Check out this new article in The Drum by Dave Sosson, Senior Manager, Business Development, Programmatic Demand North America!

For years, advertisers relied on the “rule of three,” the belief that hearing an ad three times was enough to make it stick. The idea came from early research on effective frequency, later formalized by Michael J. Naples in a 1979 ANA report, which suggested that just a few well-timed exposures could drive impact. It was a simple, sellable concept that worked well in an analog world.

Today, that logic doesn’t quite hold up. Listeners move easily between platforms, playlists, and podcasts, often within the same hour. Attention is scattered, but measurement has never been sharper.

The post Building a Data-Driven Standard for Digital Audio Frequency appeared first on AdsWizz.

When Audio Took the Main Stage

The energy carried into Turning Up the Volume on Audio Ads, a panel featuring Will Doherty, SVP of Inventory Partnerships at The Trade Desk; Emma Vaughn, Global Head of Podcast Advertising and Business Development at Spotify; Mike Chevallier, VP of Advanced Audio and Data Revenue at iHeartMedia; and Steven Kritzman, SVP and Head of Sales at SiriusXM Media.

They discussed how audio connects during screenless moments like commuting, cooking, and working out—those everyday times when people are most tuned in. Steven Kritzman summed it up best: “Audio captures 25% of consumers’ media time, yet only 8% of ad spend.” The room went quiet. That gap has been there for years, but it finally feels like the industry is ready to close it.

As Steven described how audio moves with us throughout the day, from the first podcast over coffee to the playlist that carries us home, it hit me that no other medium stays this close. Audio feels personal. It is part of our rhythm. To keep growing, it needs what every other channel already has: transparency, automation, and proof of performance.

Where Automation Meets Imagination

Walking out of that session, it was clear that audio’s future depends on what happens next. The real opportunity lies in how technology can lift creativity instead of getting in its way.

We see that vision come to life every day through the work we do with our partners.

Our technology was part of a campaign recognized as a finalist for Best Use of Technology by an Agency at The 2025 AdExchanger Awards. A Middlesex County NJ campaign used AdsWizz’s AudioPixel, Second Screen retargeting, contextual podcast targeting, and programmatic host-read ads in NPR’s TED Radio Hour to reach decision-makers in autonomous tech, life sciences, and food innovation.

The campaign showed what’s possible when technology supports creative intent instead of dictating it. It offered a glimpse of where programmatic audio is heading.

We build technology that supports creativity. When data and imagination work together, audio moves beyond reach and frequency to create real resonance. The AdsWizz platform helps advertisers plan precisely, measure clearly, and deliver moments that connect.

Safety, Suitability, and Trust

Across adtech, brand safety has become one of the most important conversations. Advertisers want transparency and control across every environment where their messages appear. That focus aligns with the work we’ve done through brand safety for advertisers, which we’ve built in collaboration with partners like Barometer, ArtsAI, and Comscore.

We combine AI transcription with contextual analysis to help advertisers understand content before they buy it. Instead of blunt keyword blocking, our system reads the room. It interprets tone, sentiment, and relevance so brands show up where their message fits and where audiences are ready to listen.

That kind of precision cuts waste and improves efficiency. Every impression works harder. Every placement connects to purpose. Brands can reach the right people in the right context without losing sight of responsibility or creativity.

Safety used to mean just playing it safe. Now it means showing up in the moments that matter most.

A Medium Ready for Its Moment

Leaders from the Turning Up the Volume on Audio Ads panel all echoed the same idea: 2026 will be the year of audio. The numbers back it up. Edison Research’s The Infinite Dial 2025 reports that 76% of Americans ages 12 and up listen to digital audio monthly, the highest level ever recorded. According to Statista, global podcast advertising revenue is projected to reach US $3.56 billion in 2025, showing how audience growth is driving meaningful commercial momentum worldwide.

But numbers tell only part of the story. Growth won’t come from more tech alone. It will come from conviction. Marketers need to put audio at the center of their strategies. Buyers should expect the same rigor they demand from CTV or display. The technology is ready. The measurement is mature. What we need next is belief in the power of sound to move people.

At AdsWizz, we’re helping shape that future by advancing programmatic infrastructure, improving measurement, and building trust through transparency. Real progress in audio comes from efficiency, accountability, and imagination working together.

A Future Built on Sound

As I stepped out of the Marriott Marquis into the noise of Times Square, I kept thinking about how far this medium has evolved.

The future of audio advertising won’t be driven by louder messages. It will grow from sharper insights, stronger values, and more creative thinking. The industry is learning to listen.

