New Digital Age

New Digital Age

Interviews, insight & analysis on digital media & marketing

  1. The NDA Podcast: MiQ and Goodstuff on evolving programmatic strategies alongside consumers & delivering for Dr Squatch

    May 26

    The NDA Podcast: MiQ and Goodstuff on evolving programmatic strategies alongside consumers & delivering for Dr Squatch

    In the latest episode of the NDA podcast, Retail Media Age Editor sits down with Meredith O'Brien, Group Agency Director at MiQ, and Paul McGee, Head of Video at Goodstuff, to unpack exactly how programmatic advertising can meet the challenges posed by rapidly-shifting consumer behaviour. O'Brien and McGee dive into the complexity of the current media landscape, how advertiser outcomes are defined, and the challenges of solving for fragmentation, while also exploring the so-called 'collapse' of the funnel and how the advent of AI has upended the traditional customer journey. They then take a close look at a case study that shows how brands - not solely well-resourced, major brands but also smaller, nimble emerging brands - can reach consumers and resonate amidst this fast-moving landscape. Working with Goodstuff and MiQ, challenger men's grooming brand Dr Squatch managed to successfully land its message with its target young, male, urban demographic via YouTube and CTV. O'Brien and McGee also reveal how commerce data allowed them to understand exactly who the campaign resonated with and to link the upper-funnel messaging of the video campaign to retail sales. The conversation is a brilliantly detailed 'under the hood' look at exactly how an effective online video and CTV campaign is built and executed and how it can translate into measurable results for brands. Pulling back to look at the bigger picture, MiQ's Meredith O'Brien also explores the challenges of linking channels such as CTV to tangible ROI, how performance metrics can be brought into an awareness-focused ad medium, and how an openness to experimentation and innovation helps advertisers to stand out.

    41 min
  2. The NDA Podcast: retail media complexity and the changing face of B2B PR

    May 15

    The NDA Podcast: retail media complexity and the changing face of B2B PR

    In 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.

    28 min
  3. The NDA Podcast: retail media consolidation, indusry optimism, and special guest Matt Barashode

    Apr 17

    The NDA Podcast: retail media consolidation, indusry optimism, and special guest Matt Barashode

    In 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.

    35 min
  4. The NDA Podcast: Rebecca Sentance's debut in a busy week for retail media

    Mar 23

    The NDA Podcast: Rebecca Sentance's debut in a busy week for retail media

    The 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.

    29 min
  5. NDA Meets: Christian Muche, Founder and Global President, Possible

    Mar 9

    NDA Meets: Christian Muche, Founder and Global President, Possible

    The 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 experience Muche 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.

    28 min

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Interviews, insight & analysis on digital media & marketing