MESMDA's Rad Arekat on Social Media & Digital in MENA

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. 

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. 

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.  

*This podcast was recorded before recent events across the Middle East, and as such makes no mention of the geopolitical situation in the region.In this special episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire's head of content, John Still, is joined by Rad Arekat, founder of the Middle East Social Media & Digital Association (MESMDA). They discuss the changes and opportunities in MENA's social media and digital industry, areas of growth and spend, and the vision for the association.

Today’s MadTech Daily covers retail ads dominating on ChatGPT, Walmart announcing the phase-out of Vizio accounts on its TVs, and the Trump Administration drawing up new rules following its clash with Anthropic. 

Today’s MadTech Daily covers Axel Springer acquiring the Telegraph for £575m, Indonesia moving to implement a social media ban for under-16s, and the UK delaying AI copyright rule decisions. 

In this episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire CEO Rachel Smith and COO Lindsay Rowntree join head of marketing, Grainne Reid, to discuss the agentic commerce and streaming landscapes.They look into Meta's new shopping research tool and the conclusion to Netflix and Paramount's months-long battle to acquire Warner Bros Discovery.0:00 Introduction0:55 Meta tests AI shopping tool13:47 Netflix withdraws WBD bid

On today’s MadTech Daily we cover Amazon expanding its audience segments to Netflix, the BBC floating iPlayer as a home for rival broadcasters, and the ITV reporting its latest revenue figures. 

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Amazon eyeing a role in chatbot ad sales, News Corp landing a USD$50m (£37m) AI deal with Meta, and 85% of Europeans using ad-supported streaming.

In today’s Madtech Daily, we cover Meta trialling an AI shopping tool to challenge ChatGPT, Google planning to fill 150 tech roles in Singapore, Gemini, and eBay cutting 800 jobs, 6% of its workforce.