🤖 AI and Advertising is here to stay.

🚀 In this weeks edition we talk why AI is here to stay, reveal why advertisers and audiences aren’t seeing eye to eye and breakdown the newest research on Meta’s advertising trends. ⤵️

💡 Spotlight: Study Reveals Critical Disconnect Between Advertisers and Consumers

A recent study by iHeartMedia and Pushkin Industries has uncovered a significant gap between marketers and their target audience, with far-reaching implications for digital advertising strategies.

🔑 Key findings:

• 44% of Americans feel ignored by advertisers, spanning various demographics

• 70% of consumers find digital ads irrelevant despite sophisticated targeting

• Marketers' personal biases heavily influence data collection and targeting strategies

• Advertisers over-invest in platforms with overlapping audiences, limiting true reach

What This Means for Advertisers:

1. Reevaluate Your Data: Your audience data might be skewed by unconscious biases. Consider conducting a comprehensive audit of your data sources and collection methods.
   

2. Diversify Channels: Explore under utilized platforms to reach ignored consumer segments, like Pinterest, Snapchat or WhatsApp. Don't just chase the latest trends – think about where your entire audience spends their time.
   

3. Balance Frequency and Reach: Ensure you're not just hitting the same audience repeatedly across similar platforms. Aim for a mix that truly expands your reach.
   

4. Challenge Assumptions: The study found marketers and consumers differ significantly in values and interests. Regularly test your assumptions about your target audience.

5. Prioritize Authenticity: 75% of consumers would pay more to support brands that share their values. Focus on genuine connections rather than just demographic targeting.

🔍 Takeaway for DTC Brands:

This study is a wake-up call for digital advertisers. It's time to step back and reassess whether our targeting strategies are truly serving our goals or if we're caught in an echo chamber of our own making.

If you're concerned about blind spots in your targeting strategy, talk to a trusted agency partner about how we can help you reach a more diverse and engaged audience.

🔍 Insider Info: Meta’s Latest Holiday Trends

The latest reporting on Meta advertising from CRC Research has landed, and we’ve broken down what advertisers need to know.

Meta Momentum: 3Q shows advertisers doubling down on Meta. Why? Increased focus on direct response (DR) and strong ROI are offsetting higher CPMs. Smart move or bandwagon effect?

Holiday Optimism: Forecasts are looking merry and bright. Advertisers are planning to pump even more into DR, with Meta as the primary target. Is this the year to go all-in on Meta for the holidays?

ROI Rockstars: Performance continues to outshine targets. The secret sauce? Expanded use of Advantage+ (ADV+) and recent GA4 integration. Are you leveraging these tools to their full potential?

GA4 Game-Changer: The GA4 integration is more than just a tech update. It's driving improved performance and is expected to boost targeting and signal in 2025. The catch? It's also driving up CPMs. Is the trade-off worth it for your brand?

AI Creative Revolution: Gen-AI is gaining traction in creative testing, with Meta now offering financial incentives. Current usage focuses on basic photo editing, but we expect this to evolve rapidly. Are you ready to ride the AI creative wave?

Meta's ecosystem is evolving fast. Brands that adapt quickly to these changes – leveraging new tools, integrations, and AI capabilities – are positioned to capture significant market share this holiday season and beyond.

Weekly Roundup: Major News in Digital Advertising and E-Commerce

That’s a wrap for this week’s edition of Ad Insider!

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