ExchangeWire on UK Streaming Regulations, Rugby Ads, Walmart & OOH Revenue
In this episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell Tarín is joined by COO Lindsay Rowntree and co-founder & advisor Ciaran O’Kane to discuss streaming, retail, and out-of-home. They look into Ofcom's regulation of video-on-demand platforms, backlash over in-game ads on the Six Nations debut, and Walmart’s AI-powered shopping assistant, Sparky. 0:00 Introduction 1:51 UK s...
41m Feb 27
41m
MadTech Daily: WPP Unveils £500m Cost-Cutting Plan in AI-Led Overhaul; ByteDance’s Valuation Jumps to $550bn in Secondary Deal
In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover WPP unveiling a £500m cost-cutting plan in an AI-led overhaul, ByteDance being valued at $550bn in a proposed General Atlantic stake sale, and UK news giants launching a ‘NATO for News’ AI coalition.
2m Feb 27
2m
MadTech Daily: DoorDash to End Deliveroo Operations in Singapore; ITV Studios Launches Studio 55; Apple Rolls Out Global Age-Verification Tools
In today’s MadTech Daily, we look at DoorDash ending Deliveroo operations in Singapore, ITV Studios launching Studio 55 and opening its content library, as well as Apple rolling out global age-verification tools.
2m Feb 26
2m
MadTech Daily: UK VOD Services to Face New Ofcom Regulation; Canva Buys Animation and Marketing Startups; OOH Hit Record Revenue in 2025
In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover video-on-demand services facing new Ofcom regulation in the UK, Canva buying animation and marketing startups, and OOH hitting record revenue in 2025.
3m Feb 25
3m
MadTech Daily: Germany Backs Social Media Curbs for Children; DOJ Probes Netflix’s Power; MPA Sends Cease-and-Desist to ByteDance
In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Germany backing social media curbs for children, the DOJ probing Netflix’s market power in its Warner deal review, and the Motion Picture Association sending a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance over Seedance 2.0.
2m Feb 24
2m
MadTech Daily: eBay Acquires Depop; Amazon Overtakes Walmart in Annual Revenue
On today’s MadTech Daily we look at eBay acquiring Depop for USD$1.2bn, Amazon overtaking Walmart in annual revenue, and Scopely agreeing a $1bn deal for a Turkish game developer.
2m Feb 23
2m
MadTech Mailbag: ExchangeWire on Media Planning, Agencies, & Policy Moves
In our very first mailbag special, ExchangeWire’s head of marketing Grainne Reid is joined by CEO Rachel Smith and John Still, head of content, to answer our listeners’ biggest questions about ad tech and media. The team put on their media planning hats, debating where they would allocate spend across retail & commerce media, CTV, and out-of-home. They also discuss the strengths of independent...
37m Feb 20
37m
MadTech Daily: Omnicom Posts $941M Loss; WPP Launches Advertising Intelligence Framework; YouTube Now UK’s Leading Living-Room Screen
On today’s MadTech Daily we cover Omnicom posting a USD$941m Q4 loss following its IPG deal, WPP launching a new advertising intelligence framework, and YouTube becoming the UK’s leading living-room screen, according to a study.
2m Feb 20
2m
MadTech Daily: Perplexity Abandons Ads to Protect Trust in AI; Havas Posts Gains; Nvidia Lands Meta Deal
Today's MadTech Daily covers Perplexity stopping ads to protect AI trust, Havas posting APAC gains in a ‘transformative’ year, and Nvidia landing a multibillion-dollar deal with Meta.
2m Feb 19
2m
MadTech Daily: Digest: Starmer Targets Youth Social Media Access; Warner Bros Gives Paramount Final Bid Deadline
In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Starmer targeting youth social media access, Ireland’s DPC probing X over Grok imagery, and Ad Net Zero’s young leaders making new recommendations. We also look at Warner Bros giving Paramount a final bid deadline
2m Feb 18
2m
MadTech Daily: Disney Takes On Bytedance Over AI Video App; Alliance of Independent Agencies Launches Middle East Chapter 
In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover ByteDance scaling back its AI video app following a Disney warning, the Alliance of Independent Agencies launching a Middle East chapter with 23 founding members, and new data showing backlash to Six Nations in-game ads.
