For publishers, that makes this a pivotal moment. Those who can demonstrate audio’s full impact have a chance to reset perceptions and capture a larger share of ad budgets.

A Measurement Reckoning

According to Edison Research’s Share of Ear, Q2 2025, Americans spend about four hours each day with audio. Yet audio continues to receive a disproportionately small share of ad budgets. eMarketer reports that audio accounts for 21% of media time but just 4.5% of total media investment.

Without better measurement tools, publishers risk seeing the medium remain undervalued in an environment where advertisers increasingly demand proof of impact. This growing demand for accountability has set the stage for a new marketing model that bridges the gap between reach and results.

Why Brandformance Matters

Brandformance combines the emotional pull of brand advertising with the accountability of performance marketing. Marketers are moving past the old divide between brand and performance. They’re embracing this hybrid model, which ties long-term brand-building to measurable outcomes.

In short, brandformance means campaigns should not only build recognition but also prompt measurable action. Oxford Road’s Q1 2025 study, The Sound of Growth, found that audio advertising drives an average of 18% of branded search volume, with some brands seeing the number climb above 40% when campaigns are sustained.

In today’s environment of stricter privacy rules and rising consumer expectations, this dual focus is essential. Only measurement that captures both brand impact and direct response can show audio’s full potential. In other words, brandformance proves that what builds your brand can also drive your business, and audio is uniquely positioned to deliver both.

Audio’s Unique Fit

Audio is particularly well-suited to this approach. Its immersive quality allows advertisers to build emotional connections, while its flexibility enables clear calls to action. Nielsen podcast brand lift studies have shown that audio ads can improve brand recommendation by +6%.

For publishers, positioning audio within this full-funnel context is essential. Demonstrating how campaigns build brands while also driving measurable actions strengthens credibility and deepens advertiser trust.

Resetting the Measurement Stack

Meeting this moment requires more than a new mindset. Publishers need systems that link listening to results—without compromising privacy.

Advances in attribution are helping publishers close the loop between audio exposure and listener action. AdsWizz’s AudioPixel allows advertisers to measure performance in real time within an audio-first environment.

AdsWizz has also developed formats like ShakeMe, which lets listeners interact with an ad by shaking their device, making engagement trackable even without on-screen interaction. Another feature, Second Screen, links audio ads with display campaigns by targeting listeners on the same device or within the same household (where allowed). This reinforces messaging and improves response rates.

Together, these tools show how audio is evolving from a medium long associated with reach and awareness to one that delivers clear, measurable outcomes across the funnel.

Protecting Privacy Provides an Advantage

The advertising industry has spent the past few years adjusting to regulations like GDPR in Europe and CCPA in California. At the same time, consumers have become more aware of how their data is collected and used.

For publishers, acknowledging this shift can often be a strength rather than a setback. Privacy-supportive approaches such as Comscore Predictive Audiences, offered through AdsWizz, make it possible to reach aggregated, contextual audience segments defined predictively from consumption patterns rather than relying on individual-level data. This allows advertisers to stay data-driven while fully respecting privacy requirements. By demonstrating the ability to combine meaningful audience insights with privacy protection, publishers can unlock premium budgets and foster long-term advertiser relationships.

What Publishers Should Do Now

The opportunity is real, but it demands decisive action. Publishers that move now can close the measurement gap and position audio as a core, results-driven channel within the media mix.

Publishers looking to lead the reset should:

1. Audit existing measurement practices and identify gaps
2. Invest in attribution systems that connect listening to actions
3. Educate advertisers about audio’s evolving measurement capabilities
4. Partner with a tech platform (such as AdsWizz) that provides transparent tools and works seamlessly within regulatory requirements

Redefining Audio Advertising Through Brandformance

The measurement reset is redefining what success looks like in the audio era. For too long, this medium has been judged by outdated standards that fail to capture its full impact. With brandformance as the guiding framework and modern tools to back it up, publishers can demonstrate that audio drives both brand power and business results.

Those who embrace this shift will not only secure more investment today, but they will shape the next generation of audio advertising built on accountability, creativity, and growth.

This is the moment for publishers and advertisers to work together to prove audio’s full impact.

Reach out today to learn how we can partner on building measurement solutions that prove audio’s full impact.

by Alexandra Ilie, Senior Product Marketing Manager

The post The Great Measurement Reset: Audio’s Brandformance Moment appeared first on AdsWizz.

Beyond the Basics: First-Party Data and Contextual Targeting in Action

The key isn’t just knowing what someone likes—it’s understanding when and how to deliver a message that resonates and creates meaningful connections. Instead of relying on broad strokes, brands and publishers today should harness first-party data and contextual intelligence to create and deliver hyper-targeted, privacy-compliant ad experiences. 

