IAB UK is the industry body for digital advertising, committed to building a sustainable future for digital advertising. We do this by bringing the industry together through our 1,200 members - including media owners, agencies, ad tech and brands - to tackle and address the big issues, celebrate digital and help businesses prepare for the future. Hosted by Chief Strategy Officer, James Chandler, The IAB UK Podcast is released weekly and features interviews with guests, the latest trends and insightful thought leadership. Find out more about the IAB at iabuk.com
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IAB UK is the industry body for digital advertising, committed to building a sustainable future for digital advertising. We do this by bringing the industry together through our 1,200 members - including media owners, agencies, ad tech and brands - to tackle and address the big issues, celebrate digital and help businesses prepare for the future. Hosted by Chief Strategy Officer, James Chandler, The IAB UK Podcast is released weekly and features interviews with guests, the latest trends and insightful thought leadership. Find out more about the IAB at iabuk.com
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As signal loss scrambles the digital ecosystem, data curation is stepping in to restore clarity and control. Recorded live at IAB UK’s October Last Thursday Club, this episode explores how smart curation can help advertisers navigate a post-cookie world - unlocking access, improving transparency and driving stronger results.
Hosted by the IAB’s Head of Ad Tech, Chloe Nicholls, this episode features expert insight from Pubmatic's Mark Williams, OpenX's Rowena Taylor and Azerion's George Evans.
Check out all IAB UK's events, including Last Thursday Club events at iabuk.com/events
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In Episode 2 of our special miniseries with YouTube, we turn our focus to the biggest screen in the home - the TV.
Host James Chandler is joined by Dyana Najdi, Managing Director at Google Advertising, and Alex Glover, Managing Director of Programmatic at Brainlabs and co-author of new Unified CTV Whitepaper, 'Unified CTV: The Power of Broadcaster Content'.
Together, they explore how Connected TV has transformed viewing habits, what “Unified CTV” means for advertisers navigating fragmented platforms, and how smarter planning can reduce wasted impressions and reach real audiences.
It’s a must-listen for marketers looking to make sense of the evolving TV+ landscape and discover how brands can build truly connected campaigns.
Listen, comment, and subscribe, and head over to the IAB UK YouTube channel to watch this episode in full.
Read the Brainlabs and YouTube whitepaper here: https://www.brainlabsdigital.com/future-of-ctv-advertising/
Sources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52376022
https://www.endersanalysis.com/reports/viewing-trends-2024-broadcasters-decline-slows
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This week on The IAB UK Podcast, James kicks off a special two-part miniseries in partnership with YouTube. In Episode 1, he’s joined by Roya Zeitoune, YouTube’s Head of Culture & Trends for EMEA, to explore how YouTube went from a simple clip of “Me at the zoo” to becoming a global cultural phenomenon.
They unpack how creators have reshaped entertainment, music and sport; discuss what brands can learn from authentic creator collaborations; and explore the latest YouTube tools helping marketers stay culturally connected
Twenty years on, YouTube sits at the epicentre of culture and the lessons for brands have never been clearer.
Listen, comment, and subscribe to make sure you don't miss Episode 2 of this IAB UK Podcast x YouTube miniseries.
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Sources:
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We wrap up our week of Superfront specials with Nectar360. James Chandler is joined by Tom Priestman, Director of Client Services, to talk about the rapid rise of retail media and how Nectar360 is putting customers at the heart of their approach. From leveraging Sainsbury’s and Argos data to unlocking shopper insights, Tom explains how Nectar360 helps brands connect with audiences in smarter and more effective ways.
This episode gives a preview of what to expect at Nectar360’s Upfront session at Media Upfronts, 14-15 October, where retail media, data-driven strategies and customer obsession will take centre stage.
🎟️ See Nectar360 – and all our Superfront partners – at Media Upfronts. Book your ticket today at iabuk.com/upfronts
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On day four of our special Superfront series, James Chandler is joined by Bauer Media's George Butler. With household names spanning radio, publishing and digital, Bauer Media is home to some of the UK’s most influential media brands. In this episode, George gives us a taste of what Bauer will showcase at their Upfront – from the power of audio to the importance of trusted environments and engaging storytelling.
