The MadTech Podcast

In today's MadTech Daily, we look at Penske Media acquiring the Vox Media portfolio in a major publishing deal; Telegram losing its appeal against an app block in India; and the Attorney General ordering a government department off X over disinformation fears. 

In this episode, Ant Hopper of the 99ers sits down with ExchangeWire's Rachel Smith and Grainne Reid to discuss the UK social media ban for under-16s, Google's AI search changes and the data landscape as Accenture buys Whalar

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover Ant Group transforming Alipay into an AI-powered platform, Hyundai testing containerised ad tech, and Coupang being hit with a record fine over a massive data breach.

In today's MadTech Daily, we look at Uber expanding its advertising business beyond its own apps, Electronic Arts launching an in-game advertising platform, and Walmart expanding retail media measurement across YouTube campaigns.

In today's MadTech Daily, we discuss Fox agreeing to a USD$22bn Roku Deal to boost streaming, Pinterest adding Amazon storefront links, and e-commerce giant Coupang being fined a record sum over a data breach.

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover Publicis and TTD settling dispute, The Advertising Association unveiling a new global identity, and Coupang being hit with a record fine over a data breach.

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover ChatGPT Ads landing its first Conversion API partner in LiveRamp, Seven's parent company cutting jobs as TV earnings fall, and Amazon DSP integrating Adelaide attention targeting.

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.The first story this week is MENA becoming the world's fastest-growing digital advertising market. The team discuss the biggest categories in the region and their expectations for future growth. The second covers the CMA imposing new measures on Google search, and whether this affords publishers greater protection in the AI era.Finally, UK ad exports recorded a £19.4bn milestone in 2025. Is the UK proud enough of its advertising industry, and what's being done to further promote it?•••July 8th, Sands Expo & Convention Centre. ATS Singapore 2026. This year marks fifteen years of ExchangeWire bringing together the people who actually run this industry in APAC. We've got some great speakers lined up, including Index Exchange CEO Andrew Casale, on stage in conversation with Ciaran O'Kane.That's before you factor in the rest of the people on stage and in the room: senior buyers, sellers, traders, and decision-makers. This is where the industry figures out what it's going to do next, and you need to be in the room.Secure your ticket now → https://events.exchangewire.com/ATSSingapore2026 •••0:00 Introduction0:53 MENA digital advertising spend hits $8.185bn6:35 Maturity of MENA ecosystem vs. other markets9:05 CMA imposes conduct requirement on Google18:16 Is Google being made an example of?21:08 ATS Singapore 2026 speaker lineup22:58 UK ad exports hit £19.4bn

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover Netflix bringing Upfronts to the UK for the first time, Brussels forcing Meta to allow rival AI services on WhatsApp, and Italy's Bending Spoons filing for a US IPO.

In today's MadTech Daily, we look at MENA becoming the fastest-growing advertising market, Whalar joining Accenture in an acquisition deal, and VCCP unveiling a new retail media offering alongside an ECD appointment.

In today's MadTech Daily, we discuss Portugal fining telecoms companies over ad collusion, The Trade Desk's CRO stepping down after seven months, and software buyouts falling to pandemic-era lows amid an AI-driven market rout

In today's Digest, we cover Google introducing Search Profiles in Discover, Roblox expanding ads to children under 13, and Singtel securing AI funding through a partnership deal in Singapore. 

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover the SPUR Coalition welcoming 30 new members at the World News Media Congress, and Peer39 strengthening its verification offering through a deal with Adloox, and Malaysia's under-16 social media ban taking effect on 1st June.

