Our Top 5 Predictions for Advertising and Marketing in 2025

The advertising and marketing world never stops evolving—because where’s the fun in staying predictable? As we dive into 2025, we’re not just riding the wave of change but charting its course. Building on last year’s insights, we’ve upped the ante to predict the trends that will dominate and dazzle in the year ahead. Here’s what’s coming:

1. Hyper-personalisation gets even more personal

Last year, we said personalisation was levelling up, but in 2025, it’s going full Black Mirror. With AI leading the charge, brands will deliver eerily intuitive experiences—ads that know what you need before you do and product suggestions so spot-on they’ll have you checking your house for hidden cameras. It’s all about making customers feel your brand “gets them”.

2. Mixed Reality (MR): Where digital dreams and real life collide

Forget VR and AR squabbling over who’s cooler—2025 is the year Mixed Reality takes the crown. By seamlessly blending the digital and physical worlds, MR creates experiences that feel like magic. Picture virtual home tours where you can almost feel the plush carpet underfoot or shopping experiences that let you “try before you buy” while still in your pyjamas. Brands that master MR will leave audiences saying, “Shut up and take my money!”

3. Voice and visual search: Because typing is so 2023

Why type when you can talk or snap a photo? In 2025, voice and visual search will dominate, making SEO strategies pivot faster than a TikTok trend. Whether customers are asking Siri for gift ideas or snapping pics to find that perfect pair of boots, your brand needs to show up. If not? Your competitors will have all the fun at the top of the search results. Get ready to optimise or get left in the digital dust.

4. Sustainability: The hottest shade of green

Sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s the ticket to brand credibility in 2025. Customers are done with greenwashing—they want receipts (metaphorically because paperless is better). From transparent supply chains to eco-friendly practices that actually make a difference, brands need to walk the green walk. Bonus points if your products don’t just save the planet but make customers feel like eco-heroes. Remember, “saving the whales” beats “saving 20%” every time.

5. Immersive marketing: The art of making reality optional

Why sell a product when you can create a world? Immersive and experiential marketing will steal the spotlight in 2025, blending storytelling, interaction, and just the right amount of “wow.” From pop-ups that merge physical and digital realities to campaigns where audiences shape the narrative, this is where creativity shines brightest. Forget passive consumers—this is about building superfans who can’t stop talking about your brand (and sharing it all over Instagram).

2025: Let’s do this

The year ahead promises innovation, excitement, and a few surprises. At Holdens, we’re ready to help you not just embrace these trends but own them. Let’s make 2025 the year your brand goes from great to unforgettable. Sound good? Let’s chat and make it happen.