The conversation highlights how Bauer continues to innovate across platforms, and why their content and audiences remain so valuable for advertisers looking to build meaningful connections.
🎟️ Don’t miss Bauer’s session at Media Upfronts 14-15 October at Protein Studios in Shoreditch – secure your place at iabuk.com/upfronts
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Halfway through our Superfront partner series, James Chandler sits down with Lena Arbery, Director of Destinations, Travel and Growth, EMEA at Tripadvisor – the world’s most trusted travel guidance platform. They discuss how Tripadvisor helps millions of people plan, book and dream about their next adventure, and what that means for advertisers looking to connect with audiences at key decision-making moments.
From evolving traveller behaviour to new opportunities for brands to inspire and engage, Lena previews what Tripadvisor will bring to their Media Upfront session (taking place 14-15 October at Protein Studios in Shoreditch) and why retail, travel and lifestyle marketers should be paying close attention.
🎟️ Join Tripadvisor and all our partners at Media Upfronts – book now at iabuk.com/upfronts
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In episode two of our Media Upfronts Superfront spotlight series, James Chandler is joined by Josh Partridge, VP & Managing Director, EMEA Sales at Spotify. Together, they dive into how Spotify continues to connect brands with audiences through the power of audio and culture. From innovative formats to data-driven storytelling, Josh explains what makes Spotify unique in helping advertisers tune into the moments that matter most to listeners.
With IAB Media Upfronts taking place 14-15 October at Protein Studios in Shoreditch, Josh also shares how Spotify is thinking about the future of digital audio, creativity and brand building on the world’s biggest music and podcast streaming platform.
🎟️ Be there for Spotify’s Upfront at Media Upfronts – get your ticket at iabuk.com/upfronts
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Ahead of Media Upfronts, taking place 14-15 October at Protein Studios, we’re kicking off a special week of podcasts with our five Superfronts podcasts, starting today with Global. James Chandler is joined by Tom Streetley, Director of DAX Audio, to explore how audio continues to evolve as a powerful medium for advertisers. From brand-new research on the role of mood and mindset, to the launch of Global’s cross-device tool, Tom shares how Global are combining the emotional impact of sound with the precision of digital.
Expect insights on podcasting, radio, music streaming and gaming, plus a glimpse of what makes this year’s Global Upfront a must-see.
🎟️ Don’t miss Global live at Media Upfronts – book your ticket now at iabuk.com/upfronts.
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In this special live episode of the IAB UK Podcast, we bring you into the room at The Last Thursday Club, our monthly networking event, where the focus was Retail and Entertainment: The Next Era of Retail Media.
Live from IAB HQ in Covent Garden, our Retail Media Lead, Liv McCullagh, was joined by Paul Hackwell (Amazon Ads UK), Farah Souhail (TikTok) and Ash White (dentsu) for a lively panel discussion exploring how retail media is evolving from being performance-driven to becoming richer, more engaging, and often more entertaining.
From shifting consumer behaviour and personalisation to brand engagement, measurement and the future of live shopping, this conversation covers it all.
Sign up for future Last Thursday Clubs at iabuk.com/events
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In the fifth and final episode of ‘Futurescape: 2030 & beyond’, we look at how AI and wearable tech are reshaping everything from brand discovery to the way people experience the world around them. By 2030, AI will be embedded in search, shopping and recommendations, while wearables – from smart glasses to biometric clothing – will make interactions frictionless, intuitive and deeply personal.
James Chandler, IAB UK’s Chief Strategy Officer, is joined by Phil Rowley, Head of Futures, OMG UK, and Shruti Dube, UK Country Director, Meta. Together, they discuss why AI should be seen as augmentation, not replacement – an “extension of our brains” that removes friction from daily life – and how advertisers can prepare for a future where discovery may rely on AI agents making decisions on consumers’ behalf.
From conversational interfaces to Ray-Ban Meta glasses generating some of the best-performing ads, they explore why experimentation is key, why trust will be critical when dealing with more intimate data and how AI can free marketers to focus on creativity while machines handle the heavy lifting. Plus, there’s debate on whether wearables will finally cross the adoption tipping point – and what that means for brand storytelling.
