Épisodes

  • DAD014: Discussing Compliance, GTM/GA4 & Automation with Dan Truman

    DAD014: Discussing Compliance, GTM/GA4 & Automation with Dan Truman
    Jan 5 2026
    This episode explores the state of digital analytics across consent and ethics, UK/EU regulatory shifts, implementation pitfalls in GA4 and GTM (client‑side and server‑side), what “good” governance looks like, misconceptions that hold businesses back, and how automation and AI will reshape MarTech. The discussion balances NON-legal guidance (we are not lawyers - we will discuss how we would guide our clients) & ethical nuance (cookie consent, PECR/ePrivacy, “ads‑or‑data” paywalls, consent mode ambiguity) with hands‑on implementation guidance (trigger ordering, config tags, enhanced measurement pitfalls, server‑side GTM on first‑party endpoints). It closes with pragmatic views on analytics as a revenue function and near‑term opportunities to productise repeatable work with automation and AI agents.
    • Rising public awareness of data collection and the messy reality of consent banners, paywalls, and browser‑level signals—and how this varies by market.
    • Regulatory ambiguity (UK guidance, PECR/ePrivacy/DUAA interplay, “statistical analysis” carve‑outs) and why organisations must define a clear legal/ethical risk posture—not just a technical stance.
    • Consent Mode, Google Signals, and the “German GTM ruling”: what actually triggered panic, why context matters, and how intent and downstream controls are key.
    • GA4/GTM mistakes: firing order and race conditions, multiple config tags, over‑reliance on Enhanced Measurement, noisy form submits, undocumented “cute” renames, legacy tags, and excessive custom JS.
    • Server‑side GTM: value, common missteps (not truly first‑party endpoints, A‑record/IP mismatches), and SaaS vs self‑host trade‑offs.
    • Analytics isn’t “plug‑and‑play”; “capture everything” promises just shift effort from engineering to data teams. Analytics is a revenue function that powers activation and models.
    • AI/automation: use agents and scripts to productise repeatable tasks, orchestrate tools, and summarise outputs rather than “let AI do it all.”
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    1 h et 12 min
  • DAD013: Our Presentations at MeasureCamp London: Part 2

    DAD013: Our Presentations at MeasureCamp London: Part 2
    Dec 30 2025
    In this episode of Digital After Dark, Matt and Andrew dive deep into data layer quality, JSON schema validation, and automated monitoring at scale. Using real-world examples from MeasureCamp and client implementations, they explore how teams can move from messy, inconsistent analytics data to a reliable, validated, and scalable data ecosystem.

    Andrew focuses on how JSON schemas bring structure and confidence to data layers, empowering developers, QA, and analysts to catch issues early. Matt then builds on that foundation by showing how to operationalize schema validation at scale using tools like ObservePoint, automation, and APIs—ensuring data quality doesn’t break when changes ripple across large sites or multiple domains.

    The conversation blends technical depth with practical workflows, developer empathy, and a healthy dose of humor (including an unforgettable “number two before number one” moment).

    Key Takeaways
    • Your data layer is the schema — the events are temporary, but the schema defines long-term data quality.
    • Validate early, not after launch — catching issues in dev saves exponential time later.
    • JSON Schema turns analytics specs into enforceable contracts, not just documentation.
    • Data quality deserves the same rigor as UX, even if the consequences appear later.
    • Manual testing doesn’t scale — automation and monitoring are essential for modern analytics stacks.
    • Schema validation builds confidence across teams, from developers to analysts to stakeholders.
    • Start small (MVP) — even basic type validation delivers immediate value.
    • At scale, governance beats heroics — automation, APIs, and shared standards win every time.
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    1 h et 20 min
  • DAD-013: Measurecamp 2025 Review Part 1

    DAD-013: Measurecamp 2025 Review Part 1
    Nov 29 2025
    In this episode of Digital After Dark, Andrew and Matt dive into their experiences at MeasureCamp London 2025, an unconference powered entirely by the analytics community. They reflect on the energy that comes from 450+ analysts giving up a Saturday to learn, share, and collaborate as well as remanence on the evolution of MeasureCamp—from its early days of beanbags and pizza to today’s polished format with sponsors, merchandise and expertly managed logistics.

    They walk through memorable moments from the day: the mad “Black Friday dash” to claim session slots, the humour and chaos of handwritten talk cards, and the joy of reconnecting with industry friends. As both presenters and attendees, Matt and Andrew experienced the day from multiple angles, comparing notes on crowd sizes, room selection strategy, session clashes, and the sense of community that continues to define MeasureCamp.

