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In advertising, it’s crucial to maintain efficiency and cost-effectiveness through every campaign. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting with programmatic advertising, finding the best deal for programmatic TV ads is essential. In this blog post, you’ll learn about the intricacies of programmatic TV and how you can uncover the best paths, platforms, and strategies to maximize your advertising budget.
Typical paths to programmatic TV ad buying
Programmatic advertising has revolutionized how businesses reach their target audience on television and has become an increasingly popular marketing approach. So far, in 2023, 87% of connected TV (CTV) ads have been bought using programmatic methods. That percentage is expected to continue rising as more advertisers take advantage of this buying method.
To find the best deal for cheap programmatic TV, it’s essential to understand the typical paths to programmatic media buying: direct deals and programmatic auctions.
Direct deals
One common route for programmatic ad buying is direct deals with publishers and broadcasters. This approach gives you more control over your ad placements, allowing you to negotiate pricing and secure prime time slots. However, this method can be expensive as premium placements often have a premium price tag.
Programmatic auctions
Another option is programmatic auctions, where advertisers bid on available ad inventory in real time. These auctions can be public or private, each with its own benefits.
Public auction
Public auctions are the primary marketplace for cheap programmatic TV ad buying, and advertisers compete in real-time for available ad slots. This option can be cost-effective if you are strategic with bidding. However, it can be highly competitive, which could drive up prices.
Private auction
A private auction provides a more controlled bidding environment. These auctions offer access to premium inventory and the ability to negotiate directly with publishers and broadcasters. Prices are typically higher at private auctions, but they can lead to more exclusive, high-quality ad placements to better reach your target audiences.
Auction vs. direct
The auction vs. direct debate is crucial for finding the best deal in programmatic TV advertising. Direct programmatic ad buying involves establishing personal relationships with publishers and broadcasters. This approach offers more control over ad placements, creates the potential for long-term partnerships and premium positions, and allows for more negotiation power on pricing.
On the other hand, the auction route relies on real-time programmatic auctions that give advertisers more efficiency, dynamic pricing through competitive bidding, and access to diverse ad inventory. This approach also allows better data-driven decision-making to help advertisers with precise targeting and optimization.
What platforms can your programmatic ads show on?
Programmatic ads are limited to traditional television. You can use various platforms to broaden your audience reach, including blogs, lifestreams, and more. Multiple platform options also let advertisers search around for cheap programmatic ad buys.
Some popular platforms include:
- Display and video
- YouTube videos
- Custom publisher formats
- Audio ads
Unexpected platforms where you can buy programmatic TV ads
Some unexpected platforms offer unique opportunities to find the best programmatic TV deals. Some of these examples include:
- YouTube shorts
- Mobile games
- Music streaming apps
- TikTok
Try local
Local (linear) television advertising often flies under the radar, but it can be a goldmine for finding cheap programmatic ad buys. Customize your messages to local audiences by focusing on specific geographic regions. This level of specificity can lead to highly efficient ad campaigns with lower costs compared to national or global placements.
Where to get started with programmatic TV buying
When it comes to programmatic TV ad buying, you have two main options: using an agency or going directly to the marketplace.
Using an agency
Advertising agencies have the expertise to navigate the complexities of programmatic TV ad buying. By working with one, you may be able to find better deals and get help negotiating terms and optimizing your campaigns. However, remember that agency fees could take up a large portion of your budget.
Going to the marketplace
For a more hands-on approach, you can explore programmatic ad buying directly through the marketplace. This approach gives you direct control over your campaigns and the ability to explore different deals and platforms. However, you’ll want to understand programmatic advertising strongly to ensure you make the most of the marketplace.
How to optimize your bids for smarter ad spend
Finding the best deal doesn’t end with choosing the right options for programmatic buying. You need to focus on smart bidding strategies to optimize your advertising budget.
Choose placement based on segmentation
Segmentation is vital to maximizing your ad spend. By targeting the specific audience segments most likely to convert, you can make the most of your budget. Platforms often offer options to narrow your audience based on behavior, interests, and demographics.
