Deal volumes down but digital marketing continues to be popular

Just 37 UK deals in the marketing and media sector were recorded in Q2 2020; 44% down on Q1. We are not at all surprised to see this reduction in activity, given that the UK was in lockdown for most of this period. The virus has had, and continues to have, a significant impact on businesses throughout the UK, not least on companies in the marketing and media space. TV, film and commercial production and events companies have had no income at all, although activity is now starting to resume. Companies in the live entertainment space are still largely closed down. Agencies may be less badly affected depending on the nature of their clients, but have been experiencing project-freezes, deferments and cancellations.

Regarding the types of deals that were most common, the marketing services sector continued to occupy the top spot (just as it did throughout 2019), accounting for 49% of deals. Within marketing services, digital marketing retained its pole position, representing 39% of the deals we recorded.