Last week, some of the performance team headed to Performance MCR – a conference dedicated to all things paid social, PPC, and performance marketing – and it did not disappoint! The event was founded by active PPC Practitioner & CEO Charley Brennand, who boasts almost 10 years of experience within Digital Marketing and has worked with some of the nations biggest brands.

Our Paid Ads Expert Holly Oakley tells us more:

The day was packed with practical insights, fresh thinking, and honest conversations from some of the biggest names in the UK industry, including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok.

From the moment the talks kicked off, one theme stood out loud and clear: creatives are more important than ever. In today’s crowded digital landscape, where users are bombarded with ads at every scroll, strong visuals and punchy messaging aren’t just nice to have, they’re often make or break. Speakers shared examples of campaigns where small tweaks to creatives had a big impact on performance, reminding us that design and copy need just as much strategic attention as targeting and budgets.

Another hot topic (unsurprisingly) was AI in search. Talks from both Google and Microsoft made it clear that automation and machine learning are shaping the future of campaign delivery. Whether it’s smart bidding, performance max campaigns, or predictive analytics, AI is now deeply embedded in how we target, optimise, and scale campaigns. While the tech continues to evolve, it’s clear that human insight and creative direction still play a vital role in making automation work smarter – not just faster.

There were also standout sessions from platforms like TikTok, where real-life case studies showed how brands are using short-form video to drive measurable results. It was a great reminder that performance marketing doesn’t have to feel clinical – personality and storytelling still matter.

The best part though? We walked away feeling inspired and reassured. Many of the approaches and strategies being shared are ones we’re already applying with our own clients, from performance-led creative testing to embracing AI tools in a smart, strategic way.

All in all, Performance MCR was a brilliant day of learning, sharing, and connecting. We’re looking forward to taking these insights into our upcoming campaigns and continuing to help clients get results with thoughtful, creative, and data-led digital marketing!