The MadTech Podcast
ExchangeWire's Ad Tech Quiz: ChatGPT Ads, Marketing Spend, and Social Media Use
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 Introduction
1:05 Price drops for ChatGPT ads
9:51 IPA...
MadTech Daily: Warner Bros Discovery Shareholders Approve Paramount Skydance Merger; WPP's Latest Restructuring
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.
MadTech Daily: DSP Bedrock Platform Pilots Index Exchange's Index Cloud; Meta Sued Over Scam Ads; Radiocentre Urges MPs to Reject BBC 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.
MadTech Daily: California Lawsuit Accuses Amazon of Price Fixing; Singapore Proposes Global Standard for Gen AI Testing; Apple Names Ternus CEO Successor
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.
MadTech Daily: Meta to Cut 8,000 Jobs; White House & Anthropic Hold “Productive” AI Talks; ByteDance Profit Hit by AI Costs
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.
MadTech Daily: Price Drops for ChatGPT Ads; Google in Talks with Pentagon; Publishing Giants Plan Cuts
Today's MadTech Daily covers advertisers reporting prices dropping for ads on ChatGPT, Google holding discussions with the Pentagon for a Gemini deal, as well as the BBC and Bauer Media planning massive workforce cuts.
Fairprice's Jaren Loy on Retail Media in APAC
In this special episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire CEO Rachel Smith is joined by Jaren Loy, business marketing lead at Fairprice in Singapore. They discuss the value and challenges of retail media, from the availability of first party data to cross-channel measurement for proving better outcomes, and how the APAC market compares to other regions.
Based on a panel for ATS Singapore 2026: Retail Media Reality Check: Building Networks, Data Pipes & In‑Store Scale. Retail media in APAC is exploding, but standards, tech stacks, and measurement are still evolving. This discussion covers in‑store screens, loyalty engines, data...
MadTech Daily: OpenAI Builds Tool to Track ChatGPT Ad Conversions; UK MPs Vote Down Under-16 Social Media Ban Again
Today’s MadTech Daily covers OpenAI building a tool to track ChatGPT ad conversions, UK MPs voting down under-16 social media ban for a second time, and Publicis’ CEO ruling out launching a rival for The Trade Desk.
MadTech Daily: Netflix Refocuses on Ads and Content After Warner Bid; IAB Sets AI Commerce Media Guidelines; WPP in Talks to Sell Burson
On today’s MadTech Daily we cover investor expectations for Netflix after its Warner bid, the IAB unveiling guidelines for AI-driven commerce media, and WPP reportedly launching talks to sell Burson, its PR arm
MadTech Daily: Meta to Overtake Google in Ad Revenue; Publicis Marks 20th Growth Quarter; Freely Launches FAST ‘Spotlight Channels’
On today’s MadTech Daily we cover Meta set to overtake Google in ad revenue for the first time, Publicis marking its 20th consecutive growth quarter despite momentum slowing, and Freely launching FAST ‘Spotlight Channels’.
MadTech Daily: Ad Companies in Boycott Settlement Talks with FTC; Court Orders Meta to Face Youth Addiction Suit; YouTube to Raise Premium Prices
Today's MadTech Daily looks at the FTC moving toward a settlement in an ad boycott investigation, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ordering Meta to face a youth addiction lawsuit, and YouTube raising Premium prices.
MadTech Daily: OpenAI Lowers Minimum Spend for Ads Pilot; Meta Pulls Ads for Addiction Lawsuits; YouTube Tests 90-Second Unskippable Ads Amid CTV Push
On today’s MadTech Daily we cover OpenAI launching its Ads Manager and lowering the minimum spend for its ads pilot, Meta removing ads recruiting plaintiffs in social media addiction lawsuits amid rising legal pressure, and YouTube's 90-second unskippable ads amid a CTV push.
ExchangeWire on OpenAI Acquiring TBPN, Agentic AI in Publishing, and Netflix Price Hikes
In this episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell Tarín is joined by CEO Rachel Smith and head of content, John Still. They look into OpenAI's foray into media ownership, an AI-publishing crossover, and the streaming market.
