MadTech Daily: Disney Takes On Bytedance Over AI Video App; Alliance of Independent Agencies Launches Middle East Chapter

On today’s MadTech Daily we look at eBay acquiring Depop for USD$1.2bn, Amazon overtaking Walmart in annual revenue, and Scopely agreeing a $1bn deal for a Turkish game developer.

In our very first mailbag special, ExchangeWire’s head of marketing Grainne Reid is joined by CEO Rachel Smith and John Still, head of content, to answer our listeners’ biggest questions about ad tech and media.The team put on their media planning hats, debating where they would allocate spend across retail & commerce media, CTV, and out-of-home. They also discuss the strengths of independent agencies versus holdcos, and unpack the legal and regulatory battles shaping the industry, from antitrust trials to social media bans.0:00 Introduction1:27 Kerry asks: Media planning14:01 Steve asks: Agencies26:16 Paul asks: Investigations & policy moves

On today’s MadTech Daily we cover Omnicom posting a USD$941m Q4 loss following its IPG deal, WPP launching a new advertising intelligence framework, and YouTube becoming the UK’s leading living-room screen, according to a study.

Today's MadTech Daily covers Perplexity stopping ads to protect AI trust, Havas posting APAC gains in a ‘transformative’ year, and Nvidia landing a multibillion-dollar deal with Meta.

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover Starmer targeting youth social media access, Ireland’s DPC probing X over Grok imagery, and Ad Net Zero’s young leaders making new recommendations. We also look at Warner Bros giving Paramount a final bid deadline

In today’s MadTech Daily, we cover ByteDance scaling back its AI video app following a Disney warning, the Alliance of Independent Agencies launching a Middle East chapter with 23 founding members, and new data showing backlash to Six Nations in-game ads.

Google is facing renewed antitrust scrutiny from EU regulators over its search advertising auctions, as Alibaba’s Qwen app demonstrates massive scale by processing 120 million orders in just six days, and Saudi-backed Savvy Games Group enters talks to acquire Moonton, the gaming studio owned by ByteDance.

How many UK households have a Netflix subscription? What percentage of Meta’s total revenue comes from scam ads? What was the smartphone usage rate in the UAE in 2025?In this quiz edition of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire’s head of marketing Grainne Reid is joined by COO Lindsay Rowntree and John Still, head of content. They look into the changing TV and streaming landscape, tolerances for fraudulent ads (and insects in chocolate), and open web versus mobile advertising.0:00 Introduction1:14 SVOD subscription numbers13:28 Meta scam ads revenue21:15 Smartphone usage rates26:01 MENA focus

In today’s MadTech Daily, we look at the IPA Census 2025 showing staff declines and diversity gains, Amazon eyeing a marketplace for AI content deals, and Spotify profits soaring after raising prices.

In today’s MadTech Daily, we discuss Paramount’s latest attempt to buy WBD; Alphabet planning a 100-year sterling bond sale, Apple and Google proposing App Store changes after a CMA probe