RO-AR.com Summaries

KEY THEMES+ ¦ DEMSA Summary

What you need to know this week Bank of England data (published 5/1/2026) showed net consumer credit borrowing rose to £2.1bn in November 2025, including £1.0bn on credit cards.Annual growth in total consumer credit increased to 8.1% in November, with credit card borrowing growth rising to 12.1%.Effective interest rates remained high, including interest-charging overdrafts at 21.57% and credit cards at 21.60%.Mortgage approvals for house purchase fell to 64,500, while remortgaging approvals rose to 36,600.StepChange recorded 3,958 website visitors on Christmas… Read more

Uncensored CMO: How Diageo’s Joint Venture will transform Ciroc & Lobos 1707 – Nick Tran

Podcast : uncensored CMO Search for original: Link Key Take Aways Large strategic collaborations, including joint ventures, require strong alignment of culture and long-term vision to successfully drive brand revitalisation. Organisations with a long-term outlook invest in brand and leadership development beyond short-term financial metrics, supporting sustainable growth. Granting marketing leaders autonomy to build teams and strategies encourages innovation and stronger brand storytelling. Revitalising heritage brands requires treating them like start-ups, with renewed focus on positioning, storytelling, and evolving campaigns.… Read more

Better Debt: AI and Machine Learning Masterclass

Access the full podcast series here Key Take Aways Understanding the distinction between AI, machine learning (ML), and data science is crucial for effective implementation in organisations. AI seeks to replicate human intelligence, while ML focuses on algorithms that learn from data. Data maturity is essential for organisations aiming to leverage AI and ML; good quality data is a prerequisite. Simpler approaches such as SQL queries should be considered before adopting machine learning models. Piloting use cases helps organisations assess… Read more

Uncensored CMO: Mark Ritson’s Top Marketing Moments of 2025

Podcast : Uncensored CMO Search for original: Link Key Take Aways Mergers and acquisitions in the advertising industry reflect broader consolidation trends, shaping strategic positioning and operating models. Industry bifurcation is accelerating, with large multinational groups consolidating alongside a growing cohort of small, independent creative agencies. Crisis events and response strategies vary significantly, underlining the value of early, transparent communication and, in some cases, deliberate inaction. Brands that invest in consistent, long-term campaigns with strong familiarity outperform those reliant on… Read more

RO-AR.com: Changing Perceptions Collections Support

Access the full podcast series here Key Take Aways Public perception of the credit collections industry is gradually improving, with greater recognition of its role in maintaining credit availability. The industry has evolved significantly over the past 30 years through consumer credit regulation, the establishment of the Financial Conduct Authority, and adherence to formal codes of practice. The sector actively challenges misconceptions by demonstrating sensitivity to vulnerable consumers and supporting sustainable repayment. Public polling shows high levels of perceived professionalism… Read more

Arum: Using AI to transform collections system delivery

Access the full podcast series here Key Takeaways AI is transforming collections and recovery systems by improving speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. AI enables more efficient requirements gathering by analysing legacy documents and producing initial business requirement drafts. Compliance risks can be reduced through AI tools that securely handle sensitive and confidential client data. AI can benchmark requirements against established best practices to identify gaps early. During design, AI supports validation of configuration and logic, reducing inconsistency and error risk. AI… Read more