10 best digital marketing agencies in Vancouver (2025)
Digital marketing encompasses paid advertising, design, content marketing, social media, PR, SEO…and so much more. Because of this, many brands need supplementary support for specific marketing needs, and that’s where digital marketing agencies come in—to fill the gap and elevate your marketing efforts. In 2025, War Room was named one of Vancouver’s Best Creative Agencies. We would like to showcase some of the peers, and in our opinion, the best digital marketing agencies in Vancouver. We’ll highlight their service offerings, specializations, a little more about them, and why we think they’re great. 1. War Room What services does War Room offer? PPC (Paid, Search, Display, Native…) Advertising Video Ads Social Ads Audio Ads Digital Out-Of-Home (DOOH) Ads Online Travel Agencies (OTA) Ads Hotel / Metasearch Ads and more What does War Room specialize in? Programmatic advertising Hyper-targeting Cross-channel Physical visitation tracking In-depth analytics War Room had to find a way to stand out from all the full-service digital marketing agencies in Vancouver. So, we chose to focus solely on digital advertising, specializing 100% in programmatic advertising. We’ve been rocking media buying for over a decade now. AdExchanger named us one of the best Programmatic Power Players! Our in-house programmatic platform, Kedet (which our experts built from scratch), automates ad buying. It has capabilities for ad campaigns for all types of objectives, whether it be lead generation, brand awareness, or physical store visits–we got you covered. Cross-channel advertising We will connect all of your ad channels and sync their data. For example, Facebook Ads can now have transparency with your Google Ads and Youtube Ads. These channels now speak to each other, and we can exclude audiences who have already converted from one channel, in turn saving you ad dollars. Then, we can even run retargeting campaigns later down the road. (Not many agencies can do this, so we dare you to ask us about our specialty!) Hyper-targeting Advertising is all about getting in front of the right people at the right place and time. Demographics like age, location, gender are straightforward, but complex insights like shopping behavior; interests etc. can be laser-focused, thanks to Kedet! Our approach is customizing a holistic advertising strategy based on your goals and budget. We perfected the balance between ad tech and human expertise. Our team is made up of digital nerds who specialize in different advertising channels. They will be the ones proactively monitoring and optimizing the campaigns to ensure every dollar you’re spending is used to the fullest potential. Our direct partnerships with 90,000+ premium ad publishers means when it comes to digital ad buying, you can expect: Lower Cost-Per-Click (CPC) A wider audience reach Overall, a lower Cost-Per-Acquisition (CPA) We do advertising and nothing else. We do advertising exceptionally well. So, if you’re looking for a trustworthy agency to take care of your digital advertising and drive better Return On Investment (ROI), connect with us at War Room today! 2. Major Tom Services Offered Brand & Digital Strategy Content Marketing eCommerce marketing Digital advertising Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Social Media UX & Web Design Web Development Specialization Full-Service Marketing Named after an iconic Davie Bowie persona, Major Tom is probably the most prominent digital agency in Vancouver. They are a full-service marketing agency covering almost anything you can think of, spanning from branding, strategy to creatives. Their clients love them for their full-service team’s coverage and the ability to help many brands launch websites, creatives, and ads campaigns seamlessly. What’s neat is that they have offices in New York, San Francisco, and Toronto. 3. Forge & Spark Services Offered Brand Strategy Content Marketing Digital Marketing Campaigns Specialization Strategic Story-Telling Content Creation (blogs, social, etc.) What we love about this women-led agency is its specialization in content marketing. Their team is made up of creative content professionals who are passionate about story-telling. They believe in purpose-driven content, which will help brands achieve impact digitally and connect with audiences. If you’re thinking of revolutionizing your brand’s messaging or need help with producing high-quality content, the team at Forge & Spark will be your biggest ally. 4. Thrive Digital Services Offered Online Advertising Strategy Analytics Design Specialization Full-Service Marketing eCommerce User Acquisition Thrive Digital is one of the most famous digital marketing agencies in Vancouver. One of their biggest clients is Uber! They manage all aspects of online advertising, from planning and building to execution. Even Neil Patel, the SEO guru praises their performance marketing team! For biggest agencies like this, be sure to inquire if they have a minimum monthly spend and the ongoing service fee to ensure it’s a great match. 5. Jelly Services Offered Public Relations Social Media Marketing Media Buying Videos & Podcasts Production Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialization PR Social Media Online Advertising The holy trifecta that makes up the heart of Jelly Marketing’s business are social media, digital advertising, and public relations. They have worked out a formula for balancing these three aspects of marketing and synergizing them! They take care of press releases, media events, and your social media strategy. Their digital marketing team then tracks how effective your campaigns are with your target audience. If you’re looking for a digital partner to help build a successful strategy with PR and social, Jelly would be worth checking out! 6. Blue/Meta Services Offered Business Strategy UX design Sales & Marketing Ideation & Development PPC Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialization Strategy Creative Branding Digital Ads Data Measurement Blue Meta’s website is beautifully designed, and it highlights their strength in design and branding. They can take your idea and transform it into an entire brand experience. They also can custom illustrations, designs, and product packaging alongside the usual social media management and digital advertising services. If you’re an eCommerce business, they would be able to help you scale up. 7. Idea Rebel Services Offered Website & App Development UX Design Media Planning & Buying Social Media Specialization Experiential Marketing Interactive Experiences Web eCommerce & Mobile Development As cool as their beautiful office
