The Trade Desk

Advertisers Await Programmatic Pause Ad Standards

Publishers, platforms and advertisers are watching the IAB Tech Lab’s effort to standardize programmatic signaling for new streaming ad formats — especially pause ads — which the Lab says will roll out later this month. Without a common buy-side signal, most pause-ad activity today is transacted via direct deals; programmatic vendors (Magnite, FreeWheel) and DSPs (The Trade Desk) are already building interim solutions. Brands such as Fiskars are interested in pause ads for awareness but have not purchased them yet, citing needs for scale, flexibility and measurement. Industry sources say friction remains — publishers use different specs, SSP bids between vendors aren’t directly translatable, and there’s no easy way to mediate competing demand — but optimism exists because pause ads are reportedly commanding higher CPMs and standardization should enable broader programmatic adoption.

Advertisers Await Programmatic Pause Ads

The article examines why programmatic "pause ads"—creative units shown when viewers pause streaming video—have generated industry discussion but limited advertiser adoption. The IAB Tech Lab launched an initiative to standardize programmatic signals for new CTV ad formats and collected public comments through early June; updates are expected to roll out later this month. Currently many pause-ad buys are direct deals; SSPs and programmatic platforms (e.g., Magnite, FreeWheel) are building interim solutions to make the format more buyable. Brands such as Fiskars are interested but waiting for programmatic scale, flexibility and measurement. Industry sources note technical friction (native specs vs VAST, non‑translatable SSP bid formats) and unanswered performance questions.

Adform strengthens leadership team with DACH hire

Adform has expanded its senior leadership: Daniel Neuhaus joins as Senior Vice President and Regional President for the DACH region, while Stefan Sommer is promoted to Chief Growth Officer. Both will report to Oliver Whitten, Chief Operating Officer, and will be members of Adform's Senior Leadership Team. Neuhaus brings over 20 years of adtech experience, including a recent role as VP DACH at The Trade Desk and previous co‑founder positions at Emetriq and Xplosion; he will run Adform’s business in Germany, Austria and Switzerland from Hamburg and oversee Splicky (acquired by Adform in late 2025). Sommer, an Adform veteran of ten years, moves from DACH and Global Sales & Partnerships leadership into a global role responsible for partnerships, media/data/technology business development and commercial corporate development.