For example, it’s now possible to combine location targeting with weather insights for an even more focused and personal approach. If it’s a rainy day in a specific neighborhood, food delivery apps can reach listeners staying in, while auto service brands can target regions hit by storms with reminders for repairs or checks. By tapping into real-world context, audio ads don’t just show up at the right time—they actually make sense in the moment, feeling more like helpful tips and less like background noise.

Why First-Party Data is More Valuable than Ever

With more users opting out of traditional tracking, first-party data has become the gold standard for delivering relevant ads—without compromising privacy. Brands and publishers that leverage their own data—such as listening behavior, purchase history, and preferences—can deliver personalized messages without relying on third-party cookies.

And the impact is clear:

• 71% of brands, agencies, and publishers are expanding their first-party data strategies, moving away from their historically heavy reliance on third-party audiences.
• Brands adopting personalization have grown by 50%, with budgets increasing by 29% in 2024 compared to the previous year.
• Culturally relevant ads generate a 156% greater emotional impact, according to a study by MAGNA Media Trials and SiriusXM Media, “Challenging the ‘One & Done’ Approach: Connecting Culturally Through Digital Audio.

The best part? With first-party data, publishers regain control of all online interactions across their content. At the same time, brands can use highly relevant touchpoints for their messaging, making it a win-win for both parties. 

Contextual Targeting is Refining the Moment, Not Just the Audience

Having data is just the first step—what really matters is how you put it to work. A great ad should feel like a natural part of the experience, not something that disrupts it. Think about it: Delivering an ad for a sunrise yoga retreat to listeners streaming a meditation playlist can hit all the right notes–and feel downright serendipitous. Contextual targeting has evolved far beyond simply aligning ads with general content categories. Modern platforms now ensure ads fit the content but also the listener’s mindset and environment. With 60% of targeting dimensions on AdsWizz’s platform already contextual—based on impressions run on the platform—it’s clear that hyper-relevant messaging is the new norm.

This is where contextual targeting truly shines, allowing brands to craft hyper-relevant ads that feel seamless, timely, and genuinely useful to listeners.

Mood-based targeting

Music sets the tone for how people feel—whether that’s pumped up, chilled out, or somewhere in between. Studies show that during stressful periods, listeners actively turn to music as a coping mechanism, reinforcing the idea that audio content is deeply tied to emotional states. The AdsWizz mood library has over 60 million songs across nine mood segments, including one called Angsty—because sometimes you just need to embrace the vibe. Imagine someone blasting some Metallica, the last thing they want is a bubbly ad for cherry-flavored lipgloss. The right ad at the right time doesn’t just resonate—it respects the mood.

Weather-based targeting

Weather shapes moods, cravings, and shopping decisions. A cold, rainy Friday evening? Perfect for a cozy comfort food delivery ad. A high UV index? A well-timed reminder to grab that sunscreen. And when temperatures drop at higher altitudes, it’s the ideal moment to nudge listeners toward warm sweaters or ski boots.

Our platform updates live weather data every 60 minutes, ensuring ad messaging aligns with real-time conditions. By staying relevant in the moment, brands can personalize their approach and maximize impact—because no one wants to hear about ice-cold lemonade when they’re snowed in.

Location-based targeting

Location targeting isn’t just about hitting a city or zip code anymore—it’s about meeting listeners exactly where they are. You wouldn’t find an ad for snow boots useful when you’re sweltering at an outdoor summer concert, now would you? Our platform goes beyond standard geographic targeting with precision tools that let advertisers reach people down to a concert venue, a student campus, or even a vintage fair. With real-time data, location-based targeting makes ads feel appropriate and, most importantly, valuable. 

Podcast Contextual Targeting

Not all podcast listeners are created equal. Some are crunching finance news, others are knee-deep in true crime, and a select few are fully committed to the art of artisanal sourdough. But here’s the thing—just because someone’s tuning into a day-trading podcast doesn’t mean they’re not shopping for hiking boots.

Through our partnership with Comscore, we go beyond podcast genres to match consumer preferences with real behavioral insights. With over 300 audience segments spanning TV viewership, gaming habits, life stages, and more, you’re not just casting a wide net—you’re dropping your line exactly where the right listeners are biting.

Bringing It All Together: Smarter, More Relevant Audio Ads

The days of one-size-fits-all audio advertising are over. The real magic happens when first-party data meets contextual targeting, creating privacy-friendly, high-impact campaigns that actually make listeners pay attention—without feeling like an interruption.

The brands winning in 2025 and beyond won’t be the ones using contextual targeting at a surface level—they’ll be the ones refining it, using it dynamically, and making every impression count. If you’re not already embracing these strategies, now is the time to start.

Ready to Take Your Audio Advertising to the Next Level?

Download The State of Audio Adtech Report 2025 for more exclusive insights on the latest trends and strategies shaping the future of digital audio.

by Alexandra Ilie, Senior Product Marketing Manager

The post How First-Party Data and Contextual Targeting Are Transforming Audio Ads in 2025 appeared first on AdsWizz.