Listen now or watch via our YouTube: https://youtu.be/4M-Ot4YoG_o
Explore Futurescape: https://www.iabuk.com/futurescape
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In the fourth episode of ‘Futurescape: 2030 & beyond’, we tackle retail media – the fastest-growing area of digital advertising – and explore why the traditional marketing funnel could be obsolete by 2030. As platforms, publishers and broadcasters evolve into full-service commerce ecosystems, retail media is becoming a “spider diagram” at the centre of planning, blurring the lines between brand building and conversion.
James Chandler, IAB UK’s Chief Strategy Officer, is joined by Claire Trbovic, Group Business Director: Incubation Hub, SMG, and Simon Andrews, Founder & Publisher, FIX Newsletter. They discuss everything from cross-retail measurement to immersive in-store experiences – including why data from the ‘long tail’ of retailers could be the key to future success, how brands can collaborate without losing their distinctiveness and why access to diverse data sets will transform planning.
From digital screens turning supermarkets into experience destinations to the challenges of balancing commercial growth with positive customer experiences, this episode takes you inside the opportunities and growing pains of a retail-first media world. And yes, even cheese gets a mention – as a surprising example of how cross-retail brand visibility could work in practice.
Listen now or watch via our YouTube: https://youtu.be/8Y9UhbJq748
Explore Futurescape: https://www.iabuk.com/futurescape
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In the third episode of ‘Futurescape: 2030 & beyond’, we explore how stereotypes about age are breaking down – and what that means for advertisers by 2030. From festival-loving 40-somethings to Gen Z living at home but splurging on designer handbags, people’s behaviours and priorities are no longer predictable by life stage. And with older audiences redefining ageing, holding more spending power, and expecting brands to act responsibly on issues like sustainability, traditional targeting just doesn’t cut it.
James Chandler, IAB UK’s Chief Strategy Officer, is joined by Lisa Boyles, Head of Go To Market and Media, giffgaff, and Kristie Naha-Biswas, Global Head of Media and Digital Marketing, Karo Healthcare. Together, they discuss why the obsession with youth marketing overlooks where real income potential sits, how five generations will need to co-exist in the workplace and why values-led targeting will be crucial as consumer expectations shift.
From cash-rich Gen Zers selling clothes on Vinted to older consumers expecting brands to promote healthy tech habits, this episode reveals why advertisers need to think beyond demographics – and how planning for 2030 means understanding values, behaviours and need states, not just age.
Listen now or watch via our YouTube: https://youtu.be/u59AKkYXMEM
Explore Futurescape: https://www.iabuk.com/futurescape
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In the second episode of our podcast mini-series ’Futurescape: 2030 & beyond’, we turn our attention to how tapping into communities - large and small - provides advertisers with a powerful way to authentically speak to consumers. It’s already happening, and by 2030, our Futurescape study shows that resonating with micro-communities will sit at the centre of smart planning as Gen Z’s values-led approach gains ground and Gen Alpha’s media habits enter the fray. So, from gaming to social platforms, how is the way people come together, connect and co-create reshaping how advertisers show up, be part of the conversion, and stay relevant?
To explore this, James Chandler, IAB UK’s Chief Strategy Officer, is joined by Sabrina Francis, Strategy Partner at the7stars, and Chris Bailes, EMEA Senior Sales Director at Activision Blizzard Media. Together, they delve into how community dynamics are shifting across digital platforms, what it takes to show up meaningfully, and why brands need to think long-term if they want to build lasting connections. From values-led planning to the rise of fandom marketing, the conversation reveals the power of communities to drive real impact when brands take the time to understand, respect and invest in them.
Listen now or watch via our YouTube: https://youtu.be/1UXYOVYXp2A
Explore Futurescape: https://www.iabuk.com/futurescape
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In the first episode of our new podcast miniseries ‘Futurescape: 2030 & beyond’, we’re tackling a big topic – how content is coming to the fore like never before as the lines between media channels crumble. From TV to news brands, the trend is the same: media owners are diversifying to engage audiences in new ways and planners need to discard channel-led thinking in favour of a content-centric approach. Our Futurescape study – which explores the attitudes, innovations and media shifts that will shape the advertising industry in the lead up to 2030 – unpacks this shift in more detail, concluding that this redefined landscape will require going back to the fundamentals of media to focus on ad formats, quality of content and audience fit, rather than channels or platforms.