What is dynamic creative optimization? (DCO advertising 101)
With so much stimulation around us in person and online when it comes to marketing, brands need to find a way to cut through the noise. Dynamic Creative Optimization (DCO) is a way to stand out from the crowd. If you’re a brand marketer, DCO is a game-changer and should definitely be a part of your digital ad strategy. And if you’re not sure what it is, fret not! This guide will discuss what it is, how it works, and how it will affect (and benefit) your marketing. Here’s what we’ll cover: What is Dynamic Creative Optimization How Does Dynamic Creative Optimization Work Examples of Dynamic Creative Optimization Why is Dynamic Creative Optimization Effective Benefits of Dynamic Creative Optimization What is Dynamic Creative Optimization? Dynamic Creative Optimization (DCO) is when advertisers serve personalized ads to the right person at the right time by utilizing ad technology and data sets. Data sets may include audience information, such as: Device Location Interests Language Website behavior, etc Common examples of a dynamic ad would be a Display or Facebook carousel of the products you previously browsed on a website but didn’t purchase. The ad is unique to every user. How Does Dynamic Creative Optimization Work? The beauty of dynamic ads is that personalization is automated! DCO ad tech creates personalized ads based on the data of the user viewing it at the moment. It will showcase dynamic content like things they left in their shopping cart or items they’ve browsed. It does so by dissecting an ad into different components, lile: image, tagline, or copy. Advertisers would upload their creative assets (image, headlines, text etc.), then DCO technology will then create various combinations of ads to serve. Think of it as A/B testing but on a much wider scale: less manual, more automatic. While running the variation of ads, the ad tech’s machine learning features will constantly assess what is effective and what isn’t. Then after a few days, it will determine which of the best-performing combinations and serve those to the relevant audience. When your ads are runing, it’s collecting data on consumers. The data records and analyzes users’ interactions with your brand and website. In turn, it gives you more insights to make improvements to your creatives. Examples of Dynamic Creative Optimization Do you remember the personalized ads in the fictional future in the movie, Minority Report? We’re definitely on the path to this level of personalization. Digital Out-Of-Home ads can change messaging dependent on the time, weather etc. Audio ads can be served to specific genres or podcasts users listen to. There has also been a shift towards first-party data: the advertising industry will have lots of options to capture the attention of their audience! Let’s say you’re running an ad that targets the general population. It may appeal to some people but might not pack that extra oomph to persuade another demographic to convert. DCO takes personalization to a new level. You can target different audience segments based on age, interests etc. For example, you own a health and wellness store. You can run an ad promoting protein powders to 20-40 year olds. However, some people could be health-conscious but aren’t gym enthusiasts in that age range, so those ads might not be relevant. With DCO, you could have another ad for your vitamin products be served to this group instead, which might appeal to them better. DCO is often used for retargeting by brands that sell products and the travel industry. For example: Home Hardware DCO example General Retargeting AdSave big on all our home improvement products. Shop now. [Images of miscellaneous products] Dynamically Optimized Retargeting AdThis is a great weekend to install that fence. Shop now. [Carousel of fence products previously viewed by user] Travelocity DCO example General Retargeting AdLow fares on hundreds of airlines. Book now. Dynamically Optimized Retargeting AdLow fares on hundreds of airlines.Find flights from Orlando to San Francisco. Book now. With personalized content in the ad, it speaks directly to the consumer and their needs, which increases its effectiveness. We’ll dive more into some statistics to back this up in the next section. Why is Dynamic Creative Optimization Effective? According to Adlucent, 71% of consumers prefer personalized ads, which results in a higher Click-Through Rate (CTR). So, it’s easy to say; relevant ads are a must for successful digital advertising. Some more statistics support this point, for example: 1 in 4 consumers say personalized ads are a great way for them to discover new products. About 20% of people say it makes their online shopping experience easier. 44% of consumers said they’re willing to provide basic contact information (name, email, address, preferences etc) to get more relevant ads tailored for them. Customer journeys are not all identical, and DCO helps prepare brands for this. The process of DCO is data-informed: it minimizes a lengthy process of creation, scales it, collects data, and makes optimizations. Facebook and Google each have their own systems for dynamic creative advertising. Benefits of Dynamic Creative Optimization Increase Brand Awareness Perhaps you’re trying to reach a new market segment and want to make a good impression. DCO’s smart and personalized messaging enables you to speak to different users’ pain points, needs, etc. It helps people feel connected to your brand. Studies show that users are almost twice as likely to click on an ad for an unknown brand or product if it is personalized. It’s a great way to grow your brand presence digitally. Higher Click-Through Rate (CTR) We’ve learned that DCO helps brands scale when it comes to the variations of unique, personalized ads. Because the content is highly relevant, the message is more likely to resonate with the user. Thus, a higher chance of users clicking on the ad. Combat Ad Fatigue Ad Fatigue is when people see your ads multiple times, usually with the same creative. Over time, the consumer would become numb to your efforts, willing to ignore it because they’ve been exposed to it so many times. This, in turn, leads to lower clicks