2m Feb 17
2m
MadTech Daily: Google Faces Fresh EU Antitrust Scrutiny Over Search Ad Auctions
Google is facing renewed antitrust scrutiny from EU regulators over its search advertising auctions, as Alibaba’s Qwen app demonstrates massive scale by processing 120 million orders in just six days, and Saudi-backed Savvy Games Group enters talks to acquire Moonton, the gaming studio owned by ByteDance.
2m Feb 16
2m
ExchangeWire's Ad Tech Quiz: Netflix Subscriptions, Meta’s Scam Ads, and Smartphone Use
How many UK households have a Netflix subscription? What percentage of Meta’s total revenue comes from scam ads? What was the smartphone usage rate in the UAE in 2025? In this quiz edition of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire’s head of marketing Grainne Reid is joined by COO Lindsay Rowntree and John Still, head of content. They look into the changing TV and streaming landscape, tolerances for...
30m Feb 13
30m
MadTech Daily: IPA Census 2025 Shows Staff Decline & Diversity Gains; Amazon Eyes Marketplace for AI Content Deals; Spotify Profits Soar After Raising Prices
In today’s MadTech Daily, we look at the IPA Census 2025 showing staff declines and diversity gains, Amazon eyeing a marketplace for AI content deals, and Spotify profits soaring after raising prices.
2m Feb 12
2m
MadTech Daily: Paramount Sweetens WBD Deal; Apple & Google Propose App Store Changes
In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss Paramount’s latest attempt to buy WBD; Alphabet planning a 100-year sterling bond sale, Apple and Google proposing App Store changes after a CMA probe
2m Feb 11
2m
UM MENAT's Abdelnabi Alaedinne on Media Planning, AI, and Innovation in MENA
In this special episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire CEO Rachel Smith is joined by Abdelnabi Alaedinne, regional director for digital & partnerships at UM MENAT, to discuss the evolving media and advertising landscape in MENA. Their conversation delves into emerging trends in the region, critical skills for media planners and strategists to effectively utilise AI, and balancing AI-driv...
44m Feb 10
44m
MadTech Daily: Scope3 Makes Second Round of Layoffs; China Fines Companies for Fake AI Services; Meta Criticises EU Action Over WhatsApp AI Rivals
In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Scope3 making a second round of layoffs, China fining companies for fake AI services, and Meta criticising EU action over WhatsApp AI rivals
2m Feb 10
2m
MadTech Daily: Meta Says Scam Ads May Account for 3–4% of Revenue; Google doubles down on AI; Qwen Tops China App Store
In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Meta saying scam ads may account for 3–4% of revenue, Google doubling down on AI with a USD$185bn spend plan, and Alibaba’s Qwen topping China’s App Store after a bubble tea campaign.
2m Feb 09
2m
ExchangeWire on Amazon's MCP, ChatGPT Advertising, and YouTube Vs. TV Viewing
In this episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire’s head of marketing, Grainne Reid, is joined by COO Lindsay Rowntree and John Still, head of content, to discuss three shifts across the AI, advertising, and digital media landscapes. They look into Amazon Ads' Model Context Protocol, OpenAI's minimum spend for ChatGPT advertising, and Google shutting down an initiative comparing YouTube vie...
31m Feb 06
31m
MadTech Daily: Google Set to Double AI Spend to $185bn After Strong Earnings; Netflix Reaches 61% of UK Households, Barb; Baidu Unveils its First Dividend
In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss Google set to double AI spending to USD$185bn (£137bn) after strong earnings, Netflix reaching 61% of UK households, according to Barb, and Baidu unveiling its first dividend alongside a USD$5bn (£3.7bn) buyback.
