Pinterest Predicts, MAD//Up North and we're Social Media Agency of the Year!

If you're flagging, here's two things to cheer you up. One, it's almost Friday. Two, that means it's almost the last day of the longest month of the year. We made it!

The month may have felt long, but it was also the most exciting start to 2025. We don't know if you heard, but we won big at the Northern Digital Awards and are proud owners of a Social Media Agency of the Year trophy! AND we scooped a win for Best Podcast too. Not bad eh?

Keep scrolling to see what all the fuss is about. We've also got the latest and greatest client work courtesy of Holland & Barrett plus Pinterest makes a return to the podcast.

But we don't want to give it all away here....enjoy! ?

For the commute ???

It’s January, and you know what that means...the return of our annual Pinterest Predicts episode.

Tune in and hear Pinterest’s director of marketing for Europe Louise Richardson chat the trends that will go big in 2025. Or if you prefer a long read, check out our article from our influencer manager Jay Parker .

Want to know how to tap into the zeitgeist, create campaigns that resonate and be everything shoppers are searching for? This is your secret weapon. ?

A quick listen ?

Needless to say, the TikTok ban was the biggest thing on social marketers' minds this month.

That's why our communications manager Melissa Harvey jumped on the mic with our creative director Jake Thompson for a Social in Six special. They covered the story so far including how brands can best prepare for every scenario and what this means for the future of social.

We know what you're thinking. "Isn't this all old news?" Not quite. While the app remains active in the US (for now), TikTok's troubles aren't over yet.?

Listen now to get our hot take. And when you're done, make sure to download our FREE fact sheet with all the info, plus five changes brands should make to future-proof their social strategy.?

Best in the biz ??

Trying to get your fitness goals off to a good start this January? We've got you covered.

We've been working with our client Holland & Barrett on a major campaign to get your protein on the up. Featuring creator collabs, easy recipe ideas, and bigging up Holland & Barrett's new protein-packed product range, it truly has a little bit of everything. See for yourself.?

Food for thought ??

Our group strategy director Ric Hayes has been busy giving sound advice for brands in the face of huge changes on social. First up, he's speaking on the strategy implications of Meta canning fact-checkers in Performance Marketing World , which you can read here.

And he's also in Campaign UK with his take on whether this change will mean brands shifting social spend elsewhere. Find out his thoughts here.

Plus, get Ric's take on how brands should pivot and adjust their social strategies following the news that TikTok US is still under pressure from the government to sell up or shut down (see, we said he'd been busy). More in The Drum here.??

Speaking of big legislative changes for social platforms, our associate creative director Beth Blance weighed in on whether Australia's social media ban for under 16s is justified for a piece in MediaCat . Check it out. ?

And finally our strategist Chelsea Noronha is talking all about how bricks-and-mortar retailers can translate social hype into real world footfall. Tricky, but not impossible. Hit up LBBonline - Little Black Book here for the answers.?

And the award goes to...????

Say hey to Northern Digital Awards' Social Media Agency of the Year 2025!

And it gets better...SocialMinds scooped the award for Best Podcast!

Best believe they're both sitting proudly on our shelf. Congrats to everyone across our wonderful teams who worked so hard to get us the win. Cheers!

Mark your calendar ??

You didn’t think we’d miss the biggest marketing and advertising conference in the north, did you?

MAD//Fest is bringing the UK’s most disruptive ad festival to our home city of Manchester this year – and SocialMinds is its official podcast partner! MAD//Up North, a brand new flagship event from the guys at MAD//FEST , is happening at Aviva Studios from 26-27 February 2025, and we want to see you there. What can you expect? As always, we’ll be bringing you top insights from top brands at the front lines of social, plus killer expertise from the best thought leaders at SocialChain and Brave Bison . Do. Not. Miss. It.

Tickets here.

Marketing Moment of the Month ???

“Back seat drivers, trip bookers and duvet hoggers have all had a bite of the debate this month - who deserves the biggest chunk? Cadbury’s has shown how a social media campaign doesn’t need to begin and end on social, as they playfully put themselves at the centre of shared experiences. So, want to earn the biggest share with your social media campaigns? Spark a conversation."?

Georgia Hill

Midweight Creative