What is programmatic advertising? The basics explained (2025)
Do you need programmatic advertising explained in clear and speedy terms? We’ve created this beginner’s guide to walk you through exactly what programmatic buying is, and why it’s the most important digital marketing initiative your business needs. Table Of Contents What is programmatic advertising? Programmatic advertising is the automated buying and selling of digital ad space using software. Instead of manually negotiating with publishers or placing ads yourself, algorithms handle everything—deciding which ads to show, where to show them, and how much to pay. Think of it as the difference between calling every restaurant in town to book a table versus using an app like OpenTable. The software does the work. Here’s what that means in practice: Your brand sets targeting parameters (who you want to reach, where, when). The software connects to massive ad exchanges and networks. When someone matching your criteria loads a webpage, the system bids on that ad placement in milliseconds. If you win, your ad appears. And all of this happens faster than the page loads. The goal? Get your ad in front of the right person, at the right time, for the least cost. No wasted impressions on people who’ll never buy or overpaying for placements that don’t convert. For publishers selling ad space, it’s equally straightforward. Their inventory gets filled automatically at optimal prices, without back-and-forth negotiations or manual insertion orders. Programmatic doesn’t just mean display ads, either. It covers search, social, video, audio, mobile, connected TV—basically any digital ad format you can automate. You’ll also hear it called programmatic buying or programmatic marketing. In practice, very similar. It’s all referring to software-driven ad placement that uses data to make smarter decisions than humans ever could at scale. The future of advertising will be personalized, automated, immersive, experiential and measurable. It won’t feel like advertising. — Giselle Abramovich, Senior & Strategic Editor, CMO.com The Two Perspectives There are two perspectives when it comes to programmatic ad buying or selling. The Brand Perspective The Marketers Perspective It gets a little more complex if you lose track of which perspective you’re coming from. You need programmatic advertising explained from both of these points of view, for greater context. The Brand Perspective Brands think of programmatic advertising as a way to optimize their online ad spend. Programmatic advertising software focuses on targeting specific brand audiences so that the ads work better, and sell more products or services. For brands, approaching a company who has the right software and knows how to use it is key. This means finding an advertising company who has the best technology, and can effectively consolidate their ad spend across multiple channels. Programmatic marketing is what companies like War Room do. We connect brand advertisers to enormous ad networks, and help them pick the right type of ad, where it will go and who it will reach, in real time. The Marketing Perspective From a marketing perspective, there are ad buyers and ad sellers – and programmatic on both ends. Demand Side Platform (DSP) Demand Side Platforms focus on programmatic buying. They connect brand advertisers to available ad space online. War Room uses Kedet, a type of DSP, as mentioned above. DSP’s use technology to get the best deals and results for their clients. Supply Side Platform (SSP) Supply Side Platforms focus on programmatic selling. They’re connected to the same ad exchanges and networks, only to negotiate ad space for sale. This ad space is called inventory, and it’s their job to fill it with ads for profit. Ad buying and selling require the right algorithms so that placements are efficiently optimized. These often come in the form of AI or artificial intelligence systems. Kedet is War Room’s proprietary AI stack and is made up of sophisticated algorithms that automatically adjust ad bids in real-time – depending on who is using the web page at the time. It gives our clients access to the largest programmatic marketplace available online. Brands are looking to partner with the best possible programmatic buyer, and DSPs are charged with using their specific programmatic software to attract brand advertisers. Once aligned with a DSP, the brand’s adverts are automatically connected to massive ad networks and SSPs, where ultra-fast bidding takes place in real-time. A History of Programmatic Marketing The programmatic advertising industry is enormous! 65% of digital media ads were traded programmatically in 2019, and that number continues to rise. But where did it come from? Here’s the history of programmatic marketing explained: It started with display advertising, all the way back in 1994 – when the very first display ad was published on Hotwired.com. A site you know today, as Wired.com. It looked like this: Back in the old-timey days of 1994, this display ad got a Click-Through-Rate of 40-50%! As the years rolled by, and more advertisers vied for clicks, those rates dropped dramatically. By the time the 2000s arrived, ad networks were springing up to get advertisers more reach, across multiple websites. Then came Google, and Adwords (now just called Google Ads, of course). Google did some amazing things with online advertising, including coming up with the idea to define target segments. It was almost programmatic, but not quite. Other companies were developing methods of optimizing ad reach too – About.com, Sprinks, and Gator were building targeted ad networks. Like all fast-paced innovative growth, when you have multiple companies working to be the best, you can’t stop progress. Suddenly, real-time bidding software sprang to life. This Real-Time Bidding (RTB) software connected Demand Side and Supply Side platforms to ad networks – and focused on hyper-targeted ads using available data. It was the birth of programmatic advertising! So, programmatic originally came about to solve the real-time bidding issues related to remnant inventory. It has now grown into so much more than that. Many brands have still never used programmatic to its fullest potential. It’s taken years of innovation for us to reach this point. The industry has faced many challenges. But now, the difference between traditional advertising and
What is cohort advertising & should you be using it?
