Mediaocean vs Smartly

AI Orchestration Layer to Fix Agency Back-Office Reconciliation

This article discusses the chronic problem of manual financial reconciliation in ad agencies, which erodes margins and causes cash-flow issues. It argues that consolidation into monolithic platforms is not the solution; instead, an AI orchestration layer that connects best-of-breed tools is emerging. The piece highlights an integration between Basis and Mediaocean Prisma that automates the flow of campaign data into financial reconciliation, reducing manual work and improving visibility into payables and receivables. This trend represents the next frontier of AI in advertising: not just optimizing individual platforms, but orchestrating workflows across them to improve agency economics and marketplace health.

• Manual reconciliation causes agency margin erosion and cash-flow pressure.
• The article features a Basis and Mediaocean Prisma integration for automated data flow.
• An AI orchestration layer is emerging as a solution to connect best-of-breed systems.

Mediaocean Announces Prisma Direct Integration with Warner Bros. Discovery Advertising to Accelerate Premium Advertising Transactions

Integration expands Prisma Direct ecosystem, bringing greater automation and efficiency to media buying across WBD’s iconic programming portfolio.

Mediaocean earns third consecutive 2026 Remote Work Top Workplaces award

The recognition, based entirely on employee feedback, reflects Mediaocean’s continued focus on flexibility, connection, and an equitable hybrid-first experience.

Horizon CEO Bob Lord Criticizes Holdcos’ FTE Pricing Models

At Smartly's Advance event in Lower Manhattan, Horizon Media Holdings president Bob Lord publicly criticized traditional full-time equivalent (FTE)-based pricing models used by major agency holding companies. He argued that such models, along with principal-based buying, are outdated and hinder client business growth. Lord emphasized the need for 'composable architectures' and monetizing technology investments rather than relying on legacy headcount-based pricing. He predicted that within five years, clients will stop paying for FTE-based models. His comments highlight a growing industry debate about agency compensation structures as technology and AI reshape the agency landscape.

• Horizon Media Holdings president Bob Lord criticized FTE-based pricing models at Smartly's Advance event.
• Lord called FTE models and principal-based buying 'the old system'.
• He predicted clients will stop paying for FTE-based models within five years.

Smartly adds LinkedIn Ads to unified platform for B2B marketers

Smartly, the AI-powered advertising technology company, announced a new integration bringing LinkedIn Ads into its unified advertising platform. This collaboration aims to help B2B marketers personalize creative for professional audiences, accelerate video production, and use audience and performance intelligence to continuously improve advertising outcomes. By combining LinkedIn's professional audience insights with Smartly's AI-powered creative and performance intelligence, marketers can create more relevant creative across the B2B buying journey. The integration also enables scaling video production for LinkedIn through AI-powered automation and turning performance signals into actionable insights.

• Smartly announced a new integration bringing LinkedIn Ads into its unified advertising platform.
• The integration is designed to help B2B marketers personalize creative for professional audiences.
• Smartly's CEO, Laura Desmond, highlighted the collaboration's importance for B2B marketers.

TIMBALAND TO HEADLINE SMARTLY’S ADVANCE IN NEW YORK CITY ON SEPTEMBER 29

Smartly announces that Timbaland will headline its ADVANCE event in New York City on September 29.