Performance Marketing Unlocked

The first quarter of 2026 has come to an end. It was full of expectation, innovation and cautious optimism – but how did it really play out?On this episode of the Performance Marketing Unlocked podcast, host Joe is joined by PMW's Editor Robin Langford to discuss the factors, events and trading conditions that have marked the opening quarter of the year, diving into the state of play as we begin Q2 by addressing everything from business confidence and investment opportunities to new in-demand skills among marketers and everything in between. Also, the pair provide an update on OpenAI's ChatGPT Ads pilot, which has made headlines for a consecutive week. Despite murky early returns, OpenAI has announced an expansion of the pilot to new regions and an extension to its original timeline – but will the gamble pay off?This podcast was hosted by PMW's Deputy Editor, Joseph Arthur.~ Episode breakdown ~ (2:04) How has Q1 played out across adland?(10:12) OpenAI expands and extends its ChatGPT Ads pilot(19:10) Specificity is LLMs' superpower ~ Further reading ~ 'The horse is definitely cantering!': 81% of UK performance agencies report upbeat start to 2026Is the ChatGPT honeymoon over? 59% of UK performance agencies embedding bespoke AI in their work‘The war could change business confidence’: UK marketing sentiment plummets 30% in a monthTop 4 agency 'hiring headaches': Analytics skills top shortage list

'Big Six' holding companies appears to be quickly losing faith The Trade Desk (TTD). Publicis is no longer recommending the demand side platform to its clients, Dentsu and WPP abandoned Openpath and Omnicom has reportedly commissioned an audit of its relationship with the company – but why?On this episode of the Performance Marketing Unlocked podcast, PMW's Senior News Reporter Bethany Lee joins host Joe to discuss what these changes mean for the broader programmatic landscape and whether or not operating in the open web puts a ceiling on a company's success. Also, the pair discuss ChatGPT Ads' ongoing advertising trial. Early returns are in and measurement appears to be the biggest hurdle for advertisers, but what do consumers think of the new format – and does it matter? This podcast was hosted by PMW's Deputy Editor, Joseph Arthur.~ Episode breakdown ~ (2:36) What next for the open web?(10:01) Is ChatGPT playing measurement catch-up?(20:10) Why ads in ChatGPT has to work for OpenAI~ Further reading ~ Omnicom commissions audit of The Trade DeskWhy are holdcos turning on The Trade Desk?‘We have a responsibility to our clients’: Publicis explains The Trade Desk pull back‘It is a paid beta test’: Has ChatGPT Ads jumped the gun?‘Still finding its feet’: Underwhelming early returns for ChatGPT Ads

The advertising industry can't decide how to best optimise the media mix for modern channels and metrics such as AI-powered search and retail media.On this episode of the Performance Marketing Unlocked podcast, Dom Coleridge, Co-founder and Commercial Director of Scale Digital, joins host Joe to argue why quality always beats quantity in the world of marketing. Across content, media, partnerships and channels, Dom believes that investing in premium solutions will always be the best way to ensure long-term, future-proofed performance.This podcast was hosted by PMW's Deputy Editor, Joseph Arthur.~ Episode breakdown ~ (2:00) Are premium solutions worth the cost?(15:52) How much of a sticking point is trust?(27:58) PMW's Resell Me a Pen Challenge~ Further reading ~ Airbnb claims AI search has higher conversion than Google – but does adland agree?‘We are still only at the tip of the AI iceberg’: Adland’s 2026 predictionsIPA Bellwether: ‘Much of today’s AI investment is being wasted’

The click era is over, prompts will soon equal profit, and creative is now a pivotal part of performance. These are just a snapshot of the takeaways from Performance Marketing World Unlocked 2026. One this episode of the Performance Marketing Unlocked podcast, PMW's editorial team is in the studio to talk all things PMW Unlocked 2026. With the annual confex now in the rear view, the trio discuss the biggest talking points, lessons learned, surprises and highlights from across two packed out days at London's Business Design Centre. This podcast was hosted by PMW's Deputy Editor, Joseph Arthur.~ Episode breakdown ~ (3:54) Which sessions won the team over?(13:05) The key themes from PMW Unlocked 2026(18:11) What were the biggest surprises from the event?~ Further reading ~ A visitor’s guide to PMW Unlocked 2026: From Candy Kittens to the confessional boothEverything advertisers are ignoring (but shouldn't be) in 2026Jamie Laing, Grace Miller and Jon Evans to speak at PMW Unlocked 2026