Privacy laws aren’t slowing down. Third-party cookies are on their way out. Your customers want you to respect their data—but your campaigns still need to convert. Here’s the thing: Cohort advertising lets you run targeted campaigns by grouping people based on what they do or what they’re interested in, not by following them around the internet. You still get the precision that makes digital advertising work. You just do it without the tracking methods that are dying or making people uncomfortable. This guide covers what cohort advertising actually is, how the mechanics work, when it makes sense for your business, and how to start building cohorts from data you already have. What is cohort advertising and how does it actually work? Cohort advertising targets groups of users instead of individuals. You’re grouping people who share characteristics—demographics, interests, purchase timing, browsing patterns—rather than following specific people across the web. You define these cohorts using first-party data you already collect: website behavior, purchase history, email engagement. Platforms also provide aggregated anonymous data you can use. When someone in a cohort visits a site or opens an app, they see ads relevant to that group’s shared characteristics. The system doesn’t need to know who they are specifically. The technology plugs into programmatic advertising systems you’re already using—same automated buying infrastructure, same placement mechanics. The difference is you’re targeting at the group level instead of tracking individuals. What about cohort marketing? People tends to use cohort advertising and cohort marketing interchangeably, though marketing usually means the broader strategy while advertising focuses on paid media placements specifically. Cohort advertising vs. individual targeting Individual targeting tracks a specific person across sites using cookies or device IDs, building a profile of that exact user’s behavior to serve them personalized ads. Cohort advertising groups people by shared characteristics and serves relevant ads to the group, never storing or accessing personally identifiable information about individuals. You lose some granularity—like being able to retarget the exact person who abandoned a cart—but you gain privacy compliance and can still reach people with similar purchase intent through behavioral patterns. The best part? Cohort advertising is sustainable. It’s not at risk of being blocked by browsers, banned by platforms, or rejected by privacy-conscious consumers. Individual tracking faces all three threats constantly. Why cohort advertising exists (and why it matters now) Consumer pushback against invasive tracking created real problems for brands. When 69% of people have deleted or considered deleting social accounts because of privacy concerns, that distrust directly impacts your marketing campaigns and user engagement. Privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA started forcing platforms to limit individual tracking, and browsers responded by blocking third-party cookies by default. Cohort advertising emerged as a practical middle ground between what consumers want (privacy) and what advertisers need (targeting that converts). It removes the creepy factor where ads feel like they’re stalking people across the internet, while still maintaining relevance through pattern recognition across groups. For your business, this means running effective campaigns without relying on tracking methods that are either disappearing or alienating your audience. The alternative is losing both compliance and customer data trust at the same time. Types of cohorts you can define You can group users into cohorts two primary ways: by when they first engaged with your brand (acquisition) or by what actions they take (behavior). 1. Acquisition cohorts Acquisition cohorts group users based on when they first interacted with your product, visited your site, or made their first purchase—typically within a specific time window. You might create cohorts like “users who signed up in January 2025” or “customers acquired through Instagram ads in Q4.” This approach lets you track how different acquisition periods perform over time and spot patterns in retention, lifetime value, or engagement based on when people entered your funnel. Acquisition cohorts work particularly well for measuring the long-term impact of marketing campaigns or seasonal factors on customer behavior. You can compare cohorts against each other to see if customers acquired during a sale period behave differently than those who paid full price. The insights help you decide where to invest acquisition budget and which channels deliver customers who actually stick around. 2. Behavioral cohorts Behavioral cohorts group users based on actions they take within your product, on your site, or across your marketing touchpoints—what they do rather than when they arrived. Examples include “users who browse but never purchase,” “customers who buy monthly subscriptions,” or “people who engage with email campaigns but don’t click ads.” These cohorts reveal patterns in how different groups interact with your brand and help you tailor messaging, offers, and creative to specific behaviors. Unlike acquisition cohorts which stay fixed in time, behavioral cohorts are dynamic—someone can move between cohorts as their actions change. This approach aligns directly with audience segmentation strategies, letting you build campaigns around real user behavior patterns rather than demographic guesses. When you create cohorts based on what people actually do, your targeting becomes predictive instead of reactive. The key benefits of cohort advertising for your digital advertising strategy Cohort advertising delivers three core advantages that directly impact your bottom line: compliance that protects your business, budget efficiency through better targeting, and predictive insights for planning. 1. Privacy compliance without performance sacrifice You stay compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and whatever regulations come next because cohort advertising doesn’t collect or process personally identifiable information. You’re grouping anonymized data patterns instead of tracking individuals, which means you avoid the legal risk and the compliance overhead that comes with individual tracking. This means you can run marketing campaigns run without the constant worry that a browser update or platform policy change will break your entire targeting strategy overnight. That stability matters when you’re planning quarterly budgets and annual strategies—you’re building on a foundation that isn’t actively being dismantled by regulators and tech platforms. 2. Smarter budget allocation and lower waste Cohort-based targeting lets you focus spend on audience segments that actually convert
