Liberty On the Line

Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens when the right people find each other, share ideas, and build momentum together.

For the latest Liberty on the Line episode, Liberty CEO Elena Davidson is joined by Ben Shorrock, CEO of TechSPARK, and Joyann Boyce, Deep Tech Community Manager at TechSPARK, to explore how the Bristol and Bath region has become one of the UK’s most dynamic tech hubs. They discuss the power of community-led growth, the rise of deep tech across AI, cyber, and quantum, and why inclusive, human-first networks matter more than ever.

The conversation also covers practical advice for founders, from pitching early and tapping into local support, to building the relationships that help companies start, scale, and thrive.

Guests:

• Ben Shorrock – CEO, TechSPARK
• Joyann Boyce – Deep Tech Community Manager, TechSPARK

Changing audience habits, AI disruption, and economic pressure are forcing newsrooms to rethink how they create, distribute, and sustain quality journalism.

In this episode of Liberty on the Line, Liberty CEO Elena Davidson is joined by Naomi Owusu, Co-Founder and CEO of Tickaroo, and Andrew Webb, Founder of Connectopia, to unpack what’s shifting in media and what the next generation of journalists is telling us about where the industry goes next.

Together, they dig into new findings from Tickaroo’s survey of early-career journalists, exploring why so many believe journalism remains essential to democracy while also calling for major reinvention. The conversation covers the widening skills gap around AI and business fundamentals, the rise of news “deserts” and geographic bias, and the growing need for mentorship, psychological safety, and sustainable workloads.

Naomi and Andrew also discuss how tools and workflows can reduce friction in the newsroom, keep a human in the loop, and help publishers rebuild trust and engagement in a fast-changing landscape.

Guests:

• Naomi Owusu – Co-Founder and CEO at Tickaroo, a live blogging platform used by 350+ newsrooms globally to engage audiences in real time and monetize that engagement.
• ⁠Andrew Webb – Founder of Connectopia, helping media technology companies navigate the UK market and build stronger relationships across the publishing ecosystem.

Breaking into a new market is never easy—especially when it’s the crowded, fast-moving world of media tech.

In this episode of Liberty on the Line, Liberty’s Jen Hibberd speaks with Andrew Webb, founder of Connectopia and the Emerging Tech Network, about what it really takes for technology companies to win over publishers and media brands.

They explore the biggest obstacles for international tech companies entering the UK market, why listening is the most underrated sales skill, and how storytelling can cut through “tech fatigue” to create genuine, lasting relationships. Andrew also shares lessons from building a thriving peer community that connects innovators with decision-makers in the publishing industry.

Guest:

• ⁠Andrew Webb – Founder of Connectopia and the Emerging Tech Network, with a background spanning commercial leadership in publishing and ad tech. Andrew helps technology companies navigate market entry, forge meaningful industry connections, and position themselves for sustainable growth.

Branding isn’t just a logo—it’s a foundational business tool that can make or break a company’s long-term success.

In this episode of Liberty on the Line, Liberty CEO Elena Davidson sits down with seasoned B2B marketing consultant Mark Allatt to explore how startups and scaling companies can create meaningful brand identities from day one.

Together, they unpack why branding should never be an afterthought, how early-stage companies can avoid costly missteps, and what it takes to build a brand that not only resonates with customers—but also earns investor confidence and internal buy-in.

Guest:

• Mark Allatt – A marketing strategist and former global brand lead at Deloitte, with extensive experience guiding professional services and tech companies through critical branding inflection points.

The rise of freelance journalism is reshaping the media landscape—bringing both opportunity and uncertainty to those on the front lines of tech reporting.

In this special episode of Liberty on the Line, Liberty’s James Meredith sits down with two veteran tech journalists to unpack the realities of freelance life in today’s fast-changing editorial world.

Together, they explore the evolving relationship between PR professionals and independent reporters, share insights on navigating the business side of freelancing, and offer candid advice for how brands can collaborate more effectively with journalists.

Guests:

• Marc Ambasna-Jones – A journalist, editor, and editorial consultant with bylines in The Guardian, Computer Weekly, The Register, New Statesman, and Raconteur (The Times).

• Danny Palmer – An award-winning cybersecurity journalist and editorial content writer with over a decade of experience covering tech, AI, and cyber for publications like ZDNet and The Stack.

For episode #20 of Liberty on the Line, Liberty CEO Elena Davidson sits down with António Dias Martins, Executive Director at Startup Portugal, to explore Portugal’s soaring startup scene and what’s in store at the upcoming SIM Conference in Porto.

In this episode:

• Why SIM Conference is fast becoming southern Europe’s must‑attend event for founders, investors, and ecosystem builders

• The origin story of Porto’s startup boom and lessons other cities can borrow

• Practical tips for startups looking to turn conference connections into lasting partnerships

Press play to hear how Portugal is positioning itself as a global innovation hub, and why your next big opportunity might start on the banks of the Douro.

Liberty is proud to be a woman-owned business, and each year, we dedicate a podcast episode to celebrating the impact of the International Women's Day movement, observed on March 8th.

In this special episode of Liberty on the Line, Director James Meredith sits down with Deborah Gray, Founder and CEO of Iberian communications agency ⁠⁠⁠Canela⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, to discuss their Keep Working for Change initiative and the ongoing progress of women's rights worldwide.

As Mobile World Congress (MWC) kicks off, excitement is in the air in Barcelona.

For Episode 18 of Liberty on the Line, Liberty CEO Elena Davidson sits down with Imma Folch Lázaro, CEO and Founder of LF Channel, a Spanish PR agency based in Barcelona which was founded in 1996 and has attending MWC for over 20 years.

Together, they discuss what to expect on the ground at MWC and share expert insights on how to make the most of the event this year.

The arrival of DeepSeek has sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley, shaken global markets, and ignited debates across the tech world.

In Episode 17 of Liberty on the Line, ⁠⁠Liberty⁠⁠ CEO Elena Davidson sits down with two leading media experts to explore the seismic impact of this AI breakthrough.

Together, they dive into the implications of DeepSeek and share their insights on the future trajectory of artificial intelligence.

Guests:

• Peter Warren, Editor of Future Intelligence , Chair of the Cybersecurity Research Institute, and author of Cyber Crime & Warfare: All That Matters and the upcoming title AI on Trial.
• Tom Allen, Founder and CEO of The AI Journal

The communications and PR landscape in APAC is a captivating yet complex maze for outsiders.

In part two of Liberty on the Line's spotlight on the region, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Liberty⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'s Director, James Meredith, takes a closer look at India and Southeast Asia with Nolan Ovinis, Director and Senior Consultant at Priority Consultants.

Together, they navigate the region’s diverse industry landscape, uncovering the challenges and opportunities shaping the communications market there today.