The first story this week is OpenAI's acquisition of the tech and business talk show, Technology Business Programming Network. The team discuss what this says about OpenAI's strategy, and what it means for TBPN. The second covers CNN International Commercial’s move into agentic infrastructure, and the opportunities and pitfalls of agentic transactions. Finally, a court in Rom...
MadTech Daily: Tubi Pioneers ChatGPT Native App Launch; Microsoft and Publicis Deepen Agentic AI Partnership
Today’s MadTech Daily covers Tubi pioneering a ChatGPT-native app launch, Microsoft and Publicis deepening their partnership on agentic marketing, and Paramount debuting a publishing arm amid the exit of a president.
MadTech Daily: The Trade Desk CMO and Execs Exit in Shake-Up; BBC Studios Launches Airline Streaming; Tesco Media Introduces Premium Video Ads
Today’s MadTech Daily covers a leadership shake-up at The Trade Desk as its CMO and other executives depart, BBC Studios rolling out an airline streaming platform, and Tesco Media pushing into video ads to blend storytelling with shoppable moments.
Happydemics' Baptiste Graffin on Brand Building, Brand Lift, and Performance
In this special episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire CEO Rachel Smith is joined by Baptiste Graffin, VP of sales in APAC for Happydemics, to discuss brand building, brand lift, and performance. Their conversation looks at the importance of brand building beyond performance metrics, scaling and strategy in APAC markets, and data maturity in the region.
Forrester report: Happydemics Brand lift delivered 47% ROI → https://get.happydemics.com/happydemics-total-economic-impact
0:00 Introduction
6:21 What are the key things needed to build and scale a business in APAC?
16:23 How does Happydemics help brands and agencies prove advertising investment?
MadTech Daily: Publicis Acquires 160/90 to Expand Sports Marketing; Universal Music Gets €55bn Takeover Bid; Netflix Launches Kids Gaming App
Today’s MadTech Daily covers Publicis acquiring 160/90 to expand its sports marketing capabilities and Ackman targeting €55bn takeover of Universal Music Group in bid to unlock value. We also look at Netflix launching a kids gaming app while an Italian court rules its price hikes illegal.
MadTech Daily: OpenAI Buys TBPN; CNN Builds Agentic Infrastructure; SpaceX To Mandate Grok in IPO?
On today's MadTech Daily we look at OpenAI's purchase of TBPN, CNN developing its own agentic infrastructure in preparation for AI-driven media transactions, and Elon Musk's alleged attempts to make banks associated with the SpaceX IPO subscribe to Grok.
MadTech Mailbag: ExchangeWire on Targeting, LLM Visibility, and Agentic Buying
How can the ad tech industry create impact without precision targeting? What is the credibility of LLM visibility tools, and what are the barriers and accuracy of data? How likely is agent-to-agent buying in the future?
In this mailbag episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell Tarín is joined by CEO Rachel Smith and COO Lindsay Rowntree to answer our listeners’ biggest questions about ad tech and media. They discuss the need to prove advertising value, the rise of generative engine optimisation, and how SSPs and DSPs are adapting for an AI agent-led environment.
<...MadTech Daily: UK Social Media Use Falls as Video Apps Rise; Australia Ad Spend Falls 3% YTD as Nine Olympics Boosts Streaming 22.5%
On today’s MadTech Daily we cover UK social media use falling as video apps rise, ad spend in Australia dropping 3% year-to-date despite a 22.5% streaming boost from the Nine Olympics, and WPP Media launching ‘YouTube 5K’.
MadTech Daily: OpenAI's $122bn Funding Round; Anthropic to Sign Australia AI Safety Deal; Musk to Face Class Action Over Twitter Stake Disclosure Delay
Today’s MadTech Daily covers OpenAI raising USD$3bn from retail investors in a USD$122bn funding round, Anthropic set to sign a deal with Australia on AI safety and economic data tracking, as well as Elon Musk being ordered to face a class action lawsuit over the late disclosure of his Twitter stake.