Ad creative 101: The essentials explained (colors, copy & more)
An ad creative is delivered on a webpage, social media, app, or another platform to a targeted audience. These are typically known as display ads, which are used to drive business objectives, such as increasing website traffic or sales. In this guide, we will take a look at the anatomy of an ad and share tips so you can bring your A-game to the ad game. Here are the categories we will breakdown: Size Visual Color Ad Copy Call-To-Action What actually is ad creative? Ad Creative is defined as the design and content of an advertisement. You don’t need to be a designer or novelist to create an effective ad. Use these best practices below to keep your ad creatives on the right track! Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)’s Advertising Creative Guidelines recommend that “ads should be distinguishable from native web content”. It has to be seen as a banner with visuals and text that promote your brand, product, or service. The viewer would know at first sight that if they are enticed and click on your ad, they would be directed away from their current page. Creating ads is about finding a balance between being attention-grabbing, but not obnoxious, offensive, or god-forbid — forgettable! Here is a breakdown of a well-balanced ad: As you can see in the graph, the vital components of an effective ad are: Image of your product or service Ad copy: tagline & value proposition Logo design and/or brand name Call-To-Action What are the main ad creative elements to consider? Ad creative size Before we dive into ad visuals and design, we need to understand why there are so many ad shapes and sizes. The main reasons are due to: Countless amount of ad networks available Various types of devices (desktop, mobile, tablet etc) Audience reach is an important factor in advertising. This is why as marketers, we need to create ads in a variety of sizes. it guarantees more flexible ad placement across the internet and serves a seamless viewing experience! Create a variety of ad formats. According to Google, the top-performing ad sizes that get the most ad impressions are: 300×250 728×90 160×600 Ad creative visuals Let’s be honest: human beings are visual creatures. “A picture is worth a thousand words” rings especially true when it comes to your ad imagery.Pictures help people visualize the offered product or service. Whether you’re using popular free stock images or getting a photoshoot done for your ad, here are some pointers: Showcase your product, service, brand, and/or environment clearly Match your image to your ad copy AND landing page — they should all share the same look and feel while conveying your message Avoid gloomy imagery – we encourage using a brighter tone If people are featured in your ad imagery, try to feature models that match the demographic you are targeting If the focus is the view, we recommend using tiny to middle-sized figures to allow the focal point to be the atmosphere If the focus is the activity, use middle to large-sized figures to demonstrate the experience People are naturally attracted to images inside boxes. If you have an ad with a white background, consider outlining your ads with a 1px (minimum) line to frame it If you have a promotion, highlight it in the image with text and keep it concise. Eg. 20% off, 2 days only! Keep the text light in the image. Try to keep it under 20% of the space on the visual To avoid ad fatigue, freshen up your campaigns with new imagery to keep them fresh! Ad creative colors Color has a powerful effect on human emotion and a viewer’s perception of a brand. When color is correctly and consistently, it can create a positive impact and make a lasting impression. You can use color to: Grab people’s attention Define brand identity Associate your product or service with a specific emotion or feeling Imagine a bank with a bright yellow logo or a feminine hygiene ad that had a brown-colored background. It feels a little “off” as it doesn’t align with our expectations for specific products or brands. Why is this? Aside from social conditioning, a lot of these color-based expectations are rooted in our biological programming! For example, red is often used by food chains or brands because bright red is like fresh meat or fruit that’s ripe and ready for us to eat. Here are the popular colors, what sense they’re typically associated with, and common uses: Red Energetic and passionate Common uses: food products or brands, clearance sales Blue Authoritative and trustworthy Common uses: businesses and financial institutions like banks Yellow Optimistic and youthful Common uses: window shopping signs Green Calm and mature Common uses: eco-friendly brands, wellness spas, and products Orange Bold and assertive Common uses: Call-To-Actions like Buy or Subscribe Purple Sensual and mysterious Common uses: luxury products, sexual wellness products Pink Romantic and often associated with femininity Common uses: pastries, branding for feminine products or services like beauty, hygiene, etc Black Sleek and luxurious Common uses: high-end, luxury items such as cars, watches; used as a contrasting background to make the focal point stand out A survey was conducted, and results show the general public’s favorite and least liked colors: Favorite colors: Blue Green Purple Red The least liked colors: Blue Green Purple Red (Don’t let this sway you–it’s just nice to know!) This is a Color Wheel and how colors relate to one another. We recommend using a color contrast. Why? It’s visually more interesting. It can get viewers to focus their attention on specific elements of your ad. This could be a particular keyword, icon, or Call-To-Action button. Complementary and Split Complementary uses colors that are found across from each other on the color wheel. Here is an example of how color contrast can work well visually: The bright-colored “25% off” really pops because it’s a warmer color sitting on top of a muted background. Ad creative copy Just
Programmatic video advertising: The basics explained (2025)