Work with an identity resolution provider
Identity resolution is the process of matching online and offline customer data, giving you a comprehensive view of your target audience. By working with an identity resolution provider, you can make informed decisions about where and when to place your programmatic TV ads for the best results.
Create an omnichannel view of your campaign
To find the best deals on cheap programmatic ads, it’s essential to have an omnichannel view of your advertising campaign. By coordinating your programmatic media with other channels, you can create a seamless and cohesive brand experience for your audience.
Get started with programmatic TV today
Now that you better understand programmatic TV ad buying, you’re ready to get started. But how can Experian help you make the most of your programmatic advertising efforts?
At Experian, we offer a suite of data-driven solutions to enhance your programmatic TV advertising campaigns. Our extensive data and identity resolution capabilities empower you to make informed decisions to improve your targeting capabilities, optimize engagement, and more. By working together, you can unlock the potential of your programmatic TV ads and find the best deals to optimize your advertising budget.
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CASL will come into force in phases starting July 1, 2014 The information below should not be considered legal advice. Please consult with appropriate legal counsel before relying upon the compliance information provided below. As of December 2013 both regulators responsible for implementing Canada’s Anti-Spam Law have finalized their regulations. Industry Canada’s guidelines confirm all but one of the expected exemptions, provide needed clarifications to key requirements and delay implementation of the more controversial aspects of the law. Over the past two years we have been updating you on CASL’s developments and efforts by industry groups to address unclear or onerous aspects of its proposed regulations. With Industry Canada confirming all but one expected exemptions and providing detailed guidance in its Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement, marketers should now have an easier time preparing. Here is a summary of key points for Industry Canada’s final regulations: i. CASL will be implemented in three phases: a. The majority of CASL comes into force July 1, 2014; b. The rules that apply to computer programs will come into force January 15, 2015; and c. The private right of action takes effect on July 1, 2017. ii. Industry Canada has provided interpretive guidance on several issues under CASL, including: a. The definition of a "CEM"; b. The application of CASL to express consent obtained before CASL comes into force; c. The application of CASL to IP addresses and cookies; and d. The interaction between the unsubscribe requirement and implied consent. iii. New exceptions have been added for: a. Closed platforms, which would appear to apply to platforms such as BlackBerry Messenger and social medial networks; b. Limited-access accounts, where organizations communicate directly with recipients (e.g., online banking); c. Messages targeted at foreign persons; and d. Fundraising by charities and political parties. A surprising exclusion of the ‘Reasonable Knowledge’ exemption In its draft regulations, Industry Canada sought to exempt foreign senders in instances where the sender could not reasonably know that the message would be received in Canada, particularly when the recipient does not typically access email within Canada or through Canadian systems.[1] However, in its final rulemaking the Department chose to nix this exemption as “unnecessary,” choosing instead to exempt messages routed through Canada into a foreign state. [2] This omission may create challenges for marketers in situations where it’s not possible or practical to collect country of origin information.[3] We expect further clarification on this concern from Canadian regulators in the coming months. For detailed information please visit the Canadian Government’s informational website. For summary information please see the following links: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=798829 http://blog.deliverability.com/2013/12/canadas-anti-spam-law-casl-is-now-a-done-deal.html http://www.cauce.org/2013/12/canadas-anti-spam-law-coming-into-force-june-2014.html If you would like to discuss CASL’s email-related issues, please email us at digitalprivacy@experian.com or reach out to us through your account teams. [1] Archived http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2013/2013-01-05/html/reg1-eng.html [2] See Limited Exclusions section of Industry Canada’s Regulatory Risk Impact Assessment, http://fightspam.gc.ca/eic/site/030.nsf/eng/00271.html [3] If a consumer uses a global inbox provider like Google a sender will be challenged to determine where the email is accessed. And since reverse IP geo-location records may be outdated or inaccurate, new technologies and customer self-identification processes may be needed.