On Activating First Party Data With AUDIENCES' Rob McLaughlin & easyJet's Sandy Ghuman
In this special episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire COO Lindsay Rowntree is joined by Rob McLaughlin, founder & CEO of AUDIENCES, and Sandy Ghuman, senior product manager for customer data & transformation at easyJet. They look at the challenges of activating first party data, from complexities to cultural silos, and how brands can turn their data into meaningful signals. 0:00 Introd...
48m Mar 20
48m
MadTech Daily: Publicis Advises Clients to Avoid The Trade Desk; Meta Misses Illegal Financial Ads; Alibaba Forms New AI Business Group
Today’s MadTech Daily covers Publicis advising clients to avoid The Trade Desk, Meta missing illegal financial ads in Britain, and Alibaba forming a new AI business group.
2m Mar 19
2m
MadTech Daily: Whistleblowers Say Meta & TikTok Amplify Harmful Content for Engagement; Amazon Rolls Out 1-Hour Delivery
In today’s MadTech Daily we cover whistleblowers saying Meta and TikTok amplify harmful content in order to keep users’ attention, Amazon rolling out one-hour delivery in US cities, and the UK government launching a local media support initiative.
2m Mar 18
2m
MadTech Daily: OpenAI Tests Ads Manager and Prepares Agentic Storefronts Feature; Meta Plans Layoffs while Publishers Back its Expulsion from IAB Sweden
Today’s MadTech Daily covers OpenAI testing an Ads Manager and preparing its Agentic Storefronts feature, Meta being expelled from IAB Sweden while it plans major staff layoffs, and TikTok investors facing a huge bill from the Trump Administration.
2m Mar 17
2m
MadTech Daily: Ads Could be Coming to Gemini; Publicis Acquires AdgeAI; Social Media Addiction Jury Trial Concludes
Today's MadTech Daily covers the latest surrounding ads on Gemini, an AI acquisition by Publicis, and the closing arguments in the first ever social media addiction jury trial.
2m Mar 16
2m
ExchangeWire's Ad Tech Quiz: Telegraph Acquisition, ChatGPT Ads, and Social Media Bans
At what figure did Axel Springer acquire the Telegraph? What percentage of ads served on ChatGPT were retail and grocery related? How many children are taking part in the UK's trial for a potential social media ban? In this quiz edition of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell Tarín is joined by COO Lindsay Rowntree and John Still, head of content. They look into M&A in publish...
47m Mar 13
47m
MadTech Daily: Ofcom Takes Action Against Social Platforms; Public Opposes Ads on BBC; Meta Acquires AI Agent Network
Today's MadTech Daily covers Ofcom taking action against social media platforms for their failure to protect children under the age of 13, research demonstrating that the public opposes ads on the BBC, and Meta's acquisition of Moltbook, a social network designed for AI agents.
2m Mar 13
2m
MadTech Daily: Meta Hikes Ad Prices; AI Agents Cannot Act on your Behalf Without Platform Permission, Rules US Judge; IPA Unveils Agency Pricing Playbook 
Today’s MadTech Daily covers Meta hiking ad fees in some European regions, a ruling from a California judge regarding AI agents, and a new Playbook launched by the IPA to help agencies with their pricing models.
2m Mar 12
2m
MadTech Daily: Anthropic Sues US Defense Department; Meta’s Deepfake Moderation Falling Short
Today's MadTech Daily covers Anthropic suing the US Defense Department, Meta's Oversight Board finding its deepfake moderation is falling short, and a new feature on Barb's Ads Hub.
2m Mar 11
2m
MESMDA's Rad Arekat on Social Media & Digital in MENA
*This podcast was recorded before recent events across the Middle East, and as such makes no mention of the geopolitical situation in the region. In this special episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire's head of content, John Still, is joined by Rad Arekat, founder of the Middle East Social Media & Digital Association (MESMDA). They discuss the changes and opportunities in MENA's social ...
26m Mar 10
26m
MadTech Daily: Retail and Grocery Brands Dominate ChatGPT Ads Trial; Walmart to Phase Out Vizio Accounts
Today’s MadTech Daily covers retail ads dominating on ChatGPT, Walmart announcing the phase-out of Vizio accounts on its TVs, and the Trump Administration drawing up new rules following its clash with Anthropic.
2m Mar 10
2m
MadTech Daily: Axel Springer Acquires Telegraph for £575m; Indonesia to Implement Social Media Ban for Under-16s; UK Delays AI Copyright Rule Decisions
Today’s MadTech Daily covers Axel Springer acquiring the Telegraph for £575m, Indonesia moving to implement a social media ban for under-16s, and the UK delaying AI copyright rule decisions.
2m Mar 09
2m
MadTech Daily: Amazon Expands Audience Segments to Netflix; BBC Floats iPlayer as a Home for Rival Broadcasters
On today’s MadTech Daily we cover Amazon expanding its audience segments to Netflix, the BBC floating iPlayer as a home for rival broadcasters, and the ITV reporting its latest revenue figures.
2m Mar 06
2m
ExchangeWire on Meta AI Shopping & Paramount Winning Warner Bros as Netflix Exits Race
In this episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire CEO Rachel Smith and COO Lindsay Rowntree join head of marketing, Grainne Reid, to discuss the agentic commerce and streaming landscapes. They look into Meta's new shopping research tool and the conclusion to Netflix and Paramount's months-long battle to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. 0:00 Introduction 0:55 Meta tests AI shopping tool 13:47...
21m Mar 06
21m
MadTech Daily: Amazon Eyes Role in Chatbot Ad Sales; News Corp Lands $50m AI Deal with Meta; 85% of Europeans Use Ad-Supported Streaming
In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Amazon eyeing a role in chatbot ad sales, News Corp landing a USD$50m (£37m) AI deal with Meta, and 85% of Europeans using ad-supported streaming.
2m Mar 05
2m
MadTech Daily: Meta Trials AI Shopping Tool; Google to Fill 150 Tech Roles in Singapore; eBay Cuts 800 Jobs
In today’s Madtech Daily, we cover Meta trialling an AI shopping tool to challenge ChatGPT, Google planning to fill 150 tech roles in Singapore, Gemini, and eBay cutting 800 jobs, 6% of its workforce.
2m Mar 04
2m
MadTech Daily: UK to Trial Social Media Ban on Under-16s; Google Patent Hints at AI-Generated Landing Pages
Today’s MadTech Daily covers the UK launching a consultation on a social media ban for under-16s, a Google patent hinting at AI-generated landing pages, and Roblox surpassing TikTok in Gen Z shopping growth.
2m Mar 03
2m
MadTech Daily: Paramount to Take Over Warner Bros as Netflix Drops Bid; Dentsu Names Takeshi Sano Global CEO
Today’s MadTech Daily covers Netflix pulling out of the bidding war for Warner Bros, Dentsu naming Takeshi Sano as global CEO, and HubSpot expanding its media reach with a Starter Story deal.
2m Mar 02
2m
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