The UK’s corporate live events and corporate film sectors are facing a period of huge uncertainty. EVCOM member companies are acutely aware that the landscape has shifted, not only due to global financial pressures and trade tariffs, but also because of broader strategic indecision among clients. While the appetite for creative and impactful communications remains, the ability to commit to and confidently plan projects is being severely hampered causing huge difficulty for our members.
We plan a series of comms that can help. Bringing tactics and best practice from our member companies. Whatever the climate clients still need to market and this time is not about survival but about diversification and potentially growth as well.
At the heart of the challenge lies financial instability. With inflationary pressures, fluctuating exchange rates, and post-Brexit trade complexities—including increased tariffs on goods and services—the costs of delivering high-quality events and films have risen. These factors directly impact client budgets, but also create broader hesitation in decision-making. Clients are finding it increasingly difficult to secure internal sign-off, leading to fewer confirmed projects, and for those that do proceed, significantly shortened lead times.
However, it would be overly simplistic to attribute the slowdown solely to financial strain. Employers’ National Insurance contributions have also risen, adding to the cost of maintaining skilled teams within our sector. This not only puts pressure on agencies’ margins but also creates operational challenges around scaling for larger projects at short notice.
More fundamentally, clients are also grappling with uncertainty around their own brand messaging. In a shifting geopolitical and economic environment, many organisations are unsure what tone to strike in their communications—how to address audiences sensitively and effectively without appearing out of touch or overly corporate. As a result, even when budgets are available, the lack of strategic clarity on messaging is causing further delays.
For EVCOM members, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. We must continue to support clients with agility, creativity and strategic counsel, even when timelines are compressed and scopes unclear. By positioning ourselves not only as producers but as partners in messaging and engagement, we can help clients find clarity and confidence.
Ultimately, this period calls for resilience, collaboration and adaptability. EVCOM will continue to champion the value of corporate film and live events—especially in times of flux—while advocating for the interests of our community in policy and industry forums. As we navigate these headwinds together, the strength of our collective expertise remains our greatest asset.