December 2023

7 Questions to Ask Your Digital Advertising Vendors

Posted on 12/31/202304/24/2024 by Sierra Ducey

The decision to outsource your digital advertising is not one that can be taken lightly. And with so many different digital advertising vendors, it can be difficult to know which is the best partner for your organization’s needs, budget, and goals.

Taking the time to thoroughly interview digital advertising vendors before reaching a decision can give you more confidence and peace of mind in your final choice. Not sure where to begin when it comes to interviewing prospective digital advertising vendors? We’ve compiled a list of thoughtful questions that can provide you with the insight you need moving forward.

1. Have You Worked in My Industry Before?

No matter what industry you may find yourself in, it likely has its own unique quirks and challenges. Working with a digital advertising vendor that has specific experience in your industry can provide you with a serious advantage over the competition.

This isn’t to say that you should automatically write off an advertising vendor who hasn’t worked directly within your industry, but it does mean that you should take a harder look at how (and if) the vendor’s strategies and experience will align with your goals.

On the other hand, if the advertising vendor you’re speaking with has worked with other companies in your industry, don’t hesitate to ask them for case studies or specific examples of their work. You may also want to inquire about industry-specific programs or tools they may use in their campaigns. This can help you get a better feel for what to expect if you decide to work with them.

2. What Kind of Data and Analytics Do You Provide?

Of course you want to stay in-the-know when it comes to how your organization’s advertising dollars are being spent and what kinds of returns you’re seeing. However, digital advertising vendors can vary greatly in their level of transparency and reporting.

This is why it’s so important to ask about this up-front. Specifically, you’ll want to find out what kinds of data and analytics will be provided for you—as well as how often you should expect this kind of reporting. Staying on top of these metrics will help you get a better idea of how your advertising agency is putting your money to use and what kind of return on investment (ROI) you’re seeing on different campaigns.

3. How Much Can I Stay Involved?

All business owners have different preferences when it comes to how involved (or hands-off) they want to be with their digital advertising strategies. With this in mind, it’s important to find a digital advertising vendor that will allow you to maintain the level of involvement with the process that you prefer.

For example, if you like to maintain a bit more control over your advertising campaigns and how the money is being spent, you’ll want to work with a vendor that will run ideas and campaigns past you for approval or feedback before anything is implemented.

Likewise, if you don’t want to be faced with these kinds of decisions, then you’ll want to work with a vendor that will allow you to take more of a hands-off approach and make more decisions on your behalf.

4. What Kind of Communication Can I Expect?

Communication is arguably the most important consideration when interviewing digital advertising vendors. If you have a question or concern about your digital advertising strategy, you should be able to get in touch with somebody who can help you as promptly as possible. Of course, not all vendors are created equal when it comes to their communication styles.

Before you interview any digital advertising vendors, take some time to consider what kind of communication is most important to you. Do you prefer to be updated on the status of your campaigns weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly? You’ll also want to think about how you wish to be contacted; is an in-depth phone call preferred, or are texts and emails more convenient?

You can usually tell a lot about a digital advertising vendor’s communication style in how they handle setting up your initial interview/consultation. Still, it’s important to get communication commitments in writing before you sign a contract. You’ll also want to make sure you have at least one dedicated point-of-contact that you know by name and can reach out to with questions/concerns at any time.

5. What Exact Services Do You Offer?

While many digital advertising vendors more-or-less offer similar services, it’s never a bad idea to ask for a detailed breakdown of these offerings so you know exactly what’s available to you. This is especially important if you need help with a specific type of advertising. Some advertising vendors may have a very narrow range of specialties, whereas others may offer more “one-size-fits-all” generic solutions.

6. What Are Your Specific Credentials?

These days, many digital advertising professionals are self-taught. However, this doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t have some concrete credentials to speak of. If you’re looking for an advertising vendor to help with your paid search advertising, for example, you may want to look for a professional (or team of professionals) with Google Ads credentials such as being part of the Premier Google Partner Program. Likewise, finding a vendor who is certified in Facebook Blueprint may be ideal if you’re looking to expand your paid social media advertising scope.