2m Feb 06
2m
MadTech Daily: DOJ Appeals Google Search Monopoly Ruling; WeChat Blocks Tencent AI Chatbot Giveaway; Netflix and Warner Bros Struggle on Merger
In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover the DOJ appealing the Google search monopoly ruling, WeChat blocking a Tencent AI chatbot giveaway, and Netflix and Warner Bros struggling over a potential merger.
2m Feb 05
2m
MadTech Daily: Amazon Opens Ad Stack to AI Agents; Uber Returns to Asia via Macau; Publicis Groupe Ends 2025 on a High
In today’s Digest, we look at Amazon opening its ad stack to AI agents, Uber returning to Asia via Macau, and Publicis Groupe ending 2025 on a high.
2m Feb 04
2m
MadTech Daily: OpenAI Sets $200,000 Spend for ChatGPT Ads; Alibaba’s Qwen Heats Up for Spring Festival; Could UK Fully Shift to Internet TV in 2030s?
In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover OpenAI setting a $200,000 minimum spend for ChatGPT advertising, Alibaba’s Qwen heating up the AI app race, and Sky research suggesting the UK could fully shift to internet TV in the 2030s.
2m Feb 03
2m
MadTech Daily: IAB Forecasts 9.5% US Ad Spend Growth; OpenAI Eyes $40bn Funding; Nine Sells 2GB & 3AW to Arthur Laundy
On today’s MadTech Daily, we cover the IAB forecasting 9.5% US ad spend growth in 2026 driven by digital and agentic AI, OpenAI eyeing USD$40bn (£29.6bn) in funding from Nvidia, Amazon, and Microsoft, as well as  Nine selling 2GB and 3AW to Arthur Laundy.
2m Feb 02
2m
Publicis Media’s Mazen Mroueh on Retail Media and Orchestration in MENA
In this special episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire CEO Rachel Smith is joined by Mazen Mroueh, head of performance product & operations & retail media at Publicis Media in Dubai, to talk about the new phase of retail media. Their conversation looks into shifting consumer behaviours and the move from monetisation to orchestration, exploring how agencies and data collaboration are driv...
39m Jan 30
39m
MadTech Daily: Meta to Almost Double AI Investment; Thailand to Tighten Social Media Ad Regulations
On today’s MadTech Daily we cover Meta planning to nearly double its AI investment amidst Q4 revenue growth, Thailand moving to tighten advertiser verification, and OpenAI teaming with Booking.com for a new UK programme.
2m Jan 30
2m
MadTech Daily: VOD to Power UK Ad Growth; Is an AI Overview Opt-Out for Publishers Coming Soon?
Today’s MadTech Daily covers the UK pressuring Google over AI Overview opt-outs for websites, Google axing YouTube vs TV viewing comparisons, and UK advertising hitting £12.5bn in Q3, up 11.4%.
2m Jan 29
2m
MadTech Daily: Meta to Test Premium Subscriptions Across Platforms; Google Agrees to $68m Privacy Settlement; YouTubers Sue Snap
On today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Meta testing premium subscriptions across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp as well as Google agreeing to a USD$68m settlement over voice assistant privacy claims, while it receives guidance from the EU about how to help search rivals. We also cover YouTubers suing Snap over AI-related copyright infringement.
2m Jan 28
2m
MadTech Daily: ICE Seeks Ad Tech Tools for Investigations; Threads Rolls Out Global Ads; WPP Retires Hogarth
On today's MadTech Daily, we cover ICE seeking ad tech and big data tools for investigations. We also look at major Meta news, including Threads rolling out global ads and Meta banning teens from AI bots amid a youth addiction trial, as well as WPP retiring Hogarth and launching WPP Production.
2m Jan 27
2m
MadTech Daily: TikTok Splits US App From Global Business; YouTube CTV Ads Enable Shopping; Netflix Doubles Ad Revenue
On today’s MadTech Daily, we look at TikTok splitting its US app from its global business, YouTube CTV ads enabling shopping, and Netflix doubling ad revenue while eyeing growth in 2026.
