In this episode of the Digital Culture Podcast, James Akers speaks with Monica Thomas, Tech Champion for Search Engine Optimisation, about how Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is evolving in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Monica explains what SEO really means today, why AI is changing the way people discover cultural experiences online, and how organisations can adapt to stay visible. She also shares practical advice on using Google Ad Grants, a program offering charities free daily advertising credit to promote their mission.
The conversation covers everything from structuring content for AI-driven discovery to understanding new tools like structured markup and llms.txt, making this a must-listen for anyone navigating the future of digital marketing in the cultural sector.
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In this episode, James talks to David Yard – Head of Marketing at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre, winners of a 2025 Digital Culture Network Award – about how the team transformed its digital marketing approach to boost cinema audiences and strengthen its online presence.
With support from the Digital Culture Network, Gulbenkian repositioned its strategy to tackle post-pandemic challenges and increased competition. The project included revamping the website for a better cinema experience, launching a dedicated Instagram channel, and using creative on-campus campaigns to engage students. These changes led to a 75% increase in student attendance and set the stage for future audience growth.
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Gulbenkian Arts Centre was awarded a Digital Culture Network Award in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards.
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In this episode, James interviews Jonny Goode - Communications Manager at Blast Theory and winner of the Digital Ambassador award at the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. Jonny shares their journey from joining the organisation in 2021 to leading a transformative approach to digital communications, data strategy, and audience engagement.
They reflect on the development of Blast Theory’s comms strategy, the impact of AI-driven project Cat Royale, and the importance of transparency and knowledge-sharing in the arts.
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Jonny Goode won the Digital Ambassador category in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. The winner of this category was decided by a panel of experts, led by Zak Mensah - Co-CEO of Birmingham Museums Trust.
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In this episode, James talks to Samia Malik – singer-songwriter, visual artist and one of the winners of the Digital Culture Network Award – about how she transformed her creative practice through digital innovation.
With support from the Digital Culture Network, Samia developed a digital-first strategy for her project ‘Songs to Heal and Empower’, using targeted ads and audience data to grow her following and build a strong online presence. Her latest project, ‘Azaadi - A Journey to Freedom’, continues this work with a focus on reaching global audiences and building online communities.
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Samia Malik was awarded a Digital Culture Network Award in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards.
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In this episode of our Digital Culture Awards series, James talks to Flo O’Mahony and Amy Smith from Zoo Co – joint-winners of the Digital Inclusion category - about their production ‘Perfect Show for Rachel’.
Created with and for Flo’s sister Rachel, who is learning disabled, the show places Rachel at the heart of the creative process as live director. Using a custom-built desk with 50 tactile buttons, Rachel controls lighting, sound, video, and cast actions in real time.
Flo and Amy share how the project evolved from early improvisation and iPad experiments into a fully staged production with a cast of 13, live scribe, British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, and a touring workshop model that empowers other learning disabled people to direct their own stories.
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Zoo Co were joint winners of the Digital Inclusion category in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. The winners of this category were decided by a panel of experts, led by Tom Ryalls - Cultural Consultant, Strategist and Writer.
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In this episode, James Akers speaks with Louisa Sanfey and Tam Gilbert from Extant – winners of the Digital Inclusion category at the Digital Culture Awards – about their powerful project, 'Unseen'.
The project began as a response to 2022’s The Unseen report, which explored the intersection of visual impairment and domestic abuse. Extant’s creative team - made up largely of visually impaired artists - worked alongside people with lived experience through creative writing workshops to develop a 45-minute audio drama.
Louisa and Tam explain how the project went on to influence accessibility in sound design software, inspire live performances and panel events, and contribute to sector-wide training and advocacy.
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This episode includes discussion of domestic abuse and violence. While no specific personal experiences are described, some listeners may find these themes sensitive.
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Extant were joint winners of the Digital Inclusion category in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. The winners of this category were decided by a panel of experts, led by Tom Ryalls - Cultural Consultant, Strategist, Writer.