LinkedIn is the second most cited domain among large-langauge-models (LLMs). As such, is has become a hub of content discovery and advertising opportunities.On this episode of the Performance Marketing Unlocked podcast, Andrew Monu, VP of Marketing at LinkedIn, joins host Joe to reveal how the social media platform manages to stay ahead of the ever-changing AI-powered algorithms. From using social to build trust, leverage search and implement new advertising formats, Andrew offers a blueprint for B2B marketers to thrive in the new era of digital marketing. This podcast was hosted by PMW's Deputy Editor, Joseph Arthur.~ Episode breakdown ~ (2:04) How is LinkedIn staying ahead of LLMs?(12:20) Dark social and building communities(20:26) PMW's Resell Me a Pen Challenge~ Further reading ~ PMW’s New Year’s Resolutions: marketing experts on the future of search, data, and privacy‘The first 20% of your text is the most important’: Research reveals how to get cited by AI‘Brands will simply have to work harder for attention’: How a social media crackdown could impact marketers

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to introduce increased social media regulations to protect the wellbeing of vulnerable people, particularly children. It stands to dramatically impact the advertising industry, shifting brand's access to particular audiences across social media formats.On this episode of the Performance Marketing Unlocked podcast, PMW's Senior News Reporter Bethany Lee joins host Joe for a whistle-stop tour of the biggest headlines from across the industry over the past fortnight.The pair touch on social media's future as an advertising channel, whether or not ads belong in large-language-models (LLMs), and if consumers are becoming fed-up with 'intrusive' new formats.This podcast was hosted by PMW's Deputy Editor, Joseph Arthur.~ Episode breakdown ~ (2:15) Are we going to see a social media ban for under-16s in the UK?(11:18) Will people trust LLMs if they have ads?(19:28) Are consumers fed up with new ad formats?~ Further reading ~ ‘Brands will simply have to work harder for attention’: How a social media crackdown could impact marketersPerplexity pulls the plug on ads, citing trust concerns for AITwo-thirds of Six Nations fans reject ‘annoying’ in-game ads

AI systems are now allocating budget and optimising media in real time. The operational heavy lifting of performance marketing is increasingly automated. And that changes the economics.If execution no longer depends on constant, hands-on optimisation, does performance naturally move closer to the business? Could this be the moment in-housing finally accelerates? And if it does, where does that leave agencies?To unpack it all, PMW deputy editor Joseph Arthur sits down with Drew Smith, co-founder and chief product officer at Upp.ai, and Steve Warrington, senior vice president of client and industry engagement.This episode of The Performance Marketing Unlocked podcast is sponsored by Upp.ai

The advertising industry loves to talk, and yet, some of the most important topics within the space are often ignored.On this episode of the Performance Marketing Unlocked podcast, four marketing experts come together to put the spotlight on several topics they don't think are getting the attention they deserve. Hosted by Paul Evans, founder of V2RSION, with Tony Miller, Interim CMO of Direct Line Group, Supriya Dev-Purkayastha, founder of Connect Growth and Emily Roberts, Head of Digital at Responsible Marketing Advisory, the group touch on accessible advertising, inclusivity in marketing, how to avoid short-terminism and why performance marketing shouldn't be retired. To hear more from our panel of experts, each of them will be in attendance and on stage at PMW Unlocked, our annual confex at the Business Design Centre in London, taking place on the 3rd and 4th of March. Limited delegate tickets are still available here: https://www.performancemarketingunlocked.com/book-your-place~ Episode breakdown ~ (2:38) Don't discount disabilities (13:30) Inclusivity is the essence of performance marketing (30:50) Short-terminism is just papering over the cracks(40:22) Performance marketing still belongs ~ Further reading ~ Jamie Laing, Grace Miller and Jon Evans to speak at PMW Unlocked 2026

Super Bowl LX may have failed to deliver the sporting spectacle that many fans were hoping for, but the annual Super Bowl ads certainly got people talking – particularly those framed around AI.On this episode of the Performance Marketing Unlocked podcast, PMW's new Senior News Reporter Bethany Lee joins host Joe to unpack the key themes from this year's batch of ads, turning to a litany of data detailing the early advertising winners and losers. Together, the pair discuss whether or not celebrity still matters, if animals are the ultimate recipe for success and crucially, why marketers seem so determined to lean on AI despite its lack of popularity among consumers.This podcast was hosted by PMW's Deputy Editor, Joseph Arthur.~ Episode breakdown ~ (2:04) Did Super Bowl LX's ads deliver?(14:46) Where did brands go wrong?(17:20) Anthropic versus the LLM world~ Further reading ~ Super Bowl LX review: AI flops on the big stageTop 10 Super Bowl ads – according to consumersPMW’s top 3 Super Bowl ads to watch before SundaySuper Bowl LX: PMW’s pre-game (advertising) run-down