So, you need a simple and easy-to-understand guide to programmatic video advertising. We’ve got just what you need. We will cover what programmatic video ads are and how they fit into a sprawling programmatic advertising landscape that never stops growing. There are many different types of programmatic advertising out there, and one of the most popular involves video. It’s different from other media types, with the same advertising technology. This post walks you through: What is Programmatic Video Advertising Is Programmatic Video a Big Deal? Why is Programmatic Video So Popular? Types of Programmatic Video Ads What are the Best Programmatic Video Platforms? Should You Invest in Programmatic Video Ads? Conclusion TL;DR – What Have We Learned Let’s get started! Photo by KAL VISUALS on Unsplash What is Programmatic Video Advertising? First of all, what is programmatic video advertising? Programmatic advertising is the practice of buying and selling ad space using data and machine learning technologies to automate the process online for faster, better results. In this instance, advertisers create video ads that are then programmatically traded. This is done using real-time bidding, programmatic direct or private marketplace deals. Is Programmatic Video a Big Deal? Advertisers have increased their investment in video ads moving in 2020. It’s clear that video is a big deal when it comes to ROI and programmatically trading ads. In 2019, advertisers spent around $29.24 billion dollars on programmatic video advertising, which is nearly half of all display ad spending in the US. Programmatic video advertising platforms like Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Snapchat advertising have influenced this boom, along with developments in smart TVs, over-the-top (OTT) video, and social advertising – not to mention the increasing growth of mobile. Emarketer is predicting that video will plateau for a few years, but it doesn’t diminish the reality that video is still the dominant media format for high-impact display ads online. With 81.2% of all digital video transacting programmatically, it’s fair to say that automated video is now the norm when creating and distributing digital video ads. Why is Programmatic Video So Popular? Video is a powerful medium, especially for advertising. There is no better ad format for brand storytelling, and capturing people’s attention than video. It’s hands-down the highest impact and versatile of all advertising media. Google recently told us that 60% of people would rather watch online videos than television. By 2022, 82% of all online consumer traffic will be from video. Video ads are also an especially versatile ad format. This could account for their rising popularity and the increasingly creative methods used when advertisers want to hyper-personalized ad messages. Types of Programmatic Video Advertising There are many different types of programmatic video advertising that are created today. Each allows for interesting creative opportunities. In-Stream Ads In-stream ads are part of a video’s linear structure, and they are placed either before, during or after the content in the video. If you’ve watched a Youtube video, you’ve come across them. Pre-roll ads: Play before the video starts Mid-roll ads: Play as the video is playing Post-roll ads: Play at the end of the video Out-Stream Ads Also called native video or in-read ads, these video ads differ from their in-stream counterparts. Outstream ads don’t play with other videos, instead they mainly appear in text content and autoplay as you’re scrolling by. These ads don’t disrupt existing video content like instream ads do. In-Display Ads In-Display adverts are rich-media videos that appear inside display ad units, at the top of your Youtube feed or in-banner on a page. They don’t play without being clicked on, so there’s an element of choice for the viewer. What are The Best Programmatic Video Platforms? According to a 2017 Emarketer report, there are several video platforms you will want to consider as a digital video marketer. These are the best platforms for your online campaigns. YouTube and Vevo – still the dominant platforms for video advertising Facebook, Snapchat. TikTok and Twitter – social networking sites come in second Video Demand Side Platforms (DSP) – for programmatic placement of your videos With 68% of respondents using social platforms to make an impact with video, a lot of opportunities still exists with programmatic display advertising as we glide into 2021. Facebook video advertising is especially important, with 100 million hours of video watched every day by the sites 2.3 billion active users. Should You Invest in Programmatic Video Ads? What is programmatic video advertising without a strong Return On Investment (ROI)!The reason why so many advertisers prefer video advertising, is because it has the ability to reach their audience and convert them more effectively than other ad types. There’s a good reason why 87% of marketing professionals use video as a marketing tool, and it’s because of bigger, better profits. An overwhelming majority of digital professionals are satisfied with the ROI they get from their video ads! What this means is that when you shift to using programmatic video ads, you convert the already powerful medium of video into a super resource for conversions – thanks to targeting, personalization and the budget control that comes with programmatic technology. In Conclusion… Hopefully this quick guide has answered all of your main questions on automated video and its value.Now you understand what programmatic video ads are, why they’re popular – and which types of ads are used most often. From the best platforms to the reasons why investing in video is a good idea, the next time someone says, ‘hey – what is programmatic video advertising?’ You’ll have the answers. What Have We Learned? Programmatic video advertising is when advertisers use automation technology to buy the best possible ad space from publishers for their video – within their predefined budgets and parameters. Video ads are dominating the digital advertising industry. Almost half of the Display Advertising spend in the US is on videos. Over 80% of video ads are traded programmatically. This ad format is so visual and versatile, which is excellent for brand storytelling and personalization. There are several types of Video Ads for the main categories are: In-Stream Ads, Outstream Ads, In-Display Ads There