Is the industry sleepwalking into a creative quality crisis? Why are we still building retail media on first-wave infrastructure? Are marketers ready to adopt audio as a full funnel channel?This week, we're handing the mic over to our audience for another mailbag special. We've gathered burning questions from across the ad tech landscape and put them to our team, who'll dive in and answer as best they can… In this episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire's head of content, John Still, is joined by CEO Rachel Smith and COO Lindsay Rowntree to discuss generative AI content, retail media, and audio. The conversation explores if AI is doing more harm than good to public perceptions of advertising, the pace of retail media's evolution, and measurement challenges with audio channels.Thank you to DAIVID's Barney Worfolk-Smith, VML's Kiessé Lamour, and Audion's Kamel El Hadef for this month's questions!Got a burning question for the ExchangeWire team? Send your questions over to us and we'll answer in our next monthly mailbag special...0:00 Introduction0:47 Is the industry sleepwalking into a creative quality crisis?20:46 Why are we still building retail media on first-wave infrastructure?33:53 Are marketers ready to adopt audio as a full funnel channel?

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover Google coming under UK scrutiny over its use of publisher content in AI products, InMobi and Scope3 launching an autonomous media buying agent, and DeepSeek nearing a $7bn funding round. 

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover UK ad exports reaching £19.4bn, Tencent readying an AI agent for China's most-used app, and Anthropic making its public market debut amid the AI surge. 

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover Perplexity facing a CNN lawsuit over a copyright dispute, Amazon launching new bidstream signal tools, and Pichai downplaying fears around ‘Google Zero'. 

In today's Digest, we discuss Walmart teaming up with Yahoo and Magnite on an ad tech overhaul, Meta renewing its funding pledge for the Oversight Board, and Anthropic nearing a USD$1tn valuation ahead of an IPO.

In this special episode of The MadTech Podcast, Dave Barr and Nick Fletcher, co-founders of TruTxt, join ExchangeWire's John Still to discuss localisation and monetisation of international publisher traffic.TruTxt is FirstPartyStudio's first incubation supported by FirstPartyCapital. The AI-powered platform helps publishers grow international audiences, improve engagement, and increase revenue through real-time content translation, localisation, and advertising optimisation infrastructure.Dave and Nick discuss the challenges faced by the publishing industry and the global traffic dilemma. While digital publishers are attracting an increasingly global audience, non-local language traffic is often deprioritised. As content consumption shifts towards multimedia, translation and localisation will unlock more opportunities for publishers to regrow lost traffic and revenue.0:00 Introduction2:51 What are the challenges faced by publishers?6:38 Barriers to monetising international traffic9:03 Revenue and opportunities in content translation 15:32 Applications of content localisation in different sectors17:02 How is AI being used to scale technology?  20:33 AI translation in multimedia and video

In today's Digest, we cover Temu being hit with an EU fine over unsafe product sales, ChatGPT adding cost-per-action advertising, and YouTube rolling out AI content detection and labeling.

In today's Madtech Daily, we cover the Supreme Court rejecting Meta's appeal in an addiction case, Instagram banning betting ads featuring Kane and Haaland, and an IPA report warning that ‘small thinking' is hurting advertising.

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover ITN launching YouTube subscriptions for archive content, AI guardrails being removed from Meta and Google's models, and Pope Leo challenging Big Tech in a new AI encyclical.

 In today's MadTech Daily, we look at whether Uber is still keen on Delivery Hero, plus Google's latest commerce move and a new app ahead of the World Cup. 

How much did Publicis acquire LiveRamp for? What percentage of UK digital advertising businesses are using AI? What figure is Meta's ad revenue projected to hit in 2026?In this quiz edition of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire's head of marketing is joined by John Still, head of content, and COO Lindsay Rowntree, with an all-time score of 3-0. The first story this week is Publicis Groupe acquiring data collaboration platform LiveRamp. The team discusses what this means for the industry and the agentic opportunities it presents for the agency holding group. The second explores the pace of AI adoption in digital advertising, and the regulations needed alongside its rapid acceleration. Finally, they examine Meta's ad revenue growth, which is projected to rise in 2026 before slowing in 2027, and the possible reasons behind those figures.*Lindsay was referring to Meta's Advantage+, not Automated+0:00 Introduction1:12 How much did Publicis acquire LiveRamp for?11:06 What percentage of UK digital advertising businesses are using AI?23:25 What figure is Meta's ad revenue projected to hit in 2026?

