allpoints

🚨INDUSTRY INSIGHTS - Four Trends Shaping the 2026 Workplace 🚨 People & Culture is changing, and the real question is how leaders are handling the new pressures in the workplace. In our latest article, Nic Neal, our HR Specialist here at allpoints, explores the key tensions shaping workplace culture right now. Here are four themes we unpack: 1 – The progression tension of employees 2 – The evolution of work ethic and clarity  3 – Returning to basics with clear boundaries  4 – The evolution of AI in the workplace Have a read of our latest expert insights below 👇🏼

Meet Alison Pountney, our Expert Branding Specialist here at allpoints 👩🏻💻 Ali isn't your typical brand designer. She is a strategic-minded storyteller who believes that external branding is only as strong as the internal culture behind it. If your team isn't aligned with your vision, your brand won't stick. Before joining allpoints, Ali built an impressive portfolio in Experiential Branding, creating physical and emotional brand moments for some of the UK’s most iconic names, from Pets at Home, National Gallery and Hilton Hotels  With a background that spans from traditional branding agencies to high-impact projects for Target, TimeOut, NSPCC, and Canary Wharf Group, Ali is passionate about unlocking business potential through "inside-out" strategy.

Meet Megan Johnstone-Mackie, our Head of PR & Marketing here at allpoints  With over 15 years of experience, Megan Johnstone-Mackie is a PR & Marketing strategist known for award-winning campaigns, earned media excellence, and driving brand growth across the creative industries. Previously at Universal Music and News UK, she now powers allpoints’ clients with clarity and credibility. “For me, relationships are everything! I find so much joy in getting under the skin of a brand and truly understanding the 'why' behind my clients' goals. There’s a special kind of magic in spotting an opportunity that everyone else missed. Securing that perfect media hit, a keynote stage, or well-deserved industry recognition feels absolutely brilliant, not just because it hits a KPI, but because I love seeing my incredible clients shine in the spotlight they’ve earned.”

🚨 INDUSTRY INSIGHTS - The Drum Predictions 2026🚨 What does 2026 actually have in store for brands? According to the industry’s top strategists (Including Mark Ritson, Dan Rubel and Rory Sutherland), the future isn't just about new tech, it’s about the enduring power of human connection. Andy Dougan, our Strategic Business Consultant here at allpoints, recently attended The Drum Predictions 2026 event. Surrounded by brand leaders and industry commentators, the day served as a vital reminder: in a world overtaken by screens and algorithms, physical presence is a brand's greatest leverage. Here are some key things we unpack: - Why over-optimising digital experiences is stripping away emotional and sensory distinctiveness. - Why the hardest things to measure (status, connection, reassurance) are often the most valuable. - Why multi-sensory engagement and live activations are the perfect balance to a world dominated by AI. Have a read of our latest article below 👇🏼

⚠️ CV matching won’t find the expert talent your senior roles require ⚠️ When it comes to high-profile positions, the best candidates aren't scrolling through job boards, they’re already busy delivering results elsewhere. Our Headhunting Specialist here at allpoints, Gary Richards, recently sat down to discuss his unique talent headhunting system and why traditional recruitment methods often fall short for senior placements.    Here are Gary’s three non-negotiables: •⁠ ⁠The Best People Aren't Looking: You have to go to them. Gary is constantly in the market, building a connection of high-performing professionals that you won’t find on a database. •⁠ ⁠Deep Sector Knowledge: You need an agency that understands your industry on a deeper level, not just a list of skill sets you want your senior role to require. A one-page CV can’t capture the leadership or the impact needed for a high-profile hire. •⁠ ⁠Proactive Community Networking: Gary doesn't just wait for applicants, he’s active in the community, meeting people face-to-face and nurturing long-term relationships. We recently worked with We Are Collider on an Associate CD role that had been vacant for 18 months while with another agency. By leveraging Gary’s proactive network, we secured the right person for the role. Beyond this, we’ve successfully secured key talent for INCEPTION Worldwide, proving that a deep-rooted, personal network will always outperform a standard CV match. If you are looking to fill a senior role and need the right person to save you time and protect your business growth, let’s book a call.

