Blis vs InMarket

Economic Forces Driving Ad Tech Consolidation

Marketecture published an analysis of the economic forces driving consolidation in the ad tech industry, arguing that shrinking open-web supply, agency holding companies buying or building technology, rising infrastructure and AI costs, and tighter capital are pushing vendors toward scale, vertical integration, or M&A. The piece cites Taboola’s exclusive deal for NBC’s web banner inventory as an example of de‑fragmentation in the open web, highlights agency acquisitions (Publicis, Omnicom) reshaping vendor TAM, and warns that fixed operating costs and reduced web traffic increase pressure on DSPs, ad networks, and other ad tech businesses.

• Marketecture published an analysis on ad tech consolidation on 2026-08-24.
• The article cites Taboola securing an exclusive deal to represent NBC’s web banner inventory (reported by Axios).
• Blis is described as part of T-Mobile Advertising Solutions.

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.

InMarket Blog: New Posts on Pinterest, TikTok, Madhive Partnership, and Measurement Insights

InMarket published new blog posts covering Pinterest campaign analysis, interviews with CPG Guys and TikTok's Ann Nguyen, a Madhive partnership announcement, foot traffic measurement 101, and Cannes insights.