The MadTech Podcast
MadTech Daily: WPP Strikes $400m AI Deal with Google; Spotify Partners with Netflix on Video Podcasts; Google Offers Search Fix as EU Fine Looms

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover WPP striking a USD$400m AI deal with Google, Spotify partnering with Netflix on video podcasts, and Google offering search fixes as an EU fine looms.
MadTech Daily: Publicis Lifts Forecast Again as AI Fuels Growth; California Moves to Govern AI Chatbots; EU Strikes Compromise on Sustainability Reporting

In today’s Digest, we cover Publicis raising its forecast again as AI fuels growth, California moving to govern AI chatbots, and the EU striking a compromise on sustainability reporting.
MadTech Daily: Nine, Paramount-Ten in Talks on Ad Sales Merger; Perplexity Halts Ad Signups; EU Reviews Kids’ Safety on Major Platforms

In today’s Digest, Nine and Paramount-Ten’s ad sales merger talks, Perplexity’s decision to pause new ad sign-ups, and the European Commission’s review of child safety on major platforms as UK MPs call to probe job cuts to TikTok’s content moderation team.
MadTech Daily: CMA Designates Google Strategic Market Status in Search; India Pilots AI Chatbot E-Commerce; Reddit Poaches WPP Media’s North America CEO

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover the CMA designating Google strategic market status in search, India piloting AI chatbot-led e-commerce, and Reddit making a major Madison Avenue hire.
AI Special with Joris Knetsch of Prose on Pixels: OpenAI’s Sora, DeepSeek, and China’s AI Labelling Law

In this MadTech Podcast AI special, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell TarĂn and COO Lindsay Rowntree are joined by Joris Knetsch, EVP at Prose on Pixels, APAC.
They discuss the opt-out model in OpenAI's video generation platform, Sora, US concerns about Chinese DeepSeek models, and regulations in China's AI landscape.
The conversation dives into IP and content rights, notions of privacy and accuracy in Asia and the West, and authentic versus synthetic content.
MadTech Daily: ITV Launches GenAI Ads Manager; UK Ad Regulator Trials AI Monitoring; NYC Sues Social Media Firms for Addicting Kids

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss ITV launching its GenAI Ads Manager, the UK ad regulator trialling AI monitoring, and New York City suing social media firms for allegedly addicting kids.
MadTech Daily: IAB Europe Opens Comment on New Commerce and Retail Media Standards; Ooh Media Unveils Metro Tunnel Ad Network; California Bans Loud Streaming Ads

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss IAB Europe opening public comment on new retail media standards, Ooh media unveiling its Metro Tunnel ad network, and California banning loud streaming ads.
MadTech Daily: Google’s Ad Tech Trial Nears Judge’s Decision; Amex and Duolingo Launch Ad Platforms; Mozilla Partners with Index Exchange

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Google’s ad tech trial nearing a judge’s decision, Amex and Duolingo launching ad platforms, and Mozilla partnering with Index Exchange.
MadTech Daily: EU Rolls Out AI Strategy; OpenAI Gives Content Owners More Control on Sora; Instagram Tests New Layout

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss the EU rolling out an AI strategy to reduce foreign reliance, OpenAI giving content owners more control on Sora, and Instagram testing an iPad-style layout.
MadTech Daily: Dutch Court Orders Meta to Abandon Profiling; Spotify Joins Amazon DSP; NBCUniversal & YouTube TV Ink Deal

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss a Dutch court ordering Meta to provide the users of its platforms with timelines that don’t rely on profiling , Spotify joining Amazon DSP, and NBCUniversal andYouTube TV inking a deal to add Peacock and sports.
ExchangeWire on the FTC, OpenAI's Big Week and Spotify Vs AI

In this episode of the MadTech podcast, ExchangeWire head of marketing Grainne Reid is joined by co-founder & advisor Ciaran O'Kane and head of content John Still.
They discuss the FTC's finalised ad rules for the Omnicon-IPG acquisition, OpenAI's ad tech growth, and Spotify's new policies to tackle the misuse of AI.
MadTech Daily: Meta to Personalise Ads with Chatbot Data; OpenAI Plans Social Platform

Today's MadTech Daily looks at Meta planning to use conversations people have with its chatbots to personalise ads on its platforms, OpenAI's plans to enter the social space, and a new order issued by the UK government for Apple's user data.Â
MadTech Daily: Spotify CEO Exit Brings Dual Leadership; Epic Says Apple’s Install Changes Slash Drop-Offs; The Trade Desk Overhauls Digital Ad Data Marketplace

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Spotify’s CEO exit bringing dual leadership, Epic saying Apple’s install changes slash drop-offs, and The Trade Desk overhauling its digital ad data marketplace.
MadTech Daily: OpenAI Rolls Out Instant Checkout; $20bn Media Network Launched by Havas & Horizon; Google Settles Trump Ban for $24.5m