Advertising vendors who are certified in specific advertising strategies or platforms have likely had to undergo specialized training and may have even had to pay to take (and pass) an examination. This can give you some added peace of mind as you make your decision.

7. What if I’m Not Happy?

Last but not least, be sure to inquire about what steps will be taken if you’re unhappy with your digital advertising services at any given time. A reputable vendor should stand behind their work and take measures to correct problems as they arise. Make sure that any kind of “money-back guarantee” or other satisfaction guarantee is included in your written contract, too.

Digilant is Different from other Digital Advertising Vendors

Choosing the right digital advertising vendor for your growing business can be difficult, but your efforts will pay off. And when you choose digital advertising services through our experienced team at Digilant, you can rest assured that we have the tools, resources, and know-how to make your campaigns a success.

We know that the one-size-fits-all model usually doesn’t fit all which is why we utilize extensive research and analysis paid with marketing intelligence technology to enhance the strategy, creativity, and human element behind our work. We understand the trust our clients place within our team which is why winning client service has and always will be one of our four key principles that define how we approach our work. Whether you are just starting your digital advertising journey or you are looking for a change in digital advertising vendors, we are eager to talk with you about how our team of digital advertising experts can accelerate your digital advertising goals.

2024 Partner Predictions with Oracle Advertising

Posted on 12/19/202301/02/2024 by The Digilant Team

Continuing our 2024 Partner Predictions series, the Digilant team sat down with Brent Gaskamp, VP of Platform Partnerships at Oracle Advertising. With third-party cookie deprecation on the horizon (set to take place in late 2024), Brent discussed the proactive measures the industry is taking to prepare for the shift, shedding light on what advertisers may see in terms of measurement, consumer trends, audience targeting, and more. Let’s dive in!

The new year is a big one for our industry as Google will deprecate third-party cookies. What can agencies do today to prepare for deprecation as it pertains to audience targeting?

“As brands, advertisers, agencies, platforms, and data providers, we have a duty to consumers to protect their privacy. I think it starts there fundamentally.” – Brent Gaskamp, VP of Platform Partnerships at Oracle

As the use of third-party cookies grew, they came under scrutiny as user privacy concerns increased throughout the years. Apple became one of the first companies to implement changes to its browser and operating systems to protect consumer privacy sparking a much larger, industry-wide conversation on third-party cookies and privacy. Google’s move to deprecate third-party cookies is arguably the final nail in the third-party cookie coffin.

Fortunately, advertisers have had time to prepare for the change since its initial announcement in 2019. So, how do advertisers and brands get the signals they need so that they can accomplish their goals, in a medium where consumers are spending their time?

Brent notes a significant shift toward cookieless environments, particularly in CTV and mobile. We are seeing that cookie environments are eroding since advertisers have been proactively investing in CTV and mobile solutions.

In terms of audience targeting, what changes should advertisers expect? For one, there may be new identifiers put in place and an increase in Mobile Ad IDs (MAIDS) as consumers continue to spend more time browsing and shopping on mobile devices. With new identifiers, the industry could experience more fragmentation – there won’t be a one-size fits all solution.

And with the primary focus on first-party data, Brent says we may see an increase in walled gardens, “whether it’s a paywall or a a login to access your social or streaming accounts, there’s a lot of first party user data out there that’s enabled brands and advertisers to reach consumers in a lot of different places.”

Overall, data collaboration in the industry will be paramount. Companies like Oracle are working to support multiple identifiers and leverage a broad array of non-cookie dependent data to provide advertisers the signals they need for success.

What considerations should advertisers keep in mind when attempting contextual brand safe advertising?

What’s important to note is that contextual advertising is not just about brand safety, but brand suitability. Brent cites an example where removing the word “knife” from brand safety criteria led to misguided targeting for a cooking-related product. While it is imperative for advertisements to appear in brand-safe environments free of negative and harmful content, advertisers must still consider the broad context of their ads to reduce missed opportunities. In today’s evolving video-centric landscape, consumers are increasingly engaged with more dynamic and interactive ads than ever before, and advertisers can use that to their advantage.