Want to see what’s next in programmatic audio? Connect with the AdsWizz team.

by Garrison Dua, VP of Demand, North America

The post How Programmatic Audio Became the Star of Programmatic I/O 2025 New York appeared first on AdsWizz.

Take a look at this new piece in The Drum by Dave Sosson, Senior Manager, Business Development, Programmatic Demand North America!

The podcast industry has moved well beyond its scrappy, audio-only roots. What began as a niche format has grown into a multi-platform ecosystem. Audiences still tune in to hear their favorite hosts, but now they’re also watching full episodes on YouTube, following clips on social media, showing up to live events, and engaging with the brands behind the content.

The post Podcast Advertising Has Gone Omnichannel appeared first on AdsWizz.

Take a look at this new piece in The Drum by Dave Sosson, Senior Manager, Business Development, Programmatic Demand North America!

Podcasts are booming. Smart speakers are everywhere. Streaming is mainstream. But buying by show or platform is no longer enough. It’s not about where your ad runs. It’s about understanding who is listening, what they’re doing, and why that moment matters. Advertisers must shift toward a behavioral, contextual, and moment-driven approach—a strategy rooted in understanding listeners, not just inventory.

The post From Passive Plays to Performance: Rethink Audio With an Audience-First Mindset appeared first on AdsWizz.

Key Takeaways

Scalability and Simplified Activation Through Programmatic Buying

Scaling direct, host-read podcast ads has traditionally been challenging, but programmatic solutions now offer audience-based buys that increase reach and efficiency while preserving the personalized touch. This technology also simplifies activation, allowing advertisers to quickly launch campaigns and integrate podcast ads into broader media strategies for maximum impact.

Ensuring Brand Safety

Brand safety concerns are being addressed through AI-powered contextual targeting and third-party verification from partners like Comscore. This technology ensures advertisers can confidently place ads without worrying about inappropriate content.

Measurable Results and Performance

Podcast ads are proven to deliver exceptional performance, with conversion rates 2x better and click-through rates 6x higher than traditional display ads. Tools like AudioPixel provide sophisticated tracking for measuring brand lift, foot traffic, and overall campaign success.

Podcasts Complement Other Media

Podcast ads complement other media channels, especially when combined with social media and Connected TV (CTV). This integrated approach drives higher recall and message association, significantly boosting campaign effectiveness.

Did You Miss Us at the MediaPost Planning and Buying Insider Summit? 

In conclusion, the MediaPost Planning & Buying Insider Summit highlighted the growing impact of podcast advertising. With high engagement, scalable programmatic solutions, and strong brand safety measures, podcasts are an effective channel for reaching audiences. AdsWizz showcased how its tools simplify ad activation and boost performance, making podcasts essential in future media planning.

• Here are the slides we presented for your reference. 
• Ready to take your advertising to the next level? Contact us to discover how AdsWizz can expand your digital audio presence!
  

by 

Robyn Meyers, Vice President, Programmatic and Marketplace Partnerships 

and

Dave Sosson, Senior Manager, Business Development, Programmatic Demand

The post MediaPost Planning and Buying Insider Summit 2024 Recap appeared first on AdsWizz.

Check out this latest piece published in The Drum by Dave Sosson, Senior Manager, Business Development, Programmatic Demand North America!

As more people turn to podcasts for entertainment, education, and inspiration, advertisers have quickly recognized the unique opportunity to reach highly engaged listeners. Podcasting has rapidly emerged as a powerful mainstream media channel, captivating vast and diverse audiences. However, many brands are still only scratching the surface when it comes to maximizing their podcast campaigns. The rise of advanced audio adtech is set to change that—unlocking new levels of efficiency, precision targeting, and measurability in podcast advertising with unprecedented effectiveness.

The post Podcast Advertising Strategies for the Modern Marketer appeared first on AdsWizz.

Dave’s experience spans five years in digital audio and fifteen years before that in roles across programmatic video, gaming, and integrated display media. Dave works on the AudioMatic DSP team, providing agencies and brands access to technology to deploy comprehensive digital audio campaigns spanning streaming audio and podcasts.

With all the changes in digital audio and the constant shifts in consumer behavior, how has programmatic demand evolved to keep up?

We’ve observed significant advancements in measurement techniques, particularly within our audio DSP platform. By integrating attribution, we now have the capability to monitor up to eight distinct online conversion events, commonly referred to in the industry as “hear-through.” This means that even if a listener hears an audio advertisement and later converts through another medium—like converting via search or social media at the office after their mass transit commute—we can still link the conversion back to the original audio ad. So, in the past, this had been a miss for audio. Now, we can tie audio and online conversions back to audio ads.

