What the leaders think

“I have known Ian for nearly 20 years. He’s persuasive, and thoughtful and has an ability to think in original ways and see the angles that others do not. He also thoroughly understands the financial markets and investors’ objectives.  I don’t necessarily always agree with what he says, but I never ignore it.”

“Ian has a deep understanding of both the financial markets and the media and digital industries – and it’s this combination that leads to insightful research. Our regular dialogue gives me a different perspective on the topics of the day.”

“We have asked Ian to present to our clients on several occasions now and the quality of his analysis and depth of knowledge shines through. This is someone who can talk persuasively about not only the key themes driving Media and Tech trends but also place it into the context of the wider macro picture. It is truly exceptional insight.”

“Ian is always inspiring, and provides a point of view that really makes you think.  His perspective is informed, insightful and provocative.”

“One of the great things I like about Ian’s analysis is that he has an ability to see beyond the sometimes narrow perspectives of media commentators to understand the broader picture for audiences and businesses alike. He has a deep understanding of the megatrends in the TV market and his ability to draw parallels with similar instances of change and disruption in other sectors is always insightful.”

“Ian’s understanding of the television market is excellent and his common sense attitude ensures he does not blindly follow the London media consensus view of the world. In dealing with Ian over many years I have come to appreciate his knowledge, expertise and commercial acumen.”

“Ian has a smart, well-informed and clear-eyed view of all the key trends in advertising, media and the wider business world. I really value his analysis because he always uses hard, financial numbers to make sense of what’s happening, he understands exactly what matters to investors because he spent many years in investment banking, and he sees the bigger picture – not just in the UK but internationally and with a sense of history, too.”

“Whenever I meet Ian, I always know I am going to learn something new or get a different and interesting perspective. His breadth of knowledge and experience across the Media and Tech space is second to none. He never disappoints and always delivers. He is also thoroughly good company”.

“I have known Ian for a number of years and have always been impressed greatly both by the knowledge he has of the online advertising space and the key trends driving the sector, as well as his range of contacts. He has proven also to be a great source of advice, with a thorough understanding of what investors are looking for and how start-ups need to position themselves.”

“There are very few people on the public stage who have as clear and as robust a perspective as Ian Whittaker on the mechanics, business opportunities, and rabbit holes of the super-complex world of media and marketing. His knowledge and experience across the full breadth of this sector are second-to-none. Not afraid to call-out digital snake oil, puffery, and Ponzi schemes, his reading of the financial runes and ability to spot trends make him a master of predictive analytics. Insight is well defined as ‘a profound and useful understanding’ of a topic, market, or issue. By this definition, Ian is not only profound and useful. He’s also that rarest of gems: genuinely insightful.”

” I have huge admiration and liking for Ian Whittaker, whom I got to know whilst my company was in the process of facilitating an IPO a couple or so years ago. Ian was then an analyst for Liberum, our ‘book makers’. Although, eventually, we decided against an IPO at that time, I found Ian’s advice impeccable. Ian has got a very good brain, as you would expect from an Oxbridge-educated Northerner! His knowledge of the media is unsurpassed and he speaks and writes with clarity and authority: he totally ‘gets’ publishing. Above all, for someone of his intelligence and analytical ability, Ian has the rare gift of being able to connect and engage with people in a friendly, participatory way. A great guy to have on board to advise on all kinds of media strategies.”

“Ian conducted a comprehensive 4-part online training programme for egta entitled ‘Speaking the Language of the CFO,’ tailored for global media professionals in the TV and radio industry. He offered invaluable insights crucial for senior media professionals engaged in business model setup, product marketing, and both sales and growth strategy. Ian’s expertise provided a deeper understanding of advertisers’ decision-making processes, empowering participants to navigate the complexities of the industry.

Ian’s vast experience in the financial sector and thorough understanding of the TV industry allow him to excel in simplifying complex concepts and relating them to the evolving media landscape. Through industry examples and actionable insights, he enlightened the group with directly applicable examples; therefore, delivering value to both participants and their companies.

Ian’s masterclass is essential for those aiming to communicate effectively with CFOs and strategically position TV and radio advertising as a valuable investment aligned with advertisers’ financial priorities’”