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover OpenAI rolling out Instant Checkout and Sora requiring a copyright opt-out. We also discuss Google settling the Trump Jan. 6 ban case for USD$24.5m and Havas and Horizon launching a USD$20bn media network.
MadTech Daily: Electronic Arts Closes Largest Buyout Ever; FTC Finalises Omnicom–IPG Order With Ad Rules; Anthropic to Triple Global Staff as AI Demand Surges

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover a record-breaking deal closed by Electronic Arts, the FTC giving final approval to the Omnicom–IPG deal on the condition of certain ad rules as well as Anthropic tripling its global staff as AI demand surges.
MadTech Daily: Meta Launches UK Ad-Free Subscription; Trump Signs TikTok Transfer to US Owners

Today, we look at Meta launching a UK ad-free subscription, Trump signing TikTok’s transfer to US owners, and OpenAI planning an in-house ad tech build.
Dentsu's Ellie McDonough on TikTok, AI Search and the TV Industry

In this episode of the MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire head of marketing Grainne Reid is joined by CEO Rachel Smith and Ellie McDonough, programmatic director at Dentsu.Â
They discuss how TikTok's US business could be impacted by investment from the Murdochs, how AI search is harming publishers, and UK broadcasters rejecting the idea that they should partner in order to take on the streaming giants.Â
(Since this podcast was recorded, Trump has signed an executive order stating the terms of a deal to transfer TikTok's US business to a US owner. Rupert Murdoch's investment has also been co...
MadTech Daily: Apple Opposes EU Rules; Google takes Epic Ruling to Supreme Court; Microsoft Partners with OpenAI Rival

In today's MadTech Daily, Dot discusses Apple opposing the EU's regulations, Google taking its Epic case ruling to the Supreme Court, and Microsoft partnering with OpenAI rival, Anthropic.Â
MadTech Daily: Novacap to Acquire IAS for $1.9bn; Microsoft Prepares to Launch Publisher Content Marketplace

Today's MadTech Daily covers Novacap acquiring IAS for USD$1.9bn, Microsoft plotting an AI marketplace for publishers, and LinkedIn training AI on member profiles. It also discusses Canadian watchdogs concluding TikTok fails on child data protection.Â
MadTech Daily: Double-Digit Growth Ahead for Digital Ad spend; Alibaba Unveils Multimodal AI; eBay Moves to Buy Tise

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss double-digit growth ahead for digital adspend, Alibaba unveiling a multimodal AI, and eBay moving to buy Tise.Â
MadTech Daily: Murdochs Tipped for TikTok Deal; Ad Giants Shift Climate Stance; Google’s Ad Tech Monopoly Trial Kicks Off

In today’s Madtech Daily, we discuss the Murdochs being tipped for the TikTok deal, ad giants shifting their climate stance, Google’s ad tech monopoly trial kicking off, and Amazon facing a jury over Prime sign-ups.
MadTech Daily: Google Adds Gemini to Chrome as AI Search Threatens Survival of Independent Publishers; UK Broadcaster Bosses Dismiss Merger Speculation

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss Google adding Gemini to Chrome and striking a multi-year AI partnership with PayPal, AI search threatening the survival of independent publishers, and UK broadcaster bosses dismissing merger speculation.
FirstPartyCapital’s Rich Ashton on Amazon and Google Misleading Advertisers, Amazon Joining Forces with Netflix, and the Latest Ad Tech M&A

In this MadTech Podcast episode, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell TarĂn is joined by head of content John Still, and Rich Ashton, managing partner at FirstPartyCapital.Â
They look at the US Federal Trade Commission launching an investigation into whether Amazon and Google misled advertisers, and a new partnership which will bring Netflix’s premium ad inventory to Amazon’s DSP, Amazon Ads.Â
They also discuss the latest M&A activity in the ad tech scene, including Bending Spoons’ acquisition of Vimeo, and Vitruvian Partners buying a majority sake in healthcare DSP DeepIntent.Â
MadTech Daily: Verve Group Acquires Captify; Meta Seeks AI Content Deals with Media Firms; China Drops its Google Antitrust Case

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss Verve Group acquiring Captify, Meta Seeking AI content deals with media firms, and China dropping its Google antitrust case.
MadTech Daily: Trump Hails TikTok Deal; Amazon Expands Ad Integration with SiriusXM

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Trump hailing a deal with TikTok as China pushes algorithm use, Amazon expanding ad integration with SiriusXM, and the UK and US sealing a $42bn tech pact.
MadTech Daily: Magnite Sues Google; Google to Invest £5bn in UK AI; Australia Won’t Implement Accuracy Threshold for Social Ban Age-Check Tech

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Magnite suing Google, Google investing £5bn in the UK’s AI sector, and the Australian government guiding platforms on the under-16 social media ban
MadTech Daily: FTC Targets Google & Amazon Over Search Ads; Penske Media Hits Google With AI Suit

