Month: October 2024

Product News | October 11, 2021

Attribution in DOOH advertising: Your questions answered

Attribution is a powerful tool for marketers, but when it comes to digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising, it’s often misunderstood and underestimated. While some advertisers believe DOOH is difficult to measure, advancements in attribution have made it easier than ever to track campaign impact.

To demystify the process and offer practical insights, we sat down with Ryan Pogy, Director of Data Partnerships at Broadsign, to answer some of the most common questions about measuring DOOH effectiveness.

What are the main challenges in DOOH attribution, and how can advertisers overcome them?

One of the unique strengths of DOOH is the variety of ways in which a message can reach an audience, which calls for a more nuanced approach to measurement. 

One of the main challenges we face is the fragmentation of DOOH media owners. Each network has its own standards and measurement methods, which makes it difficult to have a unified view of campaign performance across different environments. Another challenge is privacy compliance, particularly in regions governed by laws like GDPR. Advertisers need to ensure they’re using data responsibly and adhering to regulations.

To overcome these challenges, leveraging unified global measurement platforms is key. This is where working with the right data partners becomes crucial—partners who specialize in pulling data together from disparate sources, all while ensuring compliance with privacy laws.

What strategies are most effective for measuring DOOH performance?

There are several strategies that advertisers can employ to measure the effectiveness of their DOOH campaigns, depending on their goals. But I’ll touch on the three most popular:

  1. Brand Lift Studies: This study measures the impact of your campaign on brand metrics like brand image, preference and consideration. 
  2. Foot Traffic Analysis: Mobile location data can be used to track the number of people who visit a store after seeing a DOOH ad. These studies are particularly useful for retail campaigns aiming to drive in-store customers.
  3. Web & App Lift Studies: These studies track online actions like website visits, sign-ups, or app downloads that happen after someone is exposed to a DOOH ad.

Some advertisers prefer to combine these methods to get a more comprehensive view of their campaign performance and better optimize their strategies for future campaigns. For example,  we ran a campaign with Holt Renfrew, which combined a brand lift study and a foot traffic study. The results covered everything from top-funnel metrics like a 600% uplift in brand preference to successfully driving 400k store visits.

How can insights from Brand Lift Studies be used to optimize future campaigns?

Brand Lift Studies provide invaluable insights into how your campaign impacts brand metrics like awareness, consideration, and preference. They allow advertisers to quantify the impact of their campaigns and understand what messaging resonates with their target audience.

One of the main benefits is the ability to benchmark your performance. You can compare your results against averages in your industry and use that data to adjust your strategy for future campaigns. For example, if a particular message drove higher brand consideration, you might want to double down on that type of creative for the next campaign. Advertisers with global campaigns may also run a brand lift study in each of the markets where the campaign ran to glean market-specific insights and build their own internal benchmarks.

“Attribution is an evolving field, and staying informed about new tools and methodologies is crucial for staying competitive in today’s market. The more we innovate in DOOH measurement, the better we can justify media spend and optimize campaign performance.”

Ryan Pogy, Director of Data Partnerships at Broadsign

When measuring DOOH as part of an omnichannel campaign, how can advertisers bridge the gap between offline and online media?

Even though out-of-home (OOH) advertising takes place in the physical world, the gap between offline and online channels can be bridged by leveraging location-based play log data, which tracks when and where ads are displayed to create a detailed log of ad exposure. This data can be further enriched by integrating mobile exposure data, allowing for tracking of mobile devices that come into contact with DOOH ads. Such integration links an ad’s offline display with the digital behaviors of consumers, providing insights into how DOOH influences actions like website visits, app downloads, and even in-store visits.

By combining these offline and online data sources, advertisers can achieve a level of measurement granularity comparable to digital media, allowing them to measure and validate the impact of DOOH with the same confidence they expect from channels like social media or display ads. This approach makes DOOH attribution and optimization more actionable and data-driven.

How can device ID passbacks enhance attribution for DOOH campaigns?

Device ID passback is a powerful tool for enhancing attribution in DOOH. It allows advertisers to link ad exposure to specific customer actions, providing deeper insights into how audiences interact with ads. 

Here’s how it works: device IDs are captured when mobile devices come within a specific range of DOOH ads. These IDs are then passed back to your other digital platforms, allowing for retargeting across online channels like social media or apps.

This method offers several benefits. It provides deeper insights into audience behaviour, enabling more precise retargeting and improving overall campaign performance. Passbacks also allow for more accurate cross-channel attribution, helping advertisers understand how DOOH exposure drives online and offline conversions.

What are common pitfalls to avoid when implementing DOOH attribution strategies?

A common pitfall in DOOH attribution is relying on poor-quality data. Not all data sources are created equal, so it’s essential to work with trusted partners who can deliver accurate, reliable data. While data capabilities in DOOH have come a long way, the effectiveness of attribution depends on the quality of the data used.

