Podcast
New Digital Age
Hosted by New Digital Age · EN
Interviews, insight & analysis on digital media & marketing
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The NDA Podcast: retail media complexity and the changing face of B2B PR
1w ago00:27:46Tap to summarizeIn the latest episode of the NDA Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Justin Pearse and Retail Media Age Editor Rebecca Sentance are joined by Lydia Oakes, MD of Bluestripe Communications, for a wide-ranging discussion on how B2B PR is evolving in an era shaped by AI, fragmented media and growing pressure to prove performance.The episode opens with Rebecca sharing some of the latest developments from the retail media sector, including new editorial initiatives at Retail Media Age focused on highlighting emerging talent and agency perspectives across the industry. The discussion also focuses on retail media’s biggest current challenges, from buying complexity and performance pressures to the growing importance of brand building.Drawing on more than two decades in communications, Lydia discusses the dramatic transformation of the trade media landscape, from the heyday of print publishing to today’s fast-moving digital environment, where algorithm-driven discovery have made it harder than ever for brands to stand out. Despite the technological change, the conversation makes clear that the fundamentals of strong communications remain rooted in expertise, relationships and genuinely-useful storytelling.The episode also examines the growing role of AI in PR workflows, from media monitoring and discoverability analysis through to understanding how brands appear in large language models such as Claude and Perplexity. But Lydia argues that while AI can support efficiency and measurement, it cannot replicate the experience, judgement and credibility of an expert spokesperson or communicator.
Transcribe →
The NDA Podcast: Possible Miami, retail media growth and special guest Ezoic's John Cole
3w ago00:32:33Tap to summarizeIn the latest episode of the NDA Podcast, Justin Pearse, Editor-in-Chief of New Digital Age (NDA), is joined by Andy Oakes, Publisher of NDA, dialling in from a Miami hotel bathroom after three days at Possible, and Rebecca Sentance, Editor of Retail Media Age.And we take a deep dive into the impact of AI on publishers with Ezoic's John Cole.The conversation kicks off with a debrief from Possible Miami and a discussion the of the chaging purpose of different industry events for attendees hoping to drive ROI from the often not insigifcant investment needed.This week's special guest is John Cole, Chief Customer Officer at Ezoic. With over 25 years of industry experience, Cole provides a sobering yet optimistic look at the "world-documented battle" publishers face today. Key discussion points include:The Impact of LLMs: How Google’s "no-click searches" and AI-driven content are fundamentally altering organic traffic patterns.The Shift to Unique Value: Why "commoditised content" is a losing game and how publishers must pivot toward unique, high-value newsletters and web apps to survive.AI as a Solution: Using AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) not just for content, but as a tool to disentangle complex "Frankenstein" tech stacks and provide clear, actionable data for business growth.
Transcribe →
New Digital Age Podcast: AI, video budgets, brand safety and buses
4w ago00:32:19Tap to summarizeIn this week's NDA Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Justin Pearse and Publisher Andy Oakes are joined by Adtech Personality of The Year, and MD at Mantis, Reach, Fi Salmon.*Sound warning: Tech issues mean Justin's audio quality is very poor but luckily Fi and Andy's is crystal clear.The discussion includes:AI's Impact on Publishing: Exploring how artificial intelligence is currently affecting the industry and strategies to get readers to "arrive and stay".The Surge in Video Budgets: Discussion on the significant increase in video investment, with some agency groups allocating up to 80% of revenue to video content.The "Bus Chat": A deeo dive into the team's favourite London bus routes, including a particular fondness for the 227.Brand Safety vs. Suitability: Moving the conversation from basic safety to "suitability," acknowledging that every brand has a different tolerance level for content.YouTube's Evolving Audience: How YouTube is increasingly attracting an older demographic through long-form sports broadcasting like county cricket.Conference Season: A look ahead to the Possible conference in Miami, debating the "shorts vs. trousers" dress code and the rise of the content creator.The Q1 Downturn: Reflecting on the "slow start" to the year and the impact of holiday timing on industry momentum.
