Evolution or extinction: The holding company reckoning is here

Experts have billed 2026 as 'the year of the independent agency', so what does this mean for the future of holding companies?

On this episode of the Performance Marketing Unlocked podcast, PMW's entire editorial team is in studio to talk about everything going on in the world of marketing that doesn't involve AI. From an uptick in agency mergers and acquisitions to the channels marketers continue to ignore, the team discuss all you might have missed during AI's takeover of your psyche.

This podcast was hosted by PMW's Deputy Editor, Joseph Arthur.

~ Episode breakdown ~

(2:32) Why does it feel like M&A activity has gone into overdrive?

(9:00) Everything marketers have been ignoring in 2026 so far

(21:35) Overrated or underrated...

~ Further reading ~

Publicis wins Microsoft’s AI biz and Anthropic’s revenue surges: Latest industry moves

ROAST expands to US and impact.com helps YouTube launch Creator Partnerships API: Latest industry moves

Global consumer media usage to rise after 2025 slump

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