Another key factor is achieving a consistent, comprehensive view of campaign timing and venue logistics. Effective DOOH attribution requires tools that can adapt to the unique characteristics of different venue types, from large-format displays like billboards to smaller screens in office buildings or residential spaces. The volume and density of signals vary across locations, so it’s important to select tools that can adjust for these variations to ensure accurate, actionable insights.

Finally, many advertisers make the mistake of not acting on the insights gained from attribution studies. Data is only useful if it leads to action. I’ve seen campaigns that initially struggled because the advertiser didn’t adjust based on early attribution data. Once they adapted their strategy, their results improved significantly.

DOOH attribution has advanced significantly, offering advertisers the tools to confidently track and optimize campaign performance across the customer journey. Whether you’re building brand awareness with brand lift studies, driving foot traffic, or boosting conversions with device ID passbacks, aligning your attribution methods with your specific goals is key. As Ryan emphasized, understanding the impact of your DOOH efforts is crucial for making data-driven decisions and refining your strategy in real-time. With the right measurement solutions, advertisers can unlock deeper insights and achieve better results with their DOOH campaigns.

For a deeper dive into DOOH attribution, check out our guide here!

Product News | October 11, 2021

How BMW Sweden’s first programmatic digital out-of-home campaign drove a 68% increase in dealership visits

German-based automotive brand BMW, known for its luxury vehicles and commitment to innovation, launched its first programmatic digital out-of-home (pDOOH) campaign in Sweden. The initiative was a strategic move to elevate the brand’s presence in this priority market and drive measurable results for its plug-in hybrid BMW 330e Touring.

Objective

The campaign aimed to boost awareness of BMW’s limited-time leasing offer while driving foot traffic to 29 dealerships across Sweden. To measure the campaign’s effectiveness on KPIs like ad recall, brand preference, attribution, brand image and action, a comprehensive brand lift study was conducted in collaboration with Broadsign and Happydemics. Additionally, a foot traffic attribution study, executed in partnership with Broadsign and Spotzi, provided insights into the uplift in showroom visits directly attributable to the campaign.

Strategy 

Screens were strategically activated in high-traffic malls, subways, and urban panels near BMW dealerships, maximizing visibility among professionals likely to visit the showrooms. Orchestrated by Mediaplus, the campaign seamlessly integrated DOOH ads via Broadsign’s SSP and Vistar Media DSP, unlocking access to premium Clear Channel Sweden inventory. Mediaplus’ expertise in planning and execution, combined with Broadsign and Vistar Media’s advanced technology for targeting and optimization, ensured the campaign delivered maximum reach and meaningful engagement across key locations. 

Results 

To assess the campaign’s impact on brand metrics, a brand lift study was conducted in partnership with Broadsign and Happydemics, focusing on key brand metrics. Audiences within a viewable area near campaign screens were surveyed, with uplift measured by comparing responses from non-ad-recallers (control group) and ad-recallers (exposed group). 

Boost in brand preference

The campaign significantly boosted brand preference, delivering a 156% uplift when comparing ad recallers to non-recallers. Overall, 41% of those who recalled the ads indicated a preference for BMW over its key competitors, highlighting the campaign’s effectiveness in swaying consumer opinion.

Powerful ad recall 

The strategic placement of ads in malls, subways and urban panels resulted in repeated exposure, leaving a lasting impression on the target audience. The campaign achieved 6.9M impressions and 4.5M ad plays, with 53% of ad recallers reporting that they saw the ad multiple times, reinforcing the message and enhancing brand recognition.

Significant Brand Attribution

BMW’s strong visual identity played a crucial role in the campaign’s success, with 61% of ad recallers correctly attributing the ad to the brand. The campaign’s impact was further underscored by an 11% uplift in attribution, demonstrating the ads’ ability to capture and retain consumer attention. These attribution results ranked in the top 15% worldwide for Automotive DOOH campaigns measured by Happydemics. 

Big Impact on positive brand image 

The campaign successfully shifted ambivalent perceptions, with a notable decrease of 28% among neutral consumers. 48% of ad recallers now hold a positive or very positive impression of the brand — a 188% uplift. According to Happydemics, the campaign ranked in the top 10% for brand image uplift among DOOH campaigns in the Automotive category. 

Inspired consumer action 

Beyond raising brand awareness, 55% of ad-recallers intended to take action on what they saw, representing a 450% uplift. Specifically, 17% of ad recallers expressed intent to purchase BMW products, while 15% planned to look up reviews, showcasing the campaign’s effectiveness in driving both interest and intent.

DOOH drove customers to dealerships

A foot traffic study was conducted in collaboration with Broadsign and Spotzi to measure the impact of the campaign on dealership visitation. An exposure radius was applied to collect a sample of mobile devices exposed to the DOOH ads that subsequently appeared in a BMW dealership location.

The campaign led to a 68% increase in visits to BMW dealerships among exposed consumers, with about half of the visits occurring the day after exposure and the remainder within 10 days. 

Nearly every dealership measured saw a rise in foot traffic, demonstrating the campaign’s powerful influence on consumer behaviour. While larger, high-traffic dealerships experienced the most significant gains, several mid- and lower-volume locations rose to the top. