The IAB UK Podcast

In this special season finale, we look back on Season 19 of the IAB UK Podcast, from conversations on agentic AI, retail media and creator marketing to trust, audio innovation, measurement and cruise media.We also revisit some of the season’s standout moments, including recording live from SXSW London and going behind the scenes at Spotify and Snapchat. Plus, we look ahead to Season 20, launching later this year from IAB UK’s brand-new in-house studio, where episodes will be available to watch as well as listen to.

In the second episode of the IAB UK Podcast’s summer sports two-parter, we look at how brands can win the moments that matter during one of the biggest cultural events in the world: the World Cup.Host James Chandler is joined by Andy Baker, Head of Strategy at Footballco, JT Tesfamariam, Content Sales Lead at YouTube, and Emma Newman, Chief Revenue Officer at PubMatic, to explore what it takes for advertisers to stay relevant across a tournament where attention can shift quickly and the conversation extends far beyond the match itself.With the World Cup expanding to 48 teams, a new round of 32, 104 matches and a longer tournament window, the opportunity for brands is bigger, but so is the competition for attention. This episode looks at how advertisers can balance long-term planning with real-time responsiveness, and why the moments around the game, from creator content and watch-alongs to memes, highlights and cultural conversation, are becoming just as important as the live action.Together, the guests discuss how younger audiences are engaging with sport through creators and digital personalities, how non-sponsor brands can still show up meaningfully, and how digital media is opening up new ways to tap into major sporting moments without relying solely on official sponsorship.

In the first episode of our summer sports mini-series, we dive into how major sporting events like the World Cup have evolved into cultural moments that extend far beyond the final whistle.Host James Chandler is joined by Matt Eschert, Head of Industry at Reddit, Imogen Blackwood, Business Director at Publicis Media, and Paul Lowrey, Director of Solutions Marketing & Enablement at GumGum, to explore how fans engage with sport across social platforms, communities, creators and group chats.Together, they discuss why some of the most memorable moments happen away from the action itself, how fandom is becoming more accessible to new audiences, and why participation, conversation and community are increasingly shaping the sports experience.The conversation also looks at how brands are adapting to this changing landscape, from understanding fan sentiment and audience mindset to finding authentic ways to show up during major sporting moments without simply capitalising on them.Whether you're interested in sport, media, culture or advertising, this episode explores what modern fandom looks like and why the biggest opportunities often exist beyond the game itself.

In this episode of the IAB UK Podcast, James Chandler is joined by Jake Thomas, UK General Manager at Snap Inc., to explore how Snapchat has evolved from its early beginnings into a platform that plays a growing role across the entire customer journey.They discuss the biggest misconceptions that still persist about Snapchat, the unique company culture that helps shape decision-making at Snap, and how the platform has adapted alongside its audience over time.Jake also shares his perspective on the future of the marketing funnel, why Snapchat is often underestimated as a performance channel, and how innovations in augmented reality and AI-powered lenses are creating new opportunities for brands to engage audiences in more creative and meaningful ways.From changing audience behaviours to major life milestones and purchase decisions, the conversation explores how brands can show up authentically on Snap and what the platform’s future priorities reveal about the next chapter of digital advertising.

In this episode of the IAB UK Podcast, James Chandler is joined by Anne-Marie Lavan, CMO at Bauer Media, to unpack the recent rebrand of one of the UK’s most recognisable audio brands: KISS.From refreshed visuals and unique identities across each KISS channel to the development of a new audio language and a high-profile launch event, the rebrand marks a major evolution for the brand.Anne-Marie shares the strategic thinking behind the transformation, the challenge of balancing individuality with a cohesive masterbrand, and how the team ensured the changes resonated beyond just aesthetics. They also discuss the future of audio branding, the role of live experiences in launching a new identity, and the moments that made the whole project feel like a success.Plus, a look at what this rebrand signals for the future of audio brands more broadly.

Trust has become one of the advertising industry’s biggest talking points, but what does it actually mean in practice for brands, publishers and audiences?In this episode of the IAB UK Podcast, Alex Kozloff sits down with Imogen Fox from The Guardian and Theo Luke from The Trade Desk to unpack the relationship between media environments, trust and advertising effectiveness. Together, they explore new research into how context influences the way advertising is received, remembered and believed, and discuss why premium publishers continue to play a critical role in building stronger connections between brands and consumers.From the commercial value of quality journalism to the tension between scale and responsibility, the conversation examines what it really means for brands to “show up well”, and why trusted environments can drive better outcomes for advertisers.Whether you’re a marketer, media planner or publisher, this episode offers practical insight into why trust and context should be central to every advertising strategy.

In this episode of The IAB UK Podcast, James is joined by Cecilia Morelli, Director of Marketing at SXSW London, to explore how one of the world’s most influential festivals is making the leap from Austin to Europe.From the challenges of launching in a new market to the core idea of 'convergence', where tech, music, film, business and innovation collide, the conversation unpacks what makes SXSW such a unique cultural and creative event.They also discuss how AI is influencing every discipline represented at the festival, how SXSW is using audience 'excitement points' to evolve the event experience year on year, and what attendees can expect from this year’s line-up of speakers and sessions.Whether you’re attending for the first time or simply curious about the future of creativity and innovation, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the thinking shaping SXSW London.

Recorded live at the IAB’s Last Thursday Club, this special episode of Open Web Surgery brings together leading voices from across the industry to explore the evolving role of the open web.Hosted by IAB’s Pat Hann, the discussion features Joel Livesey (The Trade Desk), Samara Hocihara (The Telegraph) and Max Gold (the7stars), offering a mix of brand, publisher and platform perspectives. Together, they unpack the realities of today’s digital ecosystem — from the challenges facing the open web to the opportunities for collaboration, innovation and growth.Expect candid conversation, practical insight and a clear view of how different parts of the industry are thinking about what comes next.