In this episode of the Digital Culture Podcast, James Akers speaks to Tech Champions Dean Shaw and Adam Sykes to explore how organisations can use the tools they already have to better understand, reach, and engage their audiences. From simple content creation techniques to practical Customer Relationship Management (CRM) automations, the conversation highlights how even small teams with tight budgets can make big improvements to their audience journeys.

They discuss:

• How using content at the right time can create more engaging communication
• Why you don't need big budgets for high-impact content
• What CRM automations and personalisation options can help audiences feel more connected to your organisation

Links and resources discussed in this episode:

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document)
• Indigo Ltd Museums and Galleries Benchmark
• Substrakt 2025 Benchmark Report

Music by ⁠⁠SHAR

In this episode four Tech Champions reflect on their experience at the 2026 REMIX Summit in London – a fast‑paced, future‑focused gathering exploring innovation across the creative industries. Their conversation highlights themes that stayed with them a month later: the growing value of authenticity in a digital world, the resurgence of “slow culture,” the structural challenges around class and access, the recognition of Digital Arts as a new art form by Arts Council England, and the expanding role of creative health.

They discuss:

• How authenticity and “slow culture” are gaining momentum
• Why Arts Council England’s announcement was met with excitement
• Creative health and digital wellbeing tools are on the rise

Links and resources discussed in this episode:

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document)
• REMIX Summit London 2026
• Digital Arts becomes Arts Council England’s tenth supported artform

Music by ⁠⁠SHAR

In this episode of the Digital Culture Podcast, James Akers speaks with Katy Farrell and Nicola Barratt, the Social Media Tech Champions, on the whirlwind of digital change in 2025 and look ahead to what 2026 will bring. They unpack everything from AI slop flooding our feeds, to the rise of vertical video, evolving engagement metrics, the increasing role of search across social platforms, and the wellbeing challenges faced by social media managers.

They discuss:

• Why audiences increasingly value real people and real stories
• How social search is transforming content discovery
• What steps can be taken to avoid staff burnout

Links and resources discussed in this episode:

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document)

Newsletters to keep up to date on social:

• Dan Slee’s weekly newsletter
• Matt Navarra’s Geekout Newsletter
• Digital Culture Network newsletter

Connect with Katy and Nicola on LinkedIn:

• Katy Farrell
• Nicola Barratt

Great content examples:

• Creating Paddington’s oranges from Alice Esme Greenacre
• Smashing pumpkins from Royal Armouries
• Traitors round table from National Museums Scotland
• TK Maxx trend from Thackray Museum of Medicine

• Emplifi 2026 report – findings from a survey of more than 560 marketers

Music by ⁠⁠SHAR