 

We also provide Second-Screen Retargeting (audio-to-display that gives more down-funnel metrics to examine the response), integrated AI transcription that automatically and intelligently transcribes and categorizes podcast episodes, and, lastly, block listening capabilities that stop fraudulent domains and malicious IPs.

Do you think advertisers should compare audio metrics to other forms of digital media?

The good news is that we can really start to compare engagement. A unified attribution strategy focused on site-driven metrics allows us to compare apples to apples. That said, comparing audio to a browser-based environment like display or online video can be challenging. Because audio advertising is deployed in a player-based environment, the comparisons will not apply on a pure apples-to-apples basis.

How would you help advertisers make sense of their performance data and take appropriate actions based on those insights?

We recommend using a bespoke approach with advertisers as we examine the different creative tools we can access. We want to ensure we’ve gotten as granular as possible from an audience perspective while balancing efficiency and detailed segmentation within the AudioMatic platform. For example, suppose we have a product for which we know the advertiser is looking to show action via mobile. In that case, we recommend utilizing the ShakeMe interactive unit.

Just shifting focus, could you discuss the role of the relationship among publishers, advertisers, and technology partners in driving the success of programmatic demand efforts?

We want the platform to be as robust and flexible as possible. We collaborate closely with our publisher partner teams to convey our clients’ demand needs (i.e., Automated Host-Read Ads and Multicultural Inventory access). We also have monthly (sometimes twice monthly) meetings with our agency partners utilizing the platform. Then, we can communicate that information regarding what we’re hearing so that what’s available lines up with what we’re being asked from the market.

Any standout examples of partnerships that come to mind?

We have some great case studies that speak to these metrics. Campaigns like Sea-Doo achieved a call-to-action rate of over 2% with Second Screen Retargeting, significantly outperforming the .05% rate typical of display advertising. With ShakeMe, we see averages of around 0.7% to 2.5%.

Moving to a topic that has implications across all facets of digital, how has your team adapted to keep up with recent changes in privacy law?

We’re not exactly sure when cookies will be a thing of the past. Still, when Google finally starts to deprecate cookies in Chrome at scale, many things will continue to evolve and become more accessible and privacy-friendly. We’ve been concentrating heavily on contextual targeting. It is a comprehensive and effective strategy, particularly in podcast advertising, where we have developed considerable expertise. 

For example, Predictive Audiences is a cookie-less, privacy-friendly solution that combines AI transcription technology with contextual data via direct publisher connections in concert with 300-plus audiences from Comscore. Also, great things are happening on the music side, such as Mood Targeting, which helps brands better connect with audiences by reaching them while listening to music that matches the mood of the song they are listening to.

Are there any best practices you recommend for ensuring compliance with data privacy laws?

I think a crucial piece is that it has to do with first-party data. There’s always an interest in utilizing it. And so if that’s something that an advertiser has, and they want to use it as a means for reaching their customer base, then we need to be working with a partner as we do here (like with LiveRamp) so that we know we’re doing that in a compliant way. So, there are partners in the space where we can collaborate with our advertising partners to ensure compliance.

Let’s talk about the future of digital audio, particularly with programmatic. Do you see any key trends on the horizon?

Synthetic Voice combined with Dynamic Creative Optimization (DCO) to beta test ads. For example, if an advertiser wants to test different calls-to-action, we can create ads in real-time with Synthetic Voice technology to test different spot lengths. This can be coupled with our ability to view available inventory in real-time in custom dashboards built into our DSP platform. So, when you test different audio ads very (in terms of cost and investment) coupled with real-time availability, it is evident that audio is more than just a branding medium.

How about agencies? What’s one bit of advice you would give to an agency partner?

I think the most important thing that I would say is to take a holistic view of audio as an advertising vehicle. So, again, factoring in audience segmentation at scale, viewing it through a real-time availability lens, integrating attribution, and then utilizing creative solutions like Second-Screen Retargeting and ShakeMe.

Looking Ahead

My conversation with Dave was a testament to the innovative spirit and problem-solving ingenuity that drives the Adswizz mission. As we navigate the intricacies of programmatic audio advertising, it’s clear that the future holds immense possibilities. Together, we are setting the stage for an era of audio advertising that is more dynamic, effective, and connected than ever before.

Contact us today to learn more about AudioMatic and the audio advertising strategies that can help you achieve maximum audience engagement! 

By Daniel Einhorn, Senior Manager, Content Marketing

The post Shaping the Future of Audio Advertising appeared first on AdsWizz.