Transcribe →
The NDA Podcast: retail media consolidation, indusry optimism, and special guest Matt Barashode
Apr 1700:35:22Tap to summarizeIn the latest edition of the NDA podcast, Justin Pearse, Editor-in-Chief, is joined by Rebecca Sentance, Editor of Retail Media Age, and Andy Oakes, Publisher of New Digital Age, to discuss optimism in the UK media landscape. The team kicks off with the positive news from the latest IPA Bellwether report, which shows UK ad spend is up by 7.3. This positive shift is mirrored by the return of several industry veterans who are launching innovative new ventures, proving that experience and entrepreneurship remain the driving forces of the sector.The conversation then turns to the "growing up" phase of retail media. Rebecca explains that as the sector matures, we are likely to see a consolidation of networks as the market moves away from explosive growth toward a more sustainable model. They explore how formats are evolving, particularly with Tesco’s introduction of video placements, which marks a shift from simple sponsored listings to high-end creative storytelling.This week's special guest is Matt Barash, a veteran of the adtech world, who shares his perspective on why the industry needs to refocus on the "art" of advertising. Barash argues that while data and science have dominated the last decade, real creativity and authenticity, especially within social creative, are what truly drive consumer engagement.Finally, the podcast previews the upcoming industry calendar, including the Possible event in Miami and the return of the Trinity lunch in London. With Claire Enders set to provide a macroeconomic view of the market at Trinity, the team emphasises that despite the rise of AI and automation, the most valuable currency in media remains in-person relationships and human connection.
Transcribe →
The NDA Podcast: retail media, audio advertsing and orange chocolate
Apr 400:24:01Tap to summarizeIn the latest episode of the NDA podcast, Justin Pearce, Editor-in-Chief, is joined by Andy Oakes, Publisher of New Digital Age, and Rebecca Sentance, Editor of Retail Media Age, for a discussion on the pulse of the media and advertising industry. The discussion touched on the growing intersection of retail data and audio advertising through major tie-ups like Amazon’s partnership with Global and Kroger’s collaboration with YouTube; the highlights of Advertising Week, including Graham Norton’s keynote on the effectiveness of podcast advertising and the power of authentic celebrity-brand connections. We discuss the value and purpose of industry staples like Possible in Miami and the highly anticipated Maison NDA at Cannes Lions, which promises to be a central hub for networking and thought leadership. Despite a challenging first quarter influenced by global events, the team finds reasons for optimism in the resilience of adtech and the rapid evolution of the creator economy. And we take a deep dive into Easter egg flavours and chocolate orange.
Transcribe →
The NDA Podcast: Rebecca Sentance's debut in a busy week for retail media
Mar 2300:29:10Tap to summarizeThe latest episode of the NDA Podcast, our weekly ramble through digital media and marketing, sees the debut of our newest editorial star, Rebecca Sentance.Rebecca joins us from Econsultancy to take the helm at Retail Media Age (RMA), a title that is going from strength to strength as the sector booms.Rebecca began her career in radio before she transitioned into digital journalism with foundational roles at ClickZ and Search Engine Watch.This deep expertise in search and SEO laid the groundwork for her seven-year tenure at Econsultancy, where she covered everything from digital transformation to the sudden emergence of Generative AI.The discussion with NDA Editor-in-Chief Justin Pearse, includes:The Full Funnel Journey: Why home improvement brands like Wickes must be present at the "inspiration" stage (Pinterest, TikTok) as well as the point of sale.The Store as a Canvas: The fascinating overlap between in-store retail media and programmatic Digital Out of Home (DOOH).A Supportive Community: The unique, collaborative spirit within the retail media space, including the growing Women in Retail Media network.What’s Next for NDA?The podcast discusses a packed 2026 calendar, including:The RMA Lunch in Manchester (July 16th) and London (September 10th).NDA MENA: Our continued focus on the booming Middle East ecosystem, including a virtual round table in April.Cannes: Our return to the NDA Maison for a week of panels, podcasts, and parties.
Transcribe →
NDA Meets: Christian Muche, Founder and Global President, Possible
Mar 900:27:32Tap to summarizeThe transition from "event" to "essential platform" is how Christian Muche, Founder and Global President of Possible, describes the evolution of Possible, taking place in Miami this April.In the latest of our NDA Meets podcasts, Muche outlines how POSSIBLE has grown from a high-potential debut into what he calls the "Davos of the marketing world." But this isn't just about growth in numbers, it’s about a fundamental shift toward quality, ROI, and hyper-personalisation.Beyond the main atage: A custom experienceMuche highlights that for industry leaders, time, not budget, is the most precious currency. To respect that, Possible, for which NDA is once again media partners, has moved away from the "one-size-fits-all" panel model. Instead, the 2026 event focuses on:POSSIBLE Connect: A matchmaking programme facilitating over 3,000 pre-scheduled, opt-in meetings between brand marketers and solution providers.The CMO Experience: A curated, peer-to-peer program designed specifically for the industry’s most senior leaders to solve real-world problems behind closed doors.Granular Learning: Moving beyond broad keynotes into intimate workshops and academies of just 20 people.While comparisons to Cannes Lions are inevitable, Muche is quick to point out the distinction. Possible is a "domestic" powerhouse for the US market (though increasingly global), housed in a centralised footprint at the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc hotels."It’s a highly efficient setup," Muche said. Whether you are on the beach, where meeting tents sit on the sand, or on the "street side" among the yachts, the entire ecosystem is designed to minimise travel time and maximise networking.In the podcast we discuss the changing face of industry events, the role of Miami itself and the industry trends this year's event will explore.
