting louder. The AI future of influence? It’s here already. ⚡ #YAS2026 #Battenhall

Key takeaway from Georgie's talk? The rule book is gone 🔥 1. 2025 proved audiences now own the narrative - rewriting brand stories in real time 2. Heading into 2026, control is out. Collaboration is in. 3. Authenticity, agility, and participation will define who wins the crowd #YAS2026 #Battenhall

Georgie Freeman now takes to the stage on ⚔️ The Double-Edged Sword of Virality ⚔️ Are viral moments your biggest win or your biggest flop? Georgie's here to break it down for us! #YAS2026 #Battenhall

How are Gen Alpha trends shifting? This is what we found: 💬 Messaging, AI, and social media apps aren't separate, they're intertwined 🚫They know stricter age limits are coming, but the response? "We’ll use it anyway" 🛡️Many believe the world would be safer without social media entirely #YAS2026

Kicking off the day with our very own @drew.battenhall.com diving into Gen Alpha and their impact on mainstream social media... 👀 The next generation is already shaping what’s next. Let’s go #YAS2026! 🚀

Saying HELLO 👋 from the British Library this morning for our 13th Year Ahead in Social breakfast briefing! Are you ready for a morning filled with trends, insights and our predicitions for 2026? Follow along for live highlights. #YAS2026 #Battenhall

Marketing leaders' top questions for 2025: content on YouTube and LinkedIn, creator budgets, and the rise of Gen Alpha! John Iglesias breaks it down with insights from our recent trends dinner in San Francisco. ✨ btnhl.com/4qqaIjZ

What makes a social media post successful? Understanding your audience is a great place to start. To find out about how audience behavioural insights should be considered and used in your social strategy, check out this blog by our Senior Insights Director, Keri: btnhl.com/3KoYuHL

Long-form content on Substack, real-life book events, running clubs: what do these things have in common? They’re all ways brands have found to build connection with their audiences, fostering communities both on and offline. Read more in our latest blog 👇

Employee-generated content (EGC) is one of the most powerful trends shaping social right now. But how do you actually make it work in practice? Join @nica.bsky.social and George Brett on September 1 @ 2pm for a webinar exploring this very topic! Register here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Battenhall influencer team roll call 📢  We thought we should introduce the team behind our epic EGC report: indd.adobe.com/view/39ab8d2...

Last Sunday saw the Lionesses triumph yet again, retaining their European title. 🦁 Their success also sparked a wave of social media growth. We looked at the squad’s followers across Instagram and TikTok between June 15 and July 29, and pulled out some of the standout stats. Any surprises? 👇

What better way to start the week with not one, but two @prweekuk.bsky.social Awards nominations? 🎉 We have been shortlisted for Small Consultancy and Specialist Consultancy of the Year awards, and are very proud of our amazing team! Congratulations to all the other nominees – see you in October!

How can brands create story-rich worlds that audiences care about? 🤳 Senior design director Charnah Bradley has the perfect recipe for social success… 🍰 Click for ingredients 👉 bit.ly/4lgAoMV

In the age of authenticity, how are aspirational fashion brands delivering relatable social content that speaks to Gen Z? 👠 Junior account executive Kat Elliott explores how designers new and old are curating a vibe 👉 bit.ly/3I4WrHt

Huge news! Our UK and EMEA MD Rhian Robinson has been named in Management Today’s 35 Women Under 35 for 2025. 🎉 These annual awards recognise the exemplary work of brilliant female talent, and help inspire and empower the next generation of women in business. 👩

Our dynamic duo @nica.bsky.social and Becky Smith spent the weekend at Pokémon GO Fest Paris, handling everything from media interviews and creator meet-and-greets, to social content creation and even helping SIX wedding proposals take place! 💍

Will ads and content subscriptions in WhatsApp bring brands flocking to the platform? In our latest blog, Battenhall director Mark Stuart explores the opportunities – and potential pitfalls – of this week’s move from Meta. Full story: bit.ly/43Q8cdy

Have you noticed something missing on socials lately? …. Think a moment. 🤔 Hashtags. 💀 Our new guide from our Content Manager Ankita Bose spills the tea on where they're hiding (and if they're actually, truly dead). Find out now: btnhl.com/3HqqJnX

Want unfiltered audience insights? Reddit's where it's at! 🔥 For two decades, it's been the internet's ultimate forum. Our brilliant @nica.bsky.social (keynote superstar!) shows brands how to tap into genuine reviews and reactions. Dive in here: bit.ly/3ZDzj8Q

It’s that time again, folks! 🦁 Less than three weeks to go – and we Cannes hardly wait! 🇫🇷 We’ll be strutting our stuff down La Croisette, and meeting up with friends, clients and prospects for a week of fun. 🤝 If you’re going to be there, let us know! Drop us a reply and we’ll be in touch!

As global lawmakers step up their efforts to ban social media for under-16s, Battenhall CEO @drew.battenhall.com says it will only make the situation worse. In Digital Frontier, Drew argues for education, safe spaces, and guidance to help teens navigate social media responsibly: bit.ly/3YPJBT8

How does our team recharge their batteries? 🤔 This Mental Health Awareness week, we're highlighting the importance of finding what works for you. For us, that looks like everything from cold plunges to gaming, the energy of crystals, and even the unexpected stress relief of a spin class.

Yesterday we announced we are a PRCA Dare Awards finalist… Today we’re can share we’re in the running for Specialist Consultancy AND PR Consultancy of the Year at the CIPR Excellence Awards 2025! 🥳 Well done to our incredible global team for all the work that makes this recognition possible! 🙌

Sun’s out, guns out! 😎 💪 We're incredibly excited to announce that we’ve been shortlisted for Large Consultancy of the Year at the PRCA DARE Awards! Huge congrats to our amazing global team for their brilliant work. Keeping everything crossed for a win this summer!🤞

Wondering how to nail your content strategy on every key platform? 👀 Our Content Manager Ankita Bose has compiled some killer tips for LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook and Reddit. Get the insights you need: bit.ly/3GniY1j

Meta’s video-editing app, Edits, is finally here – so what’s all the fuss about? Our Senior Consultant @nica.bsky.social has the lowdown, and also compared some of its key features to its main competitor, Bytedance’s CapCut. Head over to our blog for more: btnhl.com/3Ghq0Vl

Battenhall did Easter, Tracy Beaker style.🥚 Big ‘bog off’ energy! 🍫✨

Everything you need to know about how to engage with others on LinkedIn in five minutes! That’s the challenge for our senior consultant @nica.bsky.social, who will be taking part in a session of lightning talks about community management. Fancy joining? Register here: planable.io/5-talks-5-mi...

Is AI the secret weapon for your social strategy? 👀 Keri Hudson's dropping 3 killer techniques we're using now. Don't sleep on this: btnhl.com/4i95dAx

Meta is expanding Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger. Our CEO @drew.battenhall.com shared his perspective with the BBC: “For once, big social are fighting for the leadership position not for the most highly engaged teen user base, but for the safest." Read more: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

This week, our Senior Consultant @nica.bsky.social is speaking at events in Cyprus and Greece, exploring how AI is shaping modern social media, from algorithms to engagement. Fancy finding out more? Our 2025 Year Ahead In Social Trends report is well worth a read. 👉 btnhl.com/4cmseyT