In today's MadTech Daily, we look at The Telegraph and AMI launching a £1m media fund, and Murdoch acquiring Vox Media, New York Magazine, and a podcast network. 

In today's MadTech Daily, we discuss OpenAI committing USD$234m as Singapore signs new AI deals, Google debuting a new AI model amid pressure from coding rivals, and UK advertising returning to Cannes Lions.

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover Musk losing the OpenAI trial after a two-hour verdict, Google and Blackstone launching an AI cloud venture, and HBO Max debuting podcast content in Europe. 

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover terrestrial TV switch-off plans coming under government review, Baidu saying AI is now its primary growth driver despite a revenue drop, and Anthropic set to brief a global watchdog on Mythos cyber flaws. 

In today's Digest, we cover Publicis' purchase of LiveRamp, Netflix debuting new ad markets, podcast inventory, and vertical video ads. We also discuss WBD betting on agentic advertising ahead of its Paramount merger and AI driving 129% growth for ‘meaningful' brands. 

In this episode of The MadTech Podcast, Kashif Dalvi, digital strategy partner at the7stars, joins ExchangeWire COO Lindsay Rowntree and John Still, head of content.The first story is Alibaba integrating Qwen into Taobao, its biggest e-commerce platform. They discuss if the future of search lies in fluid conversations, and compare the latest developments in AI and e-commerce across different regions. The second story covers Instagram's plans to expand into long-form CTV content, emulating YouTube.Finally, Amazon data will become available on Netflix inventory in the UK and wider EMEA region from next week. What can advertisers gain from this integration, and which players stand to lose the most from it?0:00 Introduction1:24 Alibaba integrates Qwen into biggest e-commerce platforms18:54 Instagram plans long-form content for CTV29:44 Amazon data to become available on Netflix inventory

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover ministers being urged to act as AI adoption hits 95%, Ofcom drafting new rules for streaming platforms, and Tencent missing Q1 forecasts while doubling down on AI.

In today's Digest, we cover Meta's ad business set to reach $240bn amid a market surge, Alibaba's AI revenue posting its 11th straight quarter of triple-digit growth, and Netflix being accused of spying in a Texas lawsuit.

On today's MadTech Daily we cover TikTok introducing an ad-free subscription in the UK and Byron Allen taking over BuzzFeed as CEO in a $120m buyout. We also discuss Meta being sued over scam ads in California. 

On today's MadTech Daily we cover Alibaba leaning into AI shopping with a Qwen–Taobao tie-up, Amazon data set to power Netflix ads in the UK from 18th May, and Instagram exploring long-form video on CTV. 

On today's MadTech Daily, we cover OpenAI expanding ChatGPT ads globally as The Trade Desk's CSO joins the company, Meta taking Ofcom to court over online safety penalties, and Apple agreeing to a USD$250m payout over Siri AI misrepresentation.

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.The first story this week is the four tech giants collectively earning over $100bn in ad revenue in Q1 of 2026, with Alphabet in the lead. The team discuss areas of growth for the walled gardens and the 'squeeze' of the open web. The second dives into generational differences in news consumption habits, and how news brands can turn that trust into value for advertisers and agency partners. Finally, Omnicom has been testing live media buys with AI agents, cutting out the ad tech middlemen. What does this mean for agencies, and how dramatically could it change the ad tech landscape?0:00 Introduction0:58 How much did Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Amazon earn in ad revenue in Q1?9:45 How are different age groups accessing news?20:01 How is agentic media buying changing the ad tech landscape?

On today's MadTech Daily we cover Meta preparing AI agents to perform tasks for users, the EU easing AI restrictions, and Meta asking a judge to throw out the verdict for its social media addiction case. 