Drawing on these findings, James Chandler is joined by Pippa Scaife, Director of Digital Advertising at Sky Media UK, and Lauren Dick, Managing Director of Media & Commerce at Mail Metro Media, to explore why content remains such a powerful force – and how it’s evolving across TV, social, streaming and news platforms. From premium podcast storytelling to video virality, their conversation spans the entire content ecosystem, opportunities for advertisers, and how well-established media owners are embracing change while maintaining their distinctive voices. Plus, the trio share what they’re watching, what makes content cut through and why being on every platform isn’t always the answer.
Listen now or watch via our YouTube: https://youtu.be/PLY8d2xvkMk?si=uRPAYWxv5u9FyUPL
Explore Futurescape: https://www.iabuk.com/futurescape
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Last month, IAB UK’s Policy Team hosted an event at Reach’s printworks in Manchester focused on how digital advertising can further support SMEs and regional journalism around the UK. The occasion brought together MPs, small business owners, local press and IAB members and marked the culmination of a nationwide roadshow of roundtables where we have heard from local leaders about how the digital ecosystem is benefiting communities - and what more can be done to maximise this.
Lucy Powell (MP for Manchester Central and Leader of the House of Commons) and Sarah Lester (Editor of the Manchester Evening News) both spoke at the event and, in this special episode of The IAB UK Podcast, they sit down with Sinead Coogan Jobes (Head of Policy & Public Affairs at IAB UK) to share their thoughts on the role of the regional press in a digital-first landscape, what it has to offer advertisers, and how further growth can be unlocked.
The findings from the IAB’s roadshow and the recommendations we’re making to Government off the back of it are laid out in our latest report ‘Powering Up 2025’, available here: https://www.iabuk.com/news-article/powering-2025-recommendations-help-smes-unlock-power-digital
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Recorded live at IAB UK’s Last Thursday Club, this episode explores how publishers are navigating the new AI-powered media landscape – and where the human touch still matters most.
With insights from Cath Waller (Immediate Media) and George McMahon (UM Worldwide), hosted by IAB UK’s Director of Transformation, Sophia Haynes, the discussion covers everything from AI-assisted editorial tools to why trusted journalism is more essential than ever. Plus, find out how publishers are building stronger consumer relationships, protecting their IP and unlocking smarter content strategies in the age of AI.
Explore more in our Futurescape research: https://www.iabuk.com/futurescape
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Is in-store retail media just DOOH in a new outfit - or is it a distinct space in its own right?
In this week's episode, James Chandler is joined by Layla Soufi (Vistar Media), Simon Lonsdale (Tesco Media) and Roy Shepherd (Goodstuff) to unpack the creative, technical and commercial dynamics behind retail media’s latest frontier: the store itself.
From programmatic pipes to power at-shelf personalisation, they explore where the overlap with digital out-of-home ends, what brands are getting right (and wrong) and how to unlock smarter, more joined-up campaigns in the aisles. Expect punchy perspectives, a few acronyms and a reality check on what in-store screens can really deliver.
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For the first time ever, we recorded a podcast live from Engage – IAB UK’s flagship event. Stationed in the bar area at Soho Place, the IAB’s Charlotte Robinson caught up with speakers fresh off stage and chatted to delegates about their standout moments.
With this year’s theme centred on how content connects, you’ll hear from a brilliant mix of voices, including The Times and Sunday Times' Manveen Rana, Spotify’s Jenny Haggard and TikTok’s Callum Smith, as they reflect on connecting with their audiences, driving creativity and making culturally relevant content.
Whether you joined us on the day or are catching up after the fact, this special episode is your bite-sized guide to the biggest themes and takeaways from Engage 2025. For more, head to https://www.iabuk.com/events-training/engage-2025
Podcast guests:
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