The MadTech Podcast: Ant Hopper, 99ers

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 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 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 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