AdExchanger’s opinion columns present sharp arguments that illuminate specific industry challenges and provide critical insight that can help readers do their jobs better. The very best columns are engaging, on-point and fun to read.
Our 10 most popular op-eds of 2018 below delivered on each count.
We have to give a gold star to Martin Kihn (formerly of Gartner and now at Salesforce), author of three of our most-read columns. Not far behind is MightyHive, the consultancy recently acquired by S4 that contributed two of our top columns.
Will we see another AdExchanger op-ed written by Kihn and MightyHive in 2019? Perhaps only their new handlers know for sure (wink wink).
Did Google Just Kill Independent Attribution?
By Martin Kihn
Google sent shockwaves through the industry in late April when it announced that it would restrict buyers’ use of the DoubleClick ID. Kihn puts the controversial move under the glass and predicts the likely winners and losers (sorry, independent MTA vendors).
What Is This Thing We Call A CDP?
By Martin Kihn
People have long griped about the digital advertising industry’s obsession with the latest shiny object. The newest shiny acronym to hit is the CDP (customer data platform). Kihn breaks down the pros and cons of the tech that aspires to bridge marketers’ siloed data and systems.
A Closer Look At Demand-Path Optimization: Why Humans Matter
By Erik Requidan
Supply-path optimization is increasingly used to help buyers find the most efficient and cost-effective route to the ad inventory they want. But some publishers are trying to meet them halfway from the other direction. Intermarket’s Erik Requidan explains.
By Martin Kihn
As the CDP sparkles, so fades the luster of the data-management platform. But will the death rattles surrounding this third-party data workhorse ring true? Only if you want them to, Kihn opines.
The Strategic Impact Of GDPR (With Emoji)
By Ari Paparo
Ari Paparo says he’s no expert on the General Data Protection Regulation, but he is quite skilled at using flaming euros and GDPR baguettes to illustrate how this far-reaching law will affect the industry’s constituents. And if there is anyone who can more eloquently describe how sausage-making compares to ad tech, we haven’t met them.
What Will Ad Tech Consolidation Look Like?
By Pete Kim
MightyHive’s CEO gives his take on how the winners of the ad tech game will consolidate around four key strengths – an interesting view from the leader of a company that was itself just acquired.
Forget Viewability: Your Ads Aren’t Serving
By Bennett Rosenblatt
While many people are concerned about viewability, they should instead be examining whether their ads are even being served. A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how Uber discovered that exchanges aren’t monitoring their inventory for even basic issues.
Acxiom’s Next Steps And The LiveRamp Acquisition Four Years Later
By Auren Hoffman
The industry has watched Acxiom’s moves to sell all or some of its business units closely. The former CEO of LiveRamp – one of Acxiom’s prized units – provides the inside track on possible outcomes.
Google Hasn’t Killed Attribution Modeling – It Never Really Worked To Begin With
By Nico Neumann
We like strong viewpoints, and this one’s sharp elbows didn’t disappoint. (Sorry again, independent MTA vendors. You guys just can’t catch a break this year.)
The Seventh Deadly Sin Of Digital: Reach And Frequency
By Ming Wu
Another winner from MightyHive shows how marketers’ quest for reach and frequency can lead them to the dark side.
