2026: The Year of the Mega Pitch

2026 is shaping up to be the most disruptive year in media agency history. In this episode, Tom Denford (in New York) and David Indo (in London) unpack why this moment feels eerily familiar — and yet entirely unprecedented. From the post-merger shockwaves of Omnicom and IPG, to the unraveling of Dentsu International, to the rise of proprietary media and AI-powered operating systems, the agency landscape is shifting fast. And for marketers, that means one thing: it’s time to act. Tom and David explore the growing disconnect between marketers and their media partners, and why the coming “pitch-pocalypse” could serve as a vital reset. They offer hard-won advice for CMOs and procurement leaders navigating a consolidating market: be clear on what kind of partner you need, inspire agencies with your vision, and don’t wait too long to move. They also introduce ID Comms’ new offering — The Five-Figure Pitch — a fast, transparent, five-week process designed to help advertisers recalibrate agency relationships with speed, clarity, and control. In this episode: Why 2026 will be the busiest pitch year in a decade What the collapse of legacy structures means for holding groups How principle-based buying erodes transparency and trust Why the independent agency sector is ready for its moment The marketer’s three priorities: clarity, vision, and decisiveness A preview of The Five-Figure Pitch product from ID Comms Visit FiveFigurePitch.com to learn more and schedule a walkthrough. Learn more about ID Comms Website: https://www.idcomms.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/id-comms