Tesco keeps faith with WPP Media’s EssenceMediacom in UK and Central and Eastern Europe

Tesco has re-appointed WPP Media’s EssenceMediacom as its media agency partner across the UK and Central Eastern European markets, Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic. 

The announcement follows a closed review process run by Tuffon Hall Consultancy. The appointment will cover media planning and buying services, and also tech and data integration with WPP’s Open platform and Open Intelligence capability.  

Becky Brock, Group Managing Director: Customer at Tesco, says: “It’s great to be able to continue our partnership with EssenceMediacom and WPP following a thorough review process. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the team as we leverage new technologies to unlock more value for our customers and business from media planning and delivery.” 

Natalie Cummins, WPP Media President, EssenceMediacom, says: “It has been such a privilege to be part of the continued growth story of the nation’s biggest grocer over the past ten years, and it’s been great to bring the best of WPP to Tesco in this review. We look forward to continuing to help Tesco deliver personalised and impactful advertising.”  

Angus Crowther, Founder Tuffon Hall Consulting says: “This a great example of a closed review delivering everything the client needed and more. WPP responded brilliantly to the brief and brought their tech and AI specialist knowledge to the fore and will continue help Tesco into the future.”  

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Personalisation will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.