    The episode then moves into a rapid-fire discussion of the sessions they each attended, ranging from Simo Ahava’s exploration of server-side tagging philosophy, to clever GA4 anomaly detection approaches, to compliance innovation at Condé Nast, to TV analytics “fiendish questions” from ITV. The hosts also tease upcoming podcast guests they met at the event and share key personal takeaways—new tools, new ideas, and renewed appreciation for the digital analytics community.

    The second part is still being edited, where Matt and I present to each other the sessions we presented at MeasureCamp. Listen through the closing to listen to why there was a break in the middle.

    TOPICS COVERED:
    • What MeasureCamp is, why it matters, and how the London 2025 edition was organised
    • The “session board rush” and discussion of fairness, first-timers, and room allocation
    • Overall vibe of the day: community, conversations, introverts surviving social overload
    • Session breakdowns (list below)
    • Themes: schema validation, data quality, consent & compliance, server-side tooling
    SESSIONS ATTENDED
    • Unsolved Problems with Server-Side Tagging – Simo Ahava
    • GA4 Anomaly Detection and Data Quality Checks at Scale – Marco Tognon
    • Enhancing Condé Nast’s Compliance Methodology with Snowplow
    • Discussion on AEP, CJA and CJO with Max Lagace
    • When Data Talks but Nobody Listens: How to Present with Confidence – Parveen Downar
    • Three Fiendish Questions from Streaming & TV Analytics – Tom Milne (ITV)
    • Open-Source GTM Alternative – Alexander Kurzel. (elbwalker.com)
    • Server-Side Circus: End-to-End Server-Side Setup in 15 Minutes – Annie Salo CEO of tracklution
    • GA4 Custom Events and Event Schema Documentation - Hawa Teladia
    • iFrames Are a Pain (But Don’t Have to Be) – Kaail Bigos
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    1 h et 10 min
  • AT012-Attribution IQ: The Adobe Analytics Feature You're Probably Misunderstanding

    AT012-Attribution IQ: The Adobe Analytics Feature You're Probably Misunderstanding
    Oct 20 2025
    This episode of Andrew Talks explores the complexities and misconceptions surrounding Adobe Analytics Attribution IQ. Andrew shares his hands-on experience, highlights unexpected findings, and discusses the challenges of interpreting participation metrics and persistent variables. Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of how Attribution IQ actually works, why documentation can be confusing, and what to watch out for when analyzing marketing channels.

    More details can be found out here: https://experienceleague.adobe.com/en/docs/analytics/analyze/analysis-workspace/attribution/faq
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    16 min
  • DAD12 - Cookieless, News, Rants & Real Talk Over Digital News

    DAD12 - Cookieless, News, Rants & Real Talk Over Digital News
    Sep 11 2025
    • Implementation Strategies for Data Collection: Andrew and Matt discussed the importance of having business requirements for data collection. They debated whether to capture everything or be selective, with Andrew emphasizing the need to justify the cost and impact on the bottom line. Matt shared his evolving perspective, initially advocating for minimal data collection but now considering new tools that automate data collection. 4:34
    • Challenges with Automated Data Collection Tools: Andrew and Matt explored the pros and cons of automated data collection tools that scrape data from the DOM. They discussed the potential benefits of reducing development costs and improving data quality but raised concerns about compliance, security, and the accuracy of these tools. Andrew shared a specific example of a client who faced issues with a marketing pixel that collected more data than disclosed. 20:40
    • Impact of iOS 26 on Data Collection: Andrew highlighted the upcoming release of iOS 26 and its impact on data collection, specifically the removal of GCLID in Safari private browsing. This change will affect how Google Ads and other ad platforms track user interactions. Andrew expressed frustration with Apple's increasing privacy measures, feeling that they are overly protective. 47:02
    • EU Data Privacy and Security Laws: Andrew summarized four new EU laws: the Data Act, AI Act, Cyber Resilience Act, and CSRD. These laws mandate data portability, risk classification for AI systems, strict security obligations, and expanded ESG reporting. Andrew emphasized the broad impact these laws will have on various industries, including IoT, cloud services, healthcare, and telecommunications. 56:47
    • Hanover Ruling on GTM Compliance: Matt explained the Hanover ruling, which requires prior consent before loading Google Tag Manager (GTM). The ruling was based on a specific case where a company was setting cookies without consent. Matt expressed concerns about the broader implications of this ruling, questioning how it might affect other tag management solutions and third-party services that rely on retrieving data from external servers. 1:06:38
    • Metric London Event: Andrew and Matt discussed their plans for the upcoming Metric London event. Andrew will present on data layer schemas, while Matt is considering topics related to automation and ObservePoint. Both expressed excitement about the event and the opportunity to share their knowledge and insights. 1:33:29
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    1 h et 37 min
  • AT011: Unlocking the Missing Use Case with James Alexander