As we continue to move away from cookies, there is no more, as Brent says, “easy button” for advertisers to push. While complexity will remain in the post-cookie era, Brent says that “we have a toolbox, and there’s a lot of tools in it that our industry provides us.” In 2024 and beyond, the focus must gravitate towards understanding consumer engagement in different content environments and strategically sourcing inventory to achieve optimal outcomes for brands.

What do you think are some big bets that advertisers should keep their eyes on in 2024?

Last but not least: Oracle’s big bets in the new year.

As mentioned previously, an emphasis on first-party data will be prevalent as advertisers hone in on their third-party cookieless strategies. As such, retail media networks and advertising solutions powered by more enduring data signals like retail data will continue to be a driving force as they garner insights from customers.

Brent also anticipates a focus on frictionless buys for consumers. In the ongoing effort to improve the consumer experience, many platforms are allowing transactions immediately within their platform, reducing the amount of steps for a consumer to make a purchase. With less friction, advertisers can reach consumers to drive conversions as they are directly engaged with content.

Lastly, local and regional advertisers may start shifting their linear TV budgets to CTV inventory. Historically, this has been a limited and expensive option for these advertisers, but with the opportunities available for granular targeting in the CTV space, these advertisers may have more of a voice in their media buys.

We would like to extend a big thank you to Brent Gaskamp and the Oracle team for taking the time to chat with us!

4 Gaming and eSports Trends for 2024 and What it Means for Advertisers

Posted on 12/07/202312/12/2023 by Sierra Ducey

The broad adoption of smartphones has paved the way for many recent media habits; the rise of gaming and drastic growth in the gamer audience is one of the most significant. Consumers now have access to millions of free-to-play, multi-player, and arcade games, across all genres, all at the tap of a finger. As such, there are an estimated 3.09 billion active video game players across the globe. In the US, 80% of people play video games, resulting in a video game market size of $97.67 billion (2022).

Despite the tremendous growth, gaming is still overlooked by many advertisers. In 2022, gaming ad revenue only grew 7%, compared to 32% across CTV and 16% across social media. Often viewed as too “experimental,” advertisers are missing the power of video game marketing and a fantastic opportunity to reach vast groups of key audiences.

To underline why gaming should be mainstream in advertisers’ media plans, we’ve rounded up 4 key gaming trends that are sure to make an impact in the coming year. Along with an analysis, to help capitalize on these trends, we’re offering tangible solutions and tactics you can implement in your media strategy. Let’s dive in.

1. Mobile Playing Time Edges Out Time Spent in Other Gaming Platforms

As mentioned, mobile has been a significant propeller of the gaming industry; as such, we’d be remiss not to put it at the top of our list.

The vast majority of gamers, 64%, use their mobile device to play and engage and 12% of players exclusively use their mobile device. In the coming year, the average US adult will spend 25.5 minutes per day playing games on their mobile devices. In comparison, the same audience will spend 17.4 minutes and 18.2 minutes playing on desktops and consoles, respectively.

Opportunity: In-Game Mobile Ad Buys

Projections indicate that by 2027, advertisers will spend $9.86 billion on mobile gaming alone, not including any eSports content consumed on a mobile device. There’s ample opportunity to reach consumers as they engage in mobile games; however, there’s also great competition.

To stay ahead of competitors and drive success within in-game mobile ad buys, advertisers must ensure mobile ad buys aren’t lumped in with all other gaming ad buys. Mobile ads need to be strategically and methodically targeted and built for the mobile experience. Not only will this boost performance, but it will also improve the user experience, leaving a positive connotation between your brand and the consumers.

AudioMob, for example, offers non-intrusive audio ads that can be listened to while consumers play their favorite free-to-play mobile games. Because these are audio-only ads, the audience continues to play while the ad reads during unique moments in the game experience.