📌 What a start to the year. With just one month of 2026 behind us, the momentum is already taking shape. This January, we hit the ground running, welcoming new clients and getting stuck into projects that set the tone for the year ahead. There’s a real sense of energy in the team, and it feels like 2026 has already taken shape. Across the industry, structural shifts are accelerating, from cross-Atlantic joint ventures to the rise of global powerhouses. Those prioritising scale, resilience, and strategic depth are writing the narrative for 2026. The allpoints brief, Edition 13 covers: • January M&A roundup and five major deals highlighting some “powerhouse” insights from businesses, including Brandfuel Ltd, Jack Morton Worldwide, Impact XM, Media 10 Ltd, and Futurebuild. • AI risk for businesses and a roadmap for navigating the legal and operational realities of automation with Anton Christodoulou. • Five strategic priorities to remain competitive in 2026 from our PR expert Saffron Sumner. • A new downloadable social media engagement guide to help brands cut through the noise. 📚 January’s recommended read: Empire of AI by Karen Hao, a deep dive into the rise of AI and the hidden costs behind it. Read our latest allpoints brief below👇

✨ We’re Hiring: PR & Marketing Contractor (Executive / Manager Level) ✨ allpoints is expanding its Marketing & PR services team (again!) — and we’re looking for a strategic thinker with a creative edge to join us. You’ll work alongside our Head of PR & Marketing, Megan Johnstone-Mackie, helping our brilliant market-leading clients across the events and creative industries bring their stories to life through sharp strategy, impactful content, and standout campaigns. The role: - Freelance, remote-first (occasional London meetups) - 3–5 days a week (initial trial period) - Six-month minimum commitment - Fee is dependent on experience 📈 At allpoints, we’re growth specialists and M&A advisors helping agency leaders reach their full potential. You’ll be part of a fast-paced, supportive team making a real impact for creative businesses. Interested? Apply via the link in the comments or email megan@fromallpoints.co.uk

✨ We’re Hiring: PR & Marketing Contractor (Executive / Manager Level) ✨ allpoints is expanding its Marketing & PR services team (again!) — and we’re looking for a strategic thinker with a creative edge to join us. You’ll work alongside our Head of PR & Marketing, Megan Johnstone-Mackie, helping our brilliant market-leading clients across the events and creative industries bring their stories to life through sharp strategy, impactful content, and standout campaigns. The role: - Freelance, remote-first (occasional London meetups) - 3–5 days a week (initial trial period) - Six-month minimum commitment - Fee is dependent on experience 📈 At allpoints, we’re growth specialists and M&A advisors helping agency leaders reach their full potential. You’ll be part of a fast-paced, supportive team making a real impact for creative businesses. Interested? Apply via the link in the comments or email megan@fromallpoints.co.uk

❗M&A Monthly Round Up - Industry Insights & News❗ January’s M&A findings highlight a confident, highly strategic market, shaped by accelerating experiential consolidation, creativity-led acquisitions, and platform-driven growth in exhibitions as buyers position for scale, specialisation, and integrated delivery models heading into 2026. Here are the main M&A’s we break down in this article: 1 - Jack Morton Worldwide and Impact XM Unite to Create a Global Experiential Powerhouse 2 - Strata Acquires Wonderland Agency to Strengthen Creative Experiential Capabilities 3 - Media 10 Ltd Acquires Futurebuild to Create a Construction and Sustainability "Super Event" 4 - Brandfuel Ltd Forms US Joint Venture and Secures Minority Investment 5 - Noble Events Enters Administration Post-AcquisitionDeal Have a read of our M&A insights below 👇🏼

Introducing Mark Spragg , allpoints Growth Advisory Specialist 👨🏻💻 As allpoints continues to grow, we wanted to introduce you to some of the brilliant experts behind the scenes who help make it all happen. Not only are our clients scaling, but our team is too, allowing us to deliver insight-led, results-driven strategies across every area of the business. Mark has been part a huge part of the allpoints growth journey, bringing decades of experience in agency leadership, growth strategy, and team development. “I’ve spent the past 30 years leading and growing global creative experience agencies including MICE Group, WRG, Jack Morton Worldwide, TBA Group and TheOpenLab. Today, I work alongside agency founders and leadership teams across the globe, helping them scale their organisations, grow client accounts, and build high-performing teams that can sustain long-term growth.   I bring deep experience across live and visitor experiences, major show spectaculars, marketing communications and place-making, but what really drives me is people and progress, creating clarity, raising standards and helping teams do their best work. I’m a practical, hands-on advisor who enjoys challenging thinking, unlocking potential and turning ambition into growth.”