2m Jan 26
2m
ExchangeWire on the BBC's YouTube Partnership, Amazon & Temu E-Commerce, and Google’s Legal Battles
“If you think about GAM’s stranglehold, it’s over the open web, and the open web is in decline, so they can make the argument that [they’re] not really a monopoly.” In this episode of the MadTech podcast, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell Tarín is joined by co-founder & advisor Ciaran O’Kane and head of content John Still to discuss the TV and video landscape, shifting consumer mindsets in e-co...
34m Jan 23
34m
MadTech Daily: TikTok Lowers its Walled Garden Walls; Amazon Opens Pre Bid Adapter Beta; Lords Back UK Under 16s Social Media Ban
On today's MadTech Daily we cover TikTok using Pixels to track performance beyond its platform, Amazon launching Prebid Adapter Beta to connect ad demand, and UK Lords backing social media ban for under-16s.
2m Jan 23
2m
MadTech Daily: BBC and YouTube Strike Strategic Partnership; FTC to Appeal Meta Antitrust Ruling; IPA Launches Gen AI Forum
On today’s MadTech Daily, we cover the BBC Group and YouTube striking a strategic UK partnership, the FTC moving to appeal a Meta antitrust ruling, and the IPA launching the IPAi Forum focused on generative AI.
2m Jan 22
2m
MadTech Daily: Temu Revenue Catches up to Amazon; Meta Accused of Ignoring Illegal Gambling Ads; ByteDance Challenges Alibaba With AI-Powered Cloud Push
On today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss Temu catching up to Amazon in global cross-border e-commerce, the UK Gambling Commission accusing Meta of ignoring illegal gambling ads, and ByteDance challenging Alibaba with an AI-powered cloud push.
2m Jan 21
2m
MadTech Daily: Publishers Sue Google Over Alleged Ad Tech Manipulation; Labour MPs Push for Under-16s Social Media Ban
On today’s MadTech Daily, we cover five US publishers suing Google over alleged ad tech manipulation as well as Google appealing a landmark antitrust verdict over its search monopoly. We also cover 60 plus MPs urging Starmer to act on an under-16s social media ban and Threads surpassing X in daily mobile users.
2m Jan 20
2m
MadTech Daily: Ads Come to ChatGPT; BBC to Air Programmes on YouTube; Singapore Eases Data Sharing
In today’s MadTech Daily, we look at the new ChatGPT ads, BBC teaming with YouTube, and Singapore changing laws to ease data sharing.
2m Jan 19
2m
ExchangeWire on Google’s UCP, Apple Tapping Gemini for Siri, and Paramount Suing Warner Bros
In this episode of the MadTech podcast, ExchangeWire’s head of marketing Grainne Reid is joined by head of content John Still and COO Lindsay Rowntree to discuss three major stories surrounding AI, consumer tech, and media power dynamics. They look into Google’s new protocol for AI-driven commerce, Apple’s decision to tap Google’s Gemini for Siri, and Paramount’s lawsuit following Warner Bros’...
28m Jan 16
28m
MadTech Daily: Wikimedia Expands AI Partnerships Across Tech Giants; Alibaba’s Qwen App Tops 100m Users; Freely Tops 1m Weekly Users
In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Wikimedia expanding AI partnerships across tech giants, Alibaba’s Qwen app topping 100m users, and Freely surpassing 1m weekly users.
2m Jan 16
2m
MadTech Daily: Dentsu’s Bid to Sell Global Unit nears Collapse; UK Seeks Copyright Reset between AI and Creators; Netflix Prepares Cash Deal for Warner Bros. and HBO Max
In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Dentsu’s bid to sell a global unit nearing collapse, the UK seeking a copyright reset between AI firms and creators, and Netflix eyeing a cash deal for Warner Bros. and HBO Max.
