MadTech Daily: TikTok Launches Ad-Free Tier in UK; Byron Allen Buys BuzzFeed; California County Sues Meta Over Scam Ads

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.