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss the FTC targeting Google and Amazon over search ads, Penske Media hitting Google with an AI suit, and a court denying Google’s request to halt Epic Play Store changes.
MadTech Daily: Paramount-Skydance Plans Warner Bros. Discovery Bid; FTC Investigates AI Chatbots, France Eyes TikTok Inquiry

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss Paramount-Skydance planning a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, the FTC investigating AI chatbots and France eyeing a TikTok inquiry. We also cover Microsoft endorsing OpenAI’s for-profit move.
ExchangeWire on Google’s EU Fine and PubMatic Lawsuit plus ATS London 2025 Highlights

In this team episode of the MadTech Podcast, head of marketing Grainne Reid is joined by COO Lindsay Rowntree, head of content John Still, and research lead Mat Broughton.Â
They discuss the latest news surrounding Google, including its €2.95bn (ÂŁ2.55bn) fine from the EU and the lawsuit brought against it this week by PubMatic. They also discuss highlights from this year’s ATS London, which took place on Tuesday.Â
MadTech Daily: Netflix and Amazon Team Up for CTV; UK Ad-Funded SVOD Reach Triples; Meta Adds Alerts to Community Notes

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Netflix and Amazon teaming up to boost CTV ads, UK ad-funded SVOD reach tripling, and Meta adding more features to Community Notes.
MadTech Daily: Minute Media Buys VideoVerse; Europe Mulls Under-16 Social Media Ban as Meta Faces Claims of Burying Child Safety Research

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Netflix and Amazon teaming up to boost CTV ads, UK ad-funded SVOD reach tripling, and Meta adding alerts to Community Notes fact checks.
MadTech Daily: PubMatic Sues Google over Monopoly; Magnite Acquires streamr.ai

In today’s MadTech Daily, Dot discusses PubMatic suing Google over its advertising monopoly, Magnite acquiring streamr.ai, and YouTube breaking its live-stream record with an NFL game.Â
MadTech Daily: Google Hit With €2.95bn EU Fine; AI Under Fire

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss Google being hit with €2.95bn EU fine, Anthropic’s class action payout, and Midjourney’s DC image lawsuit. We also discuss Roblox adding a video feed, AI tools, and tightening age checks.
Kathryn Bean of Miroma Founders Network on How Advertisers can use TV Fragmentation to their Advantage

In this MadTech Podcast special episode, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell TarĂn is joined by Kathryn Bean, media planning lead at Miroma Founders Network, to discuss TV fragmentation.
Bean will be on a panel at ATS London on Tuesday 9th September discussing the topic further. You're still in time to register for the event here, if you want to catch the discussion.Â
In this podcast episode, Bean expands on:Â
- The current fragmentation of the TV landscapeÂ
- The biggest challenges advertisers are facing when it comes to fragmentationÂ
- How advertisers can use f...
MadTech Daily: Arc Browser Maker to Be Acquired; Apple Prepares Siri Search Tool

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss the Arc browser maker being acquired, Apple preparing a Siri search tool, OpenAI launching an AI hiring platform, and smartphones pushing streaming past linear TV in Germany.
ExchangeWire on Google Dodging Divestiture and a Preview of ATS London 2025

In this team episode of the MadTech Podcast, editor Aimee Newell TarĂn is joined by CEO Rachel Smith, and research lead Mat Broughton.Â
They discuss the latest news from this week surrounding Google's antitrust search case, looking at whether the changes the tech giant has been forced to implement will have a significant impact on the ad tech ecosystem, and whether we can still expect a breakup of Google in its ad tech monopoly case.Â
They also look ahead to ATS London next week, revealing what they're most excited about and what will be new at...
MadTech Daily: Google Faces More Fines; Europe Backs US-EU Data Deal

In today’s Madtech Daily, we cover Google facing a USD$425m privacy payout and a USD$381m fine in France over consumer failures, Europe backing a US-EU data deal, as well as Amazon finalising its acquisition of Axio.Â
MadTech Daily: Google Avoids Chrome Sell-Off; Disney to Pay $10M to Settle FTC Kids’ Privacy Case; Singapore Warns Meta to Curb Scams

In today’s Madtech Daily, we cover Google avoiding the sell-off of Chrome in its search antitrust trial, Disney agreeing to pay $10m to settle the FTC kids’ privacy case, and Singapore warning Meta to curb scams or face a fine.
MadTech Daily: Empower Acquires Ocean Media; TV Networks Rally to Scrap Broadcast Tax

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Empower acquiring Ocean Media, TV Networks rallying in Canberra to scrap broadcast tax, and China enforcing mandatory AI content labelling.Â
MadTech Daily: Meta’s AI Shake-Up; Australia’s Social Media Ban for Kids Presents Risks

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss Meta’s AI shake-up as leaders weigh up Google and OpenAI models amid new hires, Australia’s social media ban for kids presenting risks, and Publicis Groupe Australia launching Influential agency.