Business Insider global advertising editor Lara O'Reilly joins the Echo Chamber to discuss how ad blocking software is forcing digital media companies to rethink their advertising models. In conversation with Arun Sudhaman, O'Reilly also explores the restructuring at Publicis and Omnicom, the 'mediapalooza' agency reviews, and the impact of new social media platforms like Facebook Instant Articles and Snapchat Discover on digital publishers.

Tech analyst — and author of 'What If Twitter Died?' — Bob O'Donnell comes onto the Echo Chamber to talk to Aarti Shah about the future of the struggling social network. The episode explores Twitter's way forward and the role its new VP of communications Natalie Kerris plays in this.

The Echo Chamber podcast is produced by Markettiers4DC. 

Sally Costerton drops by the Echo Chamber to discuss HP's "mystifying" media spat with FT journalist Lucy Kellaway. In conversation with Arun Sudhaman, Costerton chews over the pros and cons of taking on big media from a PR perspective. Also discussed on the show — Pepsico's decision to eliminate marketing procurement, likened by Costerton as a "tour of Helmand", and the M&A fever gripping the PR industry.

Cohn & Wolfe Americas CEO Jim Joseph joins the Echo Chamber for our annual roundup of Super Bowl marketing with Arun Sudhaman. Joseph found this year's ads underwhelming and also noted that brands are, curiously, not making the most of digital marketing to bring their Super Bowl spend to life.

After that, Mats Stigzelius from new influencer marketing platform Takumi discusss the rise of Instagram influencers. Brands are increasingly spending money with 'micro-influencers' on Instagram and YouTube — rather than conventional celebrities — and Takumi was launched to help manage this process. Stigzelius joins Sudhaman to explore the pitfalls involved in this type of marketing activity.

Show notes:

Audi R8 Big Game Commercial - Commander: https://youtu.be/diU_09jb4bI

Doritos Dogs - Crash the Super Bowl 2016: https://youtu.be/MNRAdrB9TSs

Dad-Do #2 by NFL’s Benjamin Watson | Braided Pigtails with Pantene: https://youtu.be/DgdYPllFXes

Holmes Report editor Aarti Shah talks to H+K Strategies' new US CEO Beth Balsam about her vision for H+K's US revival, the agency's groundbreaking parental leave policy and why female empowerment has become such a popular marketing theme.

Show notes:Always #LikeAGirlImagine The Possibilities: BarbieTouch The Pickle 

Freedom to Marry national campaign director Marc Solomon provided an

illuminating overview of his successful 13-year battle for marriage

equality, at the 2015 Global PR Summit in Miami.

Solomon, in conversation with Cohn & Wolfe Americas CEO Jim Joseph,

pointed out that the success was far from assured, particularly after a

string of losses in key ballots. However, a focus on communication, data and influencer marketing

ultimately paved the way for the pivotal Supreme Court decision that

declared gay marriage legal.

Show notes:

PR Summit: How The Marriage Equality Campaign Won

Holmes Report editor Aarti Shah talks to H+K Strategies' new US CEO Beth Balsam about her vision for H+K's US revival, the agency's groundbreaking parental leave policy and why female empowerment has become such a popular marketing theme.
Show notes:Always #LikeAGirlImagine The Possibilities: BarbieTouch The Pickle 

Paul Holmes joins the show to discuss his recent analysis of M&A trends in the PR agency world, which revealed that independent firms are now out-buying their publicly-held counterparts. In a wide-ranging discussion with Arun Sudhaman, Paul explores why the big holding groups are buying fewer PR firms, and looks at the impact of private equity on agency M&A activity. Also discussed are the markets and services attracting most interest, APCO's search for a new investment partner, and whether 2016 will prove as active, in M&A terms, as 2015.

Show notes:

2015 Review: Independent Firms Drive PR M&A Activity

Vikki Chowney and Stephen Waddington join Arun Sudhaman to review the biggest PR stories from 2015 including gender inequality, their favourite campaigns, the continued rise of Edelman, and the ongoing fortunes of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and more.

Show notes:

Sport England — This Girl Can

The HIV+ Issue

Analysis: Edelman Closes In On Agency Restructuring And $1bn Target

2015 Review

The Business Value Awards Deadline Extended to January 11