The MadTech Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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 agencies versus holdcos, and unpack the legal and regulatory battles shaping the industry, from antitrust trials to social media bans.0:00 Introduction1:27 Kerry asks: Media planning14:01 Steve asks: Agencies26:16 Paul asks: Investigations & policy moves

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 fraudulent ads (and insects in chocolate), and open web versus mobile advertising.0:00 Introduction1:14 SVOD subscription numbers13:28 Meta scam ads revenue21:15 Smartphone usage rates26:01 MENA focus

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.

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

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-driven efficiency with human creativity and strategy.0:00 Introduction; MENA media landscape5:46 Role and impact of AI 13:41 Optimisation and measurement value27:19 Influence of planners & strategists36:44 The next wave of media innovation

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

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.

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 viewing with traditional TV and streaming.0:00 Introduction1:27 Amazon unveils MCP12:15 OpenAI testing ChatGPT ads21:39 Google halts Kantar & Barb initiative 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 driving a more sophisticated retail media ecosystem in the MENA region.0:00 The new phase of retail media8:47 Role of the agency16:40 Data collaboration & advertising29:55 Retail media success in 2-3 years

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.

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%.

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.

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.

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.

“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-commerce, and Google's legal battles.They look into the BBC's new partnership with YouTube, Temu catching up with Amazon in global cross-border e-commerce, 5 US publishers filing lawsuits against Google, and Google appealing the verdict in its search antitrust case.0:00 Introduction1:32 BBC and YouTube announce partnership10:52 E-commerce: Amazon & Temu20:57 5 US publishers file lawsuits against Google27:23 Google appeals US landmark antitrust ruling

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.

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.

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.

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. 

In today's MadTech Daily, we look at the new ChatGPT ads, BBC teaming with YouTube, and Singapore changing laws to ease data sharing.

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' rejection of its latest offer.0:00 Introduction0:56 Google announces Universal Commerce Protocol13:53 Apple strikes deal with Google to use Gemini19:50 Paramount sues Warner Bros over Netflix deal

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

In our first MadTech Daily of 2026, we cover Meta acquiring Manus, ITV investing in The Body Coach app, and Adform acquiring Splicky

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.

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. 

In this special episode of the MadTech podcast, ExchangeWire's head of content John Still is joined by CEO Rachel Smith, COO Lindsay Rowntree, and co-founder & advisor Ciaran O'Kane to share their big industry predictions for the year ahead. They look at the impact of AI search on brands and publishers, how the Omnicom-IPG deal will change the global agency landscape, and a reframing of ad tech amid the contraction of the open web. 0:00 Introduction 1:52 Rachel: “Publishers become brands, brands become publishers” 20:10 Lindsay: “Agencies” 29:54 Ciaran: “A reframing of ad tech”

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover DoorDash partnering with OpenAI to enable grocery ordering in ChatGPT, the WBD board rejecting Paramount's offer, and the FTC probing Instacart's Eversight dynamic pricing algorithm.

In today's Digest, we cover Amazon in talks to invest over USD$10bn in OpenAI, and OpenAI hiring George Osborne to lead its global ‘Stargate' expansion. We also discuss the Trump administration threatening Spotify over EU tech rules, and an IAB report highlighting how digital ads shape today's media.

In today's Digest, we cover Meta tolerating China-linked ad fraud to protect revenue, the US suspending a tech deal with the UK amid trade frustrations, and AI becoming Santa's helper for 2025 Christmas shopping.