    AT011: Unlocking the Missing Use Case with James Alexander
    Jul 24 2025
    In this episode, James Alexander, CEO and co-founder of Loop Horizon, joins Andrew to explore the often-overlooked use cases in digital transformation. Drawing from his experience at Sky and Loop Horizon, James outlines four types of use cases—standard, improvement, advanced, and rare—and explains why the latter two, though harder to define, often yield the greatest value. He emphasizes the importance of bridging marketing and technology teams, building confidence, and planning for both short- and long-term goals. The conversation is rich with real-world examples, strategic frameworks, and practical advice for organizations navigating data-driven change.

    You can read the article here: Maximsing Your Investment: The Missing Use Case

    Talking Points:
    1. The four types of use cases in digital transformation
    2. Why advanced and rare use cases are often missed
    3. Real-world example from a travel client’s journey transformation
    4. The importance of confidence over technology
    5. Bridging the gap between marketing and tech teams
    6. The PVA framework: Pioneering, Value, Achievability
    7. Short-term wins vs. long-term capability building
    8. Operational feasibility and resource planning
    9. Why tools are less important than people and process
    10. Aggregating use cases for better delivery efficiency
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    37 min
  • AT010: The AI Companion: Penny’s Perspective on the Future of Creativity

    AT010: The AI Companion: Penny’s Perspective on the Future of Creativity
    Jul 22 2025
    In this episode of Andrew Talks, Andrew reconnects with Penny, a passionate Service Designer, to explore how AI is transforming the creative and analytical landscape. From building custom GPTs in ChatGPT to using Adobe Firefly, Penny shares how AI has become her daily design companion. They dive into the ethics, limitations, and future of AI, discussing its role as a partner—not a replacement. Whether you're a designer, analyst, or AI enthusiast, this conversation will challenge your thinking and inspire new ways to collaborate with technology.

    Talking Points:
    Penny’s journey from UX to service design and her creative philosophy
    How AI enhances creativity and ideation in design workflows
    Building custom GPTs as virtual team members (e.g., UX researcher, mentor)
    The evolving role of AI in analytics and schema validation
    The ethics of AI, bias in training data, and human responsibility
    Adobe Firefly’s strengths and limitations for designers
    The future of AI as a true creative companion
    Reflections on AI’s influence through Penny’s short story “The Mirror”

    Link to "The Mirror": https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fable-silver-tongued-mirror-penny-lee-bonqe/?trackingId=spC%2F9uTjzvG7xac7Rb1YXw%3D%3D
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    51 min
  • AT009: Adobe Summit has finally come back to London 2025

    AT009: Adobe Summit has finally come back to London 2025
    Jul 19 2025
    In this episode of Andrew Talks, Andrew shares his personal journey through the Adobe Summit 2025 in London. From initial registration hiccups to keynote highlights and breakout brilliance, Andrew reflects on the venue, the content, and the unforgettable networking moments. He dives into Adobe’s push toward AI, the Premier League partnership, and questions the future of Adobe Analytics. With insights from Tesco’s new CEO and a nostalgic nod to former colleagues, this episode is a heartfelt and thought-provoking look at the evolving digital landscape.

    Talking Points

    • Adobe Summit’s return to London and venue impressions
    • Registration error and Adobe’s quick resolution
    • Keynote highlights: content demand, personalization, and AI
    • Tesco CEO’s insights on customer expectations, AI, and company culture
    • Adobe’s new tools: Content Analytics, LLM Optimizer, Journey Canvas, and Copilot integrations
    • Breakout session with Jen: gamified learning and CJA innovations
    • Reflections on Adobe Analytics’ stagnation and future relevance
    • Networking moments with former colleagues from Sky, Investec, and Adobe
    • Adobe’s partnership with the Premier League and fan personalization
    • Nostalgia and emotional connection to the Adobe Summit experience
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    38 min