MadTech Daily: Meta, TikTok, and Google Under Investigation for Failure to Comply with Australia’s Social Media Ban; California Defies Trump on AI Demands
Today’s MadTech Daily covers Australia’s eSafety Commission warning of ‘major gaps’ in the enforcement of the country’s under-16 social media ban, California defying Trump’s demands on AI with the introduction of a new executive order, and Disney+ striking its latest European deal with Italy’s Rai.
MadTech Daily: Claude Doubles Paid Users; Changes to Ad Production Could Cut Emissions by a Third; WBD Sets Date for Paramount–Skydance Vote
Today’s MadTech Daily covers Claude’s paid user growth surging, AdGreen’s findings on how changes to advertising production could slash emissions by nearly a third while generating huge financial savings, and WBD setting a date next month for shareholders to vote on a $111bn Paramount–Skydance takeover.
MadTech Daily: OpenAI Extends Ad Pilot Beyond April; X Ad Boycott Lawsuit Dismissed by US Judge; Disney+ Seals RTVE Fast-Stream Deal
On today’s MadTech Daily we look at OpenAI extending its ad pilot as it tests a global rollout of sponsored ChatGPT responses, Elon Musk’s X ad boycott being dismissed by a US Judge, and Disney+ striking a landmark next-day streaming deal with RTVE.
dentsu's Zac Selby on Measurement Standards, Google's AI Landing Pages, and Apple Maps Ads
In this episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire COO Lindsay Rowntree is joined by CEO Rachel Smith and Zac Selby, SVP of global solutions for data & technology at dentsu.
They look at IAB Australia’s 'Future of Measurement' initiative, Google securing a patent for AI-generated landing pages, and Apple introducing advertisements in Apple Maps.
0:00 Introduction
1:20 IAB Australia launches new initiative
12:51 Google patents right to replace landing pages
27:34 Apple to introduce ads in Maps
MadTech Daily: Jury Finds Meta & YouTube Liable for Harming Young Users; Judge Dismisses Publishers’ Google Monopoly Claim
On today’s MadTech Daily, a jury finds Meta and YouTube liable for harming young users, a judge dismisses publishers’ Google monopoly claim, and the UK government is accused of shifting goalposts regarding the LHF ad ban.
MadTech Daily: TikTok Ads to Get More Disruptive; OpenAI Shuts Down Sora; Anthropic Faces the Pentagon in Court
Today’s MadTech Daily covers TikTok introducing three new ad formats, OpenAI dropping its partnership with Disney as it decides to close Sora, and Anthropic battling it out in court against the Pentagon over its AI model ban.
MadTech Daily: OpenAI Hires Former Meta Ads Leader; Apple Plans Ads in Maps; X Considers $200k Incentive for Advertisers
Today’s MadTech Daily covers OpenAI hiring a Meta ad veteran to build its ads business, Apple planning to introduce ads in Maps, and X considering a new method to win back advertisers.
MadTech Daily: ChatGPT’s Slow Ad Rollout Frustrates Partners; Musk Liable in Twitter Fraud Case
Today’s MadTech Daily covers ChatGPT’s slow rollout of ads frustrating partners, Musk being found liable in a $44bn fraud case related to Twitter, and broadcasters pushing for tougher smart TV rules across Europe.
MadTech Daily: Meta Reduces Reliance on Third-Party Vendors for Content Moderation in Favour of AI; Walmart Secures Patents for Algorithmic Pricing
Today’s MadTech Daily covers Meta announcing reduced reliance on third-party vendors as it expands its AI tools, Walmart securing two new patents for algorithmic pricing, and OpenAI planning a desktop superapp.
MadTech Daily: UK Gov U-Turns on AI Copyright; IAB Australia Launches Measurement Initiative
On today’s MadTech Daily we discuss the UK government U-turning on their AI copyright plans, IAB Australia launching a measurement initiative, and Britannica suing OpenAI over AI training.
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 Introduction
1:32 Challenges of data activation
19:54 Data collection & channel selection
30:57 Connecting different specialists
40:34 The next 3 years
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 publishing, advertising in AI, and social media restrictions for under-16s.
0:00 Introduction
1:06 Axel Springer acquires the Telegraph
11:31 ChatGPT's ads trial
28:29 UK trials social m...
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.
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.
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.
