Facing the future
S4 Capital is a new-age/new-era digital advertising, marketing and technology services company, operating in the advertising and marketing services market. In an industry that is becoming increasingly complex and outdated, S4 focuses on digital first marketing and technologies that disrupts analogue models by accelerating and automating the way work is done.
The marketing and technology market is evolving at pace, adapting to global economic headwinds and the rise of AI as a transformational force in how marketers deliver.
The challenge for S4 Capital’s 2024 reporting was to demonstrate its understanding of these market drivers and how the business is developing to fully utilise and develop systems that maximise the power of AI.
Telling two stories
2024 was a year of incredible change for the digital marketing sector. S4 were keen to tell the story of these challenges and how it is facing them straight on. It was decided that a two document format would allow the annual report to tell the strategic performance story while a separate ‘Our world in 2025’ review would discuss the challenges and opportunities the Group faced.
Moving to a landscape format, the annual report ‘navigated the now’ providing an explanation of the Group’s business model and how it is delivering results for its clients; a simple articulation of strategic performance; a well-communicated discussion of its sustainability and social commitments; an insightful view into the actions and outcomes of Board engagement; and a clearly set-out discussion of governance.
Meanwhile, the ‘Our world in 2025’ document provides Sir Martin Sorrell’s overview of the world today and the challenges the industry faces. This is supported by various insights from S4 Capital leaders: the role of AI; how technology and creativity can be a role for good; true partnerships with clients; AI end-to-end; people-centric activities; the role of Technology Services; and understanding client problems.
Cutting through noise
The two-document format has allowed a more engaging and insightful view of the world of S4 Capital, as well as a focus on strategic performance. The freedom this approach has given to the leadership team to answer shareholder and stakeholder concerns, and bring a more future-looking slant to the narrative, is refreshing and brings back the power of truly engaging and insightful corporate communications.
