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 Garrison Dua, VP of Demand, North America!

In 2024, US digital audio ad spend reached $7.12bn, a 6.8% increase from the year before, according to eMarketer. If digital audio isn’t part of your media strategy, you’re leaving opportunity on the table.

At AdsWizz, I’ve seen this transformation firsthand. With automation, AI, dynamic creative, and privacy-safe targeting, audio has become one of the most agile and measurable tools in a marketer’s toolkit.

The post Why Smart Marketers Are Doubling Down on Digital Audio appeared first on AdsWizz.

With all this innovation, where should advertisers focus, what trends are shaping digital audio, and how can brands make the most of it?

To answer these questions, I sat down with Garrison Dua, VP of Demand at AdsWizz, to explore how advancements in audio adtech are transforming the industry and what advertisers should expect in the near future. 

Programmatic Audio Delivers Scale, Efficiency, and Personalization

How has programmatic audio advertising evolved, and what role does AdsWizz play in this transformation?

Garrison: Programmatic audio has grown exponentially, enabling advertisers to scale and optimize campaigns in real time. By leveraging automation, dynamic ad insertion (DAI), and host-read ads, brands can reach audiences in more engaging and efficient ways.

 

Additionally, advancements in AI-driven targeting and real-time bidding have further empowered advertisers to fine-tune messaging and maximize ROI. With increased personalization and seamless cross-platform integration, programmatic audio has become a vital part of any digital strategy aimed at connecting with today’s audiences.

Contextual and Privacy-First Targeting Are Redefining Relevance

What trends in audience targeting are shaping the future of audio advertising?

Garrison: We’re seeing a major shift toward first-party data and contextual targeting. At AdsWizz, 60% of our targeting dimensions are contextual, allowing advertisers to reach listeners based on mood, location, and even weather. This kind of hyper-relevant messaging enhances engagement while maintaining consumer trust.

 

Advancements in AI-driven contextual analysis are refining targeting precision, ensuring ads are both relevant and timed for maximum impact. As third-party cookies disappear, brands are turning to these advanced methods to engage consumers in a more meaningful, compliant way.

 

As brands navigate this terrain, they’re rethinking not just who they reach, but how they say it and when it hits. Dynamic creative optimization (DCO) and Synthetic Voice are reshaping audio advertising, allowing real-time testing of variations in tone, length, and calls to action. Combined with real-time inventory data from custom DSP dashboards, this agile, data-driven approach accelerates testing, cuts costs, and confirms audio as a high-performing channel.

Anonymized Data and Predictive Audiences Enable Safe Personalization

With privacy regulations tightening, how is AdsWizz ensuring advertisers can still deliver personalized campaigns?

Garrison: Privacy is a top priority. AdsWizz enables brands to maintain personalization without compromising user trust by leveraging anonymized data and predictive audiences. Through partnerships with behavioral intelligence firms, anonymized data helps predict audience demographics and preferences while ensuring personal information is never collected.

 

Comscore Predictive Audiences technology uses AI-driven models to segment and engage users in a privacy-safe manner, replacing traditional identifiers with data-backed insights.

 

To future-proof audience targeting, AdsWizz integrates with UID2 and ID5, ensuring advertisers can continue reaching their audiences in a cookieless world. Additionally, data clean rooms are providing a secure way to analyze and activate insights while maintaining transparency and compliance with privacy regulations.

Omnichannel Audio Is Breaking the Screen Barrier

How is the integration of audio with video and social media changing the digital advertising landscape?

Garrison: The lines between audio, video, and social media are blurring. Podcasts are often consumed on video platforms, and we’re seeing brands lean into this shift. By combining interactive audio ads with dynamic video placements, advertisers can create truly omnichannel experiences. Tools like second-screen retargeting and AudioPixel help unify these touchpoints—driving measurable outcomes, maintaining user privacy, and delivering personalized engagement across every screen.

AI, Automation, and Open Ecosystems Are Leading the Way

What’s next for AdsWizz and the broader audio adtech industry in 2025 and beyond?

Garrison Dua: Automation and AI will continue to drive efficiency, making campaigns smarter and more responsive. Programmatic podcast advertising is set to explode, and open ecosystems will gain traction over walled gardens. At AdsWizz, we’re focused on helping advertisers and publishers stay ahead of these shifts with cutting-edge tools that maximize engagement, brand safety, and monetization opportunities.

The Future of Audio Advertising: Smarter, More Personalized, and Already Here

After talking with Garrison, it’s clear that audio advertising is entering a new era, driven by automation, personalization, and seamless omnichannel integration. Brands that embrace programmatic innovation and privacy-first solutions will be the ones capturing audience attention in the most meaningful ways. With AdsWizz leading the charge, the future of digital audio isn’t just promising; it is already here.

Want to Dive Deeper into the Future of Audio Adtech? 

• Ready to collaborate on your next campaign? Let’s connect!
• Want to dive deeper into audio adtech? Download The State of Audio Adtech Report 2025 for the latest insights and innovations shaping digital audio.

by Daniel Einhorn, Senior Manager, Content Marketing

The post How to Win in the New Era of Digital Audio Advertising appeared first on AdsWizz.

