Audio

Ready to hit play on digital audio advertising? We've pulled together key work by our members in this sector to provide insight, inspiration and guidance to switch you on to this booming channel

Sector overview

All about audio

According to Digital Adspend 2025, the digital audio ad market attracted £160m. With its popularity only set to keep growing, and the technology around audio advertising advancing by the day, digital audio is a channel buzzing with opportunity right now. More and more, brands are tuning in to the potential audio offers to reach highly engaged audiences with ads that enhance, rather than hinder, their overall experience.

Podcasts in particular have seen a huge boost in recent years, and were in fact the driving force of market growth last year, as consumers seek the ease of listening and the power of connection that they offer. At the same time, the number of UK homes with smart speakers sits at 60% compared to 22% at the start of the pandemic. 

The IAB’s Audio Community exists to bring our audio members together to maximise opportunities in this area, demonstrate the results that investing in audio can deliver, and bring clarity to the buying, planning and measurement processes.

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The future of audio: smarter, global, and data-driven

Experts from Veritonic, Soundcast and AdsWizz highlight how advances in measurement, AI creative and programmatic are driving audio growth.

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members

Embrace the funny when it comes to podcasting

Members of the IAB Audio Group tell The Drum why humour can be so effective when it comes to memorable podcast ads.

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Speakers at IAB UK event

Explore The Evidence

A hub of effectiveness research and real-life case studies from the likes of Tesco, Meta and Cancer Research to inspire your digital audio strategy.

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Upcoming event: The Podcast Show

The Podcast Show London is a one-of-a-kind event brings together industry leaders, brands, and platforms alongside the most exciting emerging and established creators to celebrate, and help shape, the future of podcasting.

Audio on The IAB UK Podcast

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The Sound-On Era: how audio is winning attention

Our CSO James Chandler and Jenny Haggard unpack Spotify’s The Sound On Era research and how trust and personalisation are shaping audio engagement.

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How can we get better at measuring outcomes from audio?

James is joined by Sarah Gale and Dan Innes-Taylor of Global to explore how audio measurement is evolving beyond clicks and short-term metrics.

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Audio Meets Video: introducing Global Studios

James is joined by Tony McAllister and Farhann Cachra of Global to discuss the launch of Global Studios and investment in The Overlap Network.

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Insight from our members

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The evolution of audio offers advertisers unique opportunities

Octave explores how new targeting and creative capabilities are enhancing audio for advertisers and consumers alike

members talking

The role & benefits of dynamic audio

AMA, shares an overview of dynamic audio advertising, including what it means and how it works

Man on stage holding microphone

Measurement 101

Veritonic provides a high-level overview of some of the common audio advertising measurement options and techniques available today

Members at IAB event

The role and benefits of streaming audio ads

As consumers increasingly embrace digital audio platforms, Veritonic examines what streaming audio ads offer to reach measurable results

IAB member at event

Why brands should embrace podcast ad's power of trust & attention

Audioboom explores how podcast advertising builds trust through host authenticity and fostering brand advocacy in an engaged audience

IAB members in discussion at event

Navigating the programmatic audio ecosystem

Adswizz takes a closer look at how programmatic audio advertising offers scalable, targeted engagement in a brand safe, data-driven environment

member

The role and benefits of digital audio advertising

Global explains how digital audio blends emotional resonance with precise targeting, empowering advertisers to engage diverse audiences across daily moments

members talking

Why In-Game Audio is a "Must Play" for Advertisers

Establishing a POV on the rise of in-game audio ad formats, their distinctiveness from conventional channels, and why brands should integrate them into their media strategy

IAB Member chatting at event

More on the IAB Member Vault

The IAB Member Vault provides a platform for our members to exchange blogs, research, events, and more. Explore the world of digital audio and discover how it can elevate your brand by delving into our members' insights now.

members chatting

Audio Community

IAB Communities are open for all IAB UK members to join - giving you influence, equipping you with essential insights to enhance your work, and helping you to forge new connections. They have been designed to enable a more dynamic and holistic approach to our cross-industry work – in a way that works for you. 

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