Adsquare vs InMarket

Digital Audio Expands Into Lower-Funnel Performance Marketing

In an interview with ADZINE, Ina Börner explains how digital audio advertising is moving beyond its traditional branding role into measurable performance marketing across the mid and lower funnel. She clarifies that digital audio encompasses not only classic audio spots but also sponsored ads, host-read ads, and podcasts, and that 'performance' does not automatically mean purchase—measurable outcomes are key. Börner details how her company works with third-party measurement partners such as Okube, Veritonic, Adsquare, Yougov, and Happydemics to measure ad recall, consideration, drive-to-web, drive-to-store, and purchase effects. She emphasizes that creative quality is critical and discusses the use of AI for targeting, contextual analysis, and creative review, as well as Dynamic Creative Optimization to tailor spots by time, audience, and usage context. The company currently still uses human voices for production.

• Digital audio advertising can be deployed for mid- and lower-funnel performance goals with measurable outcomes.
• Measurement partners include Okube (drive-to-store/purchase), Veritonic (measurement), Adsquare (geo-data), Yougov (brand surveys), and Happydemics (brand lift).
• Ina Börner highlights Dynamic Creative Optimization (DCO) to tailor audio spots by time of day, audience, or usage situation.

Your Agent Is Only as Good as Its Audience: When to Use Syndicated vs. Custom

New blog post added to InMarket's blog page: 'Your Agent Is Only as Good as Its Audience: When to Use Syndicated vs. Custom'.

Why SChain Validation Deserves More Attention in Programmatic

This article from IAB Tech Lab discusses the importance of the SupplyChain object (schain) in programmatic advertising for ensuring supply path transparency. It explains how schain records every entity that handled a bid request, but emphasizes that declaring a chain is not the same as validating it. Validation involves cross-checking each node against the public ads.txt and sellers.json files. The article highlights common issues like fabricated hops, duplicate seller IDs, and obfuscated bundle IDs. It urges exchanges, SSPs, and DSPs to implement and continuously validate schain to combat ad fraud, build trust, and protect revenue. The piece also mentions IAB Tech Lab's automated validation service and a proposed 1.1 update to the spec.

• The SupplyChain object (schain) records every entity that handled a bid request, starting from the original publisher.
• Validation of schain involves checking each node against public ads.txt and sellers.json files.
• A reseller must insert their own node into the chain when taking custody of a bid request, or the object becomes invalid.

Attentive VP Jema Birkmeyer Discusses AI's Role in Lifecycle Marketing

In a MarTech Series interview, Jema Birkmeyer, VP of Strategic Accounts at Attentive, discusses the evolving landscape of lifecycle marketing as AI and agentic AI take on more campaign decisions. She highlights a shift from rule-based marketing to direction-setting, where AI handles millions of real-time decisions about audience, messaging, timing, and channel, allowing marketers to focus on strategy and creativity. Birkmeyer emphasizes the need to balance short-term conversions with long-term customer value, noting that 65% of shoppers are open to more relevant messages, while 80% ignore irrelevant ones. She discusses the changing role of segmentation, the importance of deliberate testing for creative and strategy, and the risk of brands losing relevance through over-automation. The interview underscores that AI enhances but does not replace the need for human insight and creativity in building lasting customer relationships.

• Jema Birkmeyer is VP of Strategic Accounts at Attentive.
• Attentive is an omnichannel marketing platform for SMS, email, RCS, and push.
• 65% of shoppers are open to more messages if relevant; 80% ignore irrelevant messages.