Check out this latest piece published in The Drum by Garrison Dua, VP of Demand, North America!

Digital audio is a powerful bridge, allowing brands to forge meaningful connections with consumers. Thanks to advances in streaming technology and the meteoric rise of podcasts, audio has transformed into an engaging medium that allows brands to connect with audiences more authentically and relevantly than ever before. Half of podcast listeners report engaging more deeply with a brand’s sound identity than with its visual presence, and 58% consider sound elements more memorable – underscoring audio’s unique ability to foster deeper, lasting engagement.

By embracing immersive, interactive, and personalized audio strategies, brands can shift from passive messaging to rich, two-way conversations that deeply resonate with listeners. This shift goes beyond embracing a new advertising channel – it’s about creating impactful experiences that leave lasting impressions and foster deeper consumer engagement. So, let’s discover how audio innovations are transforming digital marketing and how your brand can harness its full potential.

The post How Audio Innovation is Redefining Brand-Consumer Connections appeared first on AdsWizz.

Check out this latest piece published in Adweek by Garrison Dua, VP of Demand, North America!

In today’s fragmented media landscape, leveraging digital audio is not just table stakes—it’s a game-changer for advertisers trying to connect with diverse audiences. As Americans spend over four hours a day immersed in audio content—nearly 20% of their day—the rise of digital audio is impossible to ignore.

And with the world becoming increasingly diverse, forging authentic connections through this medium is more important than ever. This strategy not only broadens a brand’s reach but also deepens its impact on audiences often overlooked by mainstream media.

 

The post How Multicultural Targeting in Digital Audio Can Engage Diverse Audiences appeared first on AdsWizz.

Check out this latest piece published in The Drum by Garrison Dua, VP of Demand, North America!

The issue of privacy has become a decisive factor in a marketer’s campaign success. As consumers become increasingly aware of how their data is handled and global privacy regulations continuously evolve, one thing is clear: adopting privacy-first strategies is no longer optional—it's essential.

The post How Marketers Can Lead with Privacy-First Targeting in Digital Audio Advertising appeared first on AdsWizz.

Check out this latest piece published in The Drum by Garrison Dua, VP of Demand, North America!

As the Cannes Lions festival fades into the background, what better time is there to reflect on the trends in marketing and advertising that are driving consumer engagement?

One standout medium is audio advertising, which can enhance brand identity through immersive experiences by utilizing advanced tools. So, let's explore the current trends, technological advancements, and strategic approaches in audio advertising that are setting new standards in brand storytelling and consumer engagement.

The post Using Audio Advertising to Enhance Brand Engagement and Drive Consumer Connections appeared first on AdsWizz.

Check out this article by Garrison Dua, VP of Demand, North America.

The rise in audio consumption presents a significant opportunity for advertisers to reach audiences. Yet, conventional methods of audio advertising have often fallen short in terms of convenience and effectiveness, leaving a noticeable gap between the potential of audio media and the investment it attracts.

Enter programmatic audio: A transformative solution that not only simplifies the ad-buying process but also elevates audience engagement to position itself as a pivotal development in audio advertising.

 

The post How Programmatic Audio is Reshaping Digital Marketing appeared first on AdsWizz.

Check out this latest piece published in The Drum by Garrison Dua, VP of Demand, North America, and Daniel Einhorn, Senior Manager, Content Marketing.

Audio advertising is experiencing a renaissance thanks to its unique ability to forge a personal bond with listeners. Listeners actively engaging in this medium develop a stronger cognitive and emotional association that can lead to higher trust for brands. Brands can benefit significantly by focusing on contextual relevance to stand out in a fragmented digital landscape and build genuine connections with their audience.

The post Audio Advertising: How Brands Can Build Trust Through Emotional and Contextual Connection appeared first on AdsWizz.

By Garrison Dua, VP Demand, North America.

We all know screens dominate today's culture. You're even looking at one right now.

Watching television, scrolling through social media, and working on a laptop, are all inherent parts of everyday life. But screen time is becoming excessive. The average American spends over 7 hours per day looking at a screen.

On the other hand, audio provides a needed and welcomed escape through music, audiobooks, or podcasts. Podcasts' popularity has steadily grown over the past few years, with Statista reporting that there were 88 million monthly podcast listeners in the U.S. in 2019, and forecast to exceed 164 million by 2023.

Brand marketers, however, have been reluctant to evolve their marketing budgets to reflect the potential of audio advertising. Total podcasting ad spend is expected to hit over $2.5 billion by 2024, according to Statista. However, WARC gives a global estimate that podcast advertising is undervalued by $40 billion.

There are actionable, scalable, and accessible opportunities for marketers to utilize programmatic audio technology - from targeting parameters to how it effectively negates ad-blocker usage. But how can marketers use programmatic podcasting to maximize the channel's full potential?

 

The post How Brand Marketers Can Leverage Programmatic in Podcasting appeared first on AdsWizz.