Transcribe →
It's Always Media Thursday: Indie agencies, CTV creativity and Titan OS's Joe Evea
Dec 500:30:32Tap to summarizeWe discuss our launch of PitchLab and the continued rise of indie agencies, the looming presence of Cannes, and the creativity challenges in retail media and CTV advertising. This week's special guest is Joe Evea, SVP Advertising and Retail Media EMEA at Titan OS, which this week announced it had raised €50 million in Series A funding, in a round led by Highland Europe.We discuss the creative potential of CTV, such as the TV Home Screen, the chaging needs and demands from the buy side, and the vital of proving incremtality. "We work with a agency which spends a lot of money on Netflix but they're only buying 30% of the Netflix customers on our devices because only 30% buy into the ad tier," he pointed out. "We're able to use data to enable them to reach the other 70% and that incrementally is very important. But we need more focus on the creative. It's great that. you've got incremental reach but how can you use the medium to create advertising that really resonates and I think that will be a major discussion point in 2026."And with Christmas starting to hit, we discuss the critical role of industry socialising in building and strengthening the relationships the drive this industry. "We're doing team-focussed meetings at agencies more and more now and this is so much more efficient and productive," said Evea. "We've even started taking a TV into agencies to demonstrate the home screen and it's really working."
Transcribe →
It's Always Media Thursday: Justin & Andy with The Queens of Adtech
Nov 2800:30:57Tap to summarizeThe It's Always Media Thursday podcast returns for its 10th series, with guests Zuzanna Gierlinska and Fi Salmon. The podcast is an irreverent take on a week in digital media and marketing, hosted by NDA Editor-in-Chief Justin Pearse and Publisher Andy Oakes.To kickstart the news series we are joined by not only Fiona Salmon, MD, Mantis, in her guise as the newly-crowned Adtech Personality of the Year, awarded each year by Exchangewire, but also last year's winner Zuzanna Gierlinska, now Partner at our new Panel Power training scheme. In a rare Peppa Pig-free episode, we discuss what such an accolade really means in practice, and the importance of community in our industry, currently being borne out by the retail media sector. And Fiona provides fascinating insight into the changing focus of publishers she is witnessing as they continue revenue stream diversification. And on the day before NDA's Trinity Winter lunch, we discuss the vital role of industry events and, shameless plug here, our Panel Power training programme's mission to raise the quality bar of industry panels, for both audience and participant's company's ROI.
Transcribe →
NDA Meets: Will Jones, Head of Omnichannel Activation at Adform
Oct 2000:30:35Tap to summarizeIn the latest episode of the New Digital Age Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Justin Pearce sits down with Will Jones, Head of Omnichannel Activation at Adform, to discuss the evolution of omnichannel marketing, the challenges of measurement and fragmentation, and how Adform is helping brands and agencies navigate the fast-changing programmatic landscape.Will’s media journey began almost 20 years ago at New Media Age, where he and Justin first worked together. From those early days of the dotcom boom and social media’s infancy, Will has seen the digital industry transform dramatically. Today, at Adform, he leads efforts across CTV, digital out-of-home, and audio, helping advertisers bring these channels together seamlessly.“Buyers are facing huge challenges,” Will explains. “With so many new channels emerging, resources are stretched. Brands need partners that make activation simple, transparent, and consistent across markets.” He points to Adform’s Campaign Planner as a key innovation. enabling clients to plan, activate, and measure campaigns across multiple channels from one place.The conversation also explores data sovereignty and the importance of maintaining transparency and control over where ads appear and how data is used. “We’re passionate about giving clients visibility,” Will says. “They need to know exactly where their media is running and how their audiences are reached.”Creativity remains a crucial part of omnichannel success, particularly as formats like CTV and digital out-of-home mature. “These are immersive, emotional environments,” Will adds. “Getting the creative right is what makes omnichannel work.”Looking ahead, Will sees enormous potential: “If we can connect these channels effectively, standardize measurement, and keep experiences premium, the next few years will be truly exciting.”
Transcribe →