2. The Growth of eSports

Driven in popularity by younger generations, eSports are multiplayer games played in competitive environments with viewers, just as you would find in traditional sporting events. While some might question the direct comparison to “traditional sports,” the viewership numbers are nothing to scoff at. By 2025 year-end, eSports global viewership is expected to hit 640.8 million people, and 318.1 million of said group classify themselves as “eSports enthusiasts.”

As these games continue to rise in popularity, streaming platforms are looking for more ways to engage consumers outside of these live events. In the coming year, they will lean further into downloadable, on-demand content that consumers can watch at any time.

Opportunity: Video Ads on eSports Content

eSports has long offered ad opportunities during the actual event with arena, player, or team sponsorships. However, a more accessible way for advertisers to throw their hat into the ring is through video ads played either during live events or within the aforementioned, on-demand content.

Take Twitch for example. This live-streaming platform and gaming community offers various ad buys to reach 70 million monthly active users. They offer powerful formats such as cross-screen video ads played during live broadcasts, “homepage carousel ads” that are displayed front and center on the homepage alongside live-stream channel content, or “medium rectangle” ad formats to engage users as they browse for content to watch. Better yet, because Twitch is owned by Amazon, advertisers can engage Amazon’s first-party shopping data to target in-market users, interested in certain products.

3. Unique Ad Formats Offer a More Realistic, Less Intrusive Experience

Every advertiser faces the battle of reaching consumers without being intrusive or interrupting their user experience. A recent study found that 70% of consumers believe advertisers don’t respect their digital experience and 95% report that their content consumption is interrupted by intrusive ads. More than ever before, advertisers must work to complement the user experience with ads naturally incorporated into their viewing and media habits. Gaming is no exception.

Platforms, games, and providers are attracted to ad revenue but don’t want to deter audiences with intrusive ads throughout games. To remedy this, there is a focus on creating more unique formats that intrinsically incorporate brands into the gaming experience.

Opportunity: Ads Created for Video Game Environments

All this to say, don’t be turned off by ads placed within live content, like eSports, or mobile games. After all, they are a great introduction to video game marketing to engage with gaming audiences. However, as advertisers grow more comfortable with gaming, unique or interactive ad formats are a great next step. These are ads placed within video game environments that don’t disrupt the gameplay performance or experience.

More tangibly, consider a racing game. As players “drive” past out-of-home ads, these billboards will display your brand’s ad. Alternatively, a “soccer” game will display your brand’s messaging on the sideline boards, just as you would see in real-world soccer matches.

These ad formats offer a unique experience to players with all the same targeting and measurement solutions advertisers expect with more traditional gaming ad buys.

4. User-generated Content & AI Combine for Powerful Personalization

Gaming companies constantly iterate and improve games to keep players engaged and create community within their platforms. Today, one of the biggest developments enticing players is personalization through user-generated content (UGC). This is seen in various forms such as custom maps, skins, modules, or custom levels that players can build and share with other users.

Popular games such as Fortnite, Minecraft, Super Smash Bros, and Roblox have all implemented UGC offerings. Roblox is probably the most notable with this concept as it provides their 70.2 million daily active users with seemingly limitless options for their users to create and share various worlds and game types.

UGC is growing in popularity alongside progress being made within artificial intelligence, which is a match made in heaven. AI helps remove more tactical and tedious aspects of UGC, which in turn, streamlines the process, making it an accessible and easy-to-use feature for all gamers.

Opportunity: Leverage Gaming UGC with Influencers

More content from games simply yields more opportunities for brands to get their ads in front of consumers. Especially within these user-generated environments, there will be ample formats to create unique and custom ads personalized for the user.

However, this also opens new doors in the gaming influencer world. There’s a huge pool of gaming influencers with thousands, if not millions of followers on social media. As these influencers have more opportunities to create, feature, and promote UCG, it will draw more users to the games to try their unique features. More gamers means more viewers for advertisers.

Power Up Your Advertising Campaigns with Video Game Marketing

Whether you’ve dipped your toes into video game marketing or are eager to get started, our team is here to help reach your consumers among the growing gamer audience. Whether in-app, in-game, eSports or a combination, learn more about our comprehensive advanced gaming solutions here.