7 types of marketing attribution models (+ how each works)
Attribution models & windows and their roles in advertising are what we will be discussing in today’s article. When it comes to digital advertising, attribution helps us better understand our ad performance and identify areas of opportunity for optimizations. The ultimate goal is to deliver a better experience of the customer journey. What is the importance of attribution when it comes to digital marketing? Hubspot’s 2025 State of Marketing report revealed that marketers have found using data to prove ROI has become even more important today than ever. Here’s what that really means: Marketing teams are drowning in data but starving for insights. They can’t figure out which channels actually drive results, what needs fixing, and what’s just burning budget. Every platform claims credit for the same conversion, and CMOs are asking harder questions about spend allocation. There’s no magic attribution model that works for everyone. But understanding your options — and their limitations — helps you make smarter budget decisions. We’ll walk through the most common attribution models and explain attribution windows so you can build a measurement strategy that actually informs your media buying. What is an attribution model? An attribution model decides which marketing touchpoints get credit for your conversions. Picture this: Someone clicks your Google ad but doesn’t buy. Two days later, they see your Facebook ad and visit again — still no purchase. Then they Google your brand name directly and finally convert. Which channel “caused” that sale? Google for the first touch? Facebook for nurturing? Direct search for closing? That’s where attribution models come in. They’re basically the rules for dividing credit across your marketing channels. Some give all credit to the last click. Others spread it around. The smart ones use data to figure out what actually works. Here’s the thing: Most customers don’t convert on their first visit anymore. They research, compare, and bounce between channels before deciding. So if you’re only crediting the final click, you’re probably starving the channels that create awareness and consideration. The model you choose shapes where you spend your budget. Get it wrong, and you’ll cut the campaigns that are actually driving growth. Types of attribution models Most platforms give you a few different ways to split credit. Here’s what each one actually does — and when you’d want to use them. Keep in mind that Google retired many of these rule-based models in 2023. Still, understanding the logic remains helpful when setting up attribution on other platforms or third-party tools. 1. Linear attribution model Linear attribution models look at your overarching marketing strategy and equally credits every channel the user interacts with. For example, Richard first discovered your brand through Google search organically. Then he saw your ad through Connected TV when he was streaming videos at home, prompting him to visit your website. He doesn’t make a purchase but signs up for your newsletter. He then starts seeing retargeted Facebook ads and decides to convert. A lot to unload here, but Linear attribution models say, SEO, the Connected TV ad, Direct traffic, email marketing, and Facebook ads all had an equal role in driving this conversion. This is a holistic way to measure your marketing strategy. Every channel counts. You’ll then be able to evaluate which ones are the biggest conversion drivers (and which to eliminate, perhaps). 2. Time decay attribution model The Time Decay attribution model enables you to determine the channels that generate the most conversions. It does it by distributing credit in increased increments to each channel as it gets closer to the conversion. This means the very last touchpoint will get the most credit, whereas the least amount of credit would go to the first touchpoint. So less value is put in the top-of-the-funnel channels, and advertisers can focus their ad dollars and efforts on bottom-of-the-funnel ones to improve conversion rate. 3. First click attribution model The First Click attribution model will credit the conversion to the very first touchpoint of the user. Example:Sally sees a LinkedIn ad for a creative agency’s eBook, “2021 Design Best Practices”. She’s interested, clicks on the ad, and fills out the form on the landing page to download the resource. She is then entered into an email drip campaign. A few days afterward, she received the first follow-up email from the agency, inviting her for a 15-minute consultation. Sally agrees and ends up hiring the agency for her business needs. If it was the First Click attribution model, the email doesn’t get the credit, but instead, it’s the LinkedIn ad. This model is helpful when it comes to driving new consumers. Once you identify how most people come through to your site or landing page, you’d be able to dedicate more ad dollars to run a successful campaign. 4. Last click attribution model Let’s say Sabrina is scrolling through her Instagram feed and see an ad for a skincare product that grabs her interest. She clicks on the Instagram ad, checks out the skincare company’s site, reads about the product, and leaves. She then spends the next few days researching more about it by watching Youtube videos and reading Google reviews. Sabrina finally decides that it’s the right product, and since she already knows the brand name, she fills out the URL and goes to the site to make a purchase. In the case of the Last Click attribution model, the conversion would be credited to Direct Traffic. It’s a great model to determine which channels drive the most conversions. 5. Last non-direct click attribution model This alternate model shouldn’t be mixed up with the Last Click attribution model. The Last Non-Click Direct attribution model will give credit to the last touchpoint that isn’t direct! A simple example would be: someone seeing your Display Ad and clicks on it but doesn’t make a purchase. But the next day, they type in your website URL and convert. Your Display Ad would then get the credit in the Last Non-Click Direct attribution model. This model helps find marketing triggers that drive
14 best programmatic advertising agencies & platforms (2025)