On today's MadTech Daily we look at OpenAI expanding ChatGPT ads with a US-based manager and CPA bidding, Amazon taking aim at supply chain dominance, and publishers suing Meta over AI training copyright claims.

On today's MadTech Daily we look at the Trump administration considering AI model safety reviews, Duncan Painter leaving Omnicom's data and commerce role, and Image AI models outpacing chatbots in app growth

On today's MadTech Daily, we cover OpenAI laying the groundwork for ChatGPT ads in the EU and sharing user data with advertisers, Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman, and Goldman Sachs backing a new enterprise AI venture, and Elon Musk settling an SEC lawsuit over his Twitter purchase, paying a USD$1.5m fine.

In this episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire's head of marketing, Grainne Reid, is joined by CEO Rachel Smith and COO Lindsay Rowntree.Index Exchange has deployed the world's first containerised DSP on its new cloud infrastructure. The team discuss the technical side of Index Cloud and how it changes bid mechanics on the open web. The second story covers Meta's plans to extend its advertising offerings into CTV. Finally, they look into News UK's synthetic audience-planning tool, Times ExplorAItion, and the ways publishers are leveraging their first-party data to better target audiences.0:00 Introduction0:58 Bedrock Platform debuts first containerised DSP15:12 Meta looks to CTV to fuel advertising growth26:55 News UK launches tool with Times first-party data

On today's MadTech Daily, we discuss Meta being found in breach of EU law over child safety and it opening its ads ecosystem to third-party AI. We also cover big tech surpassing $100bn in Q1 ad revenue as well as Uber expanding into hotels through an Expedia deal.

On today's MadTech Daily, we look at Omnicom testing AI agents to cut out ad tech middlemen as it reports its Q1 results, Australia forcing big tech to pay for news or face a 2.25% tax, and retail media ad spend seeing 30.5% growth in Q4 2025. 

On today's MadTech Daily we discuss Pinterest launching CTV audiences following its tvScientific deal, Google signing a Pentagon agreement for ‘any lawful' AI use, and Anthropic testing AI-to-AI commerce in an internal marketplace pilot.

On today's MadTech Daily, we discuss Meta eyeing CTV to fuel ad growth, News UK building a synthetic audience tool to sharpen targeting and prove ROI, plus Musk and Altman heading to trial in a high-stakes battle over OpenAI's future. 

In today's MadTech Daily, we discuss ChatGPT beginning to show ads to logged-out users, and Norway planning an under-16 social media ban as Turkey passes an under-15 ban. We also look at Meta launching an Instagram spinoff app, ‘Instants'.

What was the minimum spend commitment from advertisers on ChatGPT ads? Which marketing spend category was the standout performer in Q1 of 2026? What is the percentage of active social media users in the UK in 2026?In this quiz edition of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire's head of marketing, Grainne Reid, is joined by COO Lindsay Rowntree and head of content, John Still. They look into advertising on AI platforms, the latest IPA Bellwether Report, and the decline of social media use in the UK.---0:00 Introduction1:05 Price drops for ChatGPT ads9:51 IPA Bellwether Report: Q1 2026 marketing spend20:36 Active UK social media users decreasing

On today's MadTech Daily we cover WBD shareholders approving the Paramount–Skydance merger, WPP restructuring its commerce capabilities, and PayPal targeting streaming TV ads.

On today's MadTech Daily we discuss Bedrock Platform piloting Index Exchange's new Index Cloud, the Consumer Federation of America suing Meta Platforms over alleged scam advertising practices, and Radiocentre urging MPs to reject advertising on BBC platforms. 

On today's MadTech Daily we cover California filing a price-fixing legal claim against Amazon, Singapore proposing a global standard for generative AI testing, and Apple naming John Ternus as CEO successor to Tim Cook.

On today's MadTech Daily we cover Meta planning to begin a new round of layoffs on 20th May, the White House and Anthropic holding “productive” AI talks, and ByteDance's profit being hit by AI costs despite an overseas surge.