2m Jan 15
2m
MadTech Daily: Apple Taps Google Gemini to Power AI Siri; Paramount Skydance Takes WBD to Court; Study Reveals Publishers’ Grim Search Outlook
On today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Apple tapping Google Gemini to power AI Siri, Paramount Skydance taking Warner Bros. Discovery to court, and a study revealing publishers’ grim outlook for search.
2m Jan 14
2m
MadTech Daily: Google Introduces New AI Commerce Standard; Nvidia Appoints First-Ever CMO; Trump Pushes Back on Netflix’s Warner Bros. Acquisition
In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Google introducing a new AI commerce standard, Nvidia appointing its first-ever CMO, and Trump pushing back on Netflix’s Warner Bros. acquisition.
2m Jan 13
2m
MadTech Daily: TikTok Splits US Staff Ahead of Sale; DeepSeek Rival MiniMax Sees Shares Soar 87%
In today’s MadTech Daily we discuss TikTok splitting its US staff ahead of a potential sale, China AI listings lifting MiniMax’s shares by 87%, and Anthropic planning a $10bn raise to reach a $350bn valuation.
2m Jan 12
2m
ExchangeWire's Big Ad Tech Quiz
In this episode of the MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell Tarín is joined by head of content John Still and COO Lindsay Rowntree for a quiz covering some of the biggest recent events in the ad tech industry. They look at ChatGPT, cookies, ad fraud, and the bidding war for WBD.
32m Jan 09
32m
MadTech Daily: Disney’s Latest Ad Tech Launches; WBD Rejects Paramount’s Bid
On today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss Disney’s biggest ad tech updates from CES, WBD swatting away Paramount’s latest bid, and Spotify opening the door wider for video podcasters.
2m Jan 09
2m
MadTech Daily: IAB Reveals Agentic Roadmap; China Examines Meta’s $2bn Manus Acquisition; Amazon Faces Claims of Unauthorised Indie Listings
In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss the IAB revealing its Agentic Roadmap, China examining Meta’s USD$2bn Manus deal, and Amazon facing claims over unauthorised indie listings.
2m Jan 08
2m
MadTech Daily: Reddit Launches AI Buying Tool; WPP Launches Agent Hub; Judge Rejects Amazon’s Bid to Dismiss Price Gouging Lawsuit
On today’s MadTech Daily we cover Reddit launching an AI media buying tool, WPP launching Agent Hub to power agentic AI marketing, and a US judge rejecting Amazon’s bid to dismiss a price gouging lawsuit.
2m Jan 07
2m
MadTech Daily: UK Enforces Ban on Junk Food TV Ads Before 9pm; Omnicom Teams Up with Google for Insights Tool
On today’s MadTech Daily, we cover the UK enforcing a ban on junk food TV ads before 9pm, Omnicom Media working with Google on a new insights tool, and OpenAI going all-in on audio with an audio-first device expected to launch this year.
2m Jan 06
2m
MadTech Daily: Meta acquires Manus; ITV Invests in The Body Coach App; Adform Acquires Splicky
In our first MadTech Daily of 2026, we cover Meta acquiring Manus, ITV investing in The Body Coach app, and Adform acquiring Splicky
2m Jan 05
2m
MadTech Daily: Oracle Co-Founder Backs Paramount’s Hostile Bid for Warner Bros Discovery; Instacart Terminates AI Price Tests
Today’s MadTech Daily discusses Larry Ellison giving his personal backing to Paramount’s hostile bid for Warner Bros Discovery, Instacart deciding to terminate price tests on its platform following pushback from customers, as well as Netflix's latest moves in the video podcast space.
2m Dec 24, 2025
2m
MadTech Daily: Google Sues Web Scraping Company; ByteDance Boosts Benefits Amid AI Talent War
Today’s MadTech Daily covers Google suing SerpApi over its web scraping activity, ByteDance boosting benefits for staff to attract and retain top AI talent around the globe, plus Facebook carrying out a test which limits the number of links creators and businesses can post on the platform.
2m Dec 23, 2025
2m