Music by SHAR
In this episode of the Digital Culture Podcast, James talks to Simon Glenister, CEO and founder of Noise Solution, winners of the Using Data category in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards.
Simon explains how their music education mentoring programme supports young people facing exclusion, mental health challenges, and other complex needs. The sessions combine music with technology and are supported by a secure online platform where participants can share their progress with trusted adults.
Data is built into every part of the programme. From tracking wellbeing to analysing feedback with AI, their approach helps show impact, improve delivery, and support funding.
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Noise Solution were the Using Data category winners in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. The winner of this category was decided by a panel of experts, led by Katy Raines - Founder and CEO, Indigo Ltd.
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In this episode, James Akers talks to Katy Clinch, Retail Manager at the Migration Museum, about the digital marketing tactics that helped them win a Digital Culture Network Award. With support from the Digital Culture Network, the museum boosted sales and extended the reach of its online shop through smart use of Meta ads and video content.
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The Migration Museum was awarded a Digital Culture Network Award in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards.
Music by SHAR
In this episode, James Akers interviews Chris Sonnex - Artistic Director & Joint CEO of Cardboard Citizens - about their award-winning project 'More Than One Story’. The project - a series of 9 short films written and produced by and for people with lived experience of homelessness, poverty, and inequity - was the theatre company’s first experience of creating digital theatre.
Chris explains their collaborative approach to the work, why they chose the medium of film to tell these stories, and how that decision, along with choosing relevant partners like the Big Issue, saw them reach an audience of 157,000.
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This episode includes discussion of homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence in a general context. While no specific personal experiences are described, some listeners may find these themes sensitive.
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Cardboard Citizens were the Digital Content category winners in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. The winner of this category was decided by a panel of experts, led by Megan Jones - Digital Content Manager, National Museums Scotland.
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In this episode – the second in our Digital Culture Awards winners series – James Akers interviews Nik Wyness, Head of Marketing and Engagement at The Tank Museum, winner of the 2025 Digital Marketing category.
Nik shares how The Tank Museum’s digital marketing journey began with a focus on building an active online community through video to raise awareness and evolved into a robust content strategy that now drives global engagement and revenue.
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The Tank Museum were the Digital Marketing category winners in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. The winner of this category was decided by a panel of experts, led by Ranjit Kaur Atwal – Marketing Manager at Unlimited and freelance Communications Consultant.
The next ten episodes will feature award winners from the 2025 Digital Culture Awards, showcasing the very best in digital transformation, digital engagement, and use of technology in creativity and culture across England.
In this episode, James Akers interviews Nadia Sommella, Marketing and Communications Officer from the Barber Institute of Fine Arts about how they redesigned their visitor survey process. With support from the Digital Culture Network, they worked to make data collection more inclusive, accessible, and impactful.
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The Barber Institute of Fine Arts was awarded a Digital Culture Network Award in the 2025 Digital Culture Awards.
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Music by SHAR
In this episode, James Akers interviews Owen Hopkin, Director of New Technologies and Innovation at Arts Council England and Dr Oonagh Murphy from Goldsmiths.
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In this episode, James Akers interviews Jacqueline Ewers, the Digital Culture Network Tech Champion for Email Marketing.
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In this episode, James Akers interviews Katherine Brown, the Digital Culture Network Tech Champion for Ecommerce and Merchandising.
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In our sixth episode, James Akers interviews Andy Leitch, the Digital Culture Network Tech Champion for Websites.
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In this episode, James Akers interviews Dean Shaw, the Digital Culture Network Tech Champion for Content Creation.
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In this episode,James Akers interviewsAdam Sykes, the Digital Culture Network Tech Champion for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Ticketing.
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In this episode, James Akers interviews Jack Roscoe, the Digital Culture Network Tech Champion for Audience Data Collection and Evaluation.
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In this episode, James Akers interviews Ollie Couling, the Digital Culture Network Tech Champion for Digital Marketing and Strategy.
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In this episode, James Akers interviews the Digital Culture Network Tech Champions Katy Farrell and Nicola Barratt who specialise in Social Media.
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Music by SHAR