There are a lot of programmatic advertising agencies and platforms out there. If you’re an advertiser on the hunt for a reliable, trustworthy programmatic ad partner—you’re in the right place. You need a company who knows the business of programmatic tech, and can use it to make your ad spend go further, faster. But who do you trust? You could spend weeks gathering data on the top Demand Side Platforms (DSPs) and the best Supply Side Platforms (SSPs) around. You could put your finest people on exploring ad networks and B2B programmatic ad vendors – and still be confused at the end. It may be 2021, but there’s a lot of unclear information out there. We’ve taken the time to review each of these programmatic advertising platforms for you, to help you make the best decision for your brand. Here they are! Here is a list if you prefer to skip to a specific one: War Room MediaMath Amobee Digilant Disruptive Advertising Fyber SmartyAds Choozle IgnitionOne Sizmek Tubemogul Google Marketing Platform Appnexus Console AdRoll Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash War Room War Room is a programmatic advertising agency that partners with brands across every industry—from eCommerce and tourism to real estate and finance. AdExchanger named us a Programmatic Power Player, and Neil Patel calls us one of the best programmatic ad platforms out there. (And yes — we’re absolutely confident enough to put ourselves at #1.) We built our ad tech platform Kedet from scratch. It uses Artificial Intelligence to connect your brand to the world of high-impact programmatic ads and transparent ad tech practices. Theomnichannel platform gives you simple access to an enormous list of Demand Side Platforms, suppliers, and ad networks for a smarter programmatic solution. We intentionally built our platform and agency to exceed the expectations of advertisers, based on existing studies, competitors, and comparison data. We are best known for our hyper-targeting capabilities and cross-channel attribution. With our tried-and-true methodology, SCORE, you can expect performance-driven campaigns with great Return on Ad Spend (ROAS). Look no further for outstanding, managed programmatic ad services. Our mission is to take the fear out of digital advertising! Get In Touch MediaMath The well-known ad tech giant MediaMath makes it on this list because of their omnichannel DSP offering. Great data management and intelligence sets this company apart in the programmatic space. If you’re a large brand looking for a fantastic all-rounder, check this company out. They have a strong track record that speaks volumes in the industry. Amobee Amobee is an independent advertising platform that focuses on omnichannel reach, like we do. One of their solutions involves a DSP that allows their clients to execute cross-channel programmatic campaigns. It’s admired for its extensive features and comprehensive ad tracking abilities. Known best for their programmatic display advertising options, the only criticism we can find online is that retargeting could be better. Digilant Digilant offers clients the ability to use their omnichannel agency solutions or run self-sufficient campaigns on their platform. As an agency they use the MediaMath platform to help clients run their own digital campaigns. This brand is useful when you need an agency to teach your team how to run partial or fully independent programmatic campaigns online. Disruptive Advertising As far as programmatic advertising platforms go, Disruptive Advertising focuses on PPC ads, display ads, Facebook ads and programmatic video advertising. They are known for their transparent practices and elegant dashboards – and they have hundreds of proven success studies published from their client base. Fyber Fyber is a mobile-focused programmatic ad company that helps you monetize app ads with their FinTech software development projects. Their web platform has proprietary technology and was created when 4 ad tech companies combined, offering tailored solutions through expert ReactJS development services. Now they offer mediation, real-time bidding, video advertising, and complete programmatic management solutions. SmartyAds SmartyAds is a full stack ad system that does just about everything in the programmatic realm. When you partner with them you get omnichannel programmatic, access to impressive ad tech and clean, easy-to-track viewability for your ads. This platform is for buyers, sellers and tech partners. Choozle Choozle makes it onto the list with a well-known suite of digital advertising tools. Their programmatic extends across video, mobile, display and many other formats. They are best known for their great training resources, online coaching and as a starter DSP platform with limited data insights. IgnitionOne Programmatic advertising companies with strong customer intelligence like IgnitionOne, are worth investigating. They offer omnichannel targeting and personalization to customers, but it’s limited. Feedback on the suite is that it’s not the easiest platform to use, and it’s fairly expensive. Still, it’s one of the better platforms out there for customer insights. Sizmek Sizmek was recently acquired by Amazon Advertising in 2019, which makes them a company to watch. As a programmatic ad management platform they have some smart features for clients. As one of the original digital advertising companies on the block, their multi-screen capabilities are excellent and they make a great DCO (dynamic creative optimization) for programmatic creative, for larger companies. Tubemogul Adobe’s Tubemogul is the advertising cloud that unites and automates all of your digital video advertising functions. Their focus is on personalizing the ad experience for your customer. This is a good option for video programmatic, and the platform makes it easy to execute campaigns across multiple platforms and screens. Users mention a slower UI, which is common with Adobe product offerings. Google Marketing Platform Once the king of digital advertising platforms, Google is still way up there in terms of usability and impact. It’s particularly good for programmatic search advertising, but a little clunky. General consensus is that there are better options out there for an overall DSP. Appnexus Console One of the more technical digital advertising marketplaces around, AppNexus works best if you have an on-staff analytics team. Small and large buyers will like the self-service options. On the whole, users tend to say that this company works best if you understand programming, but it is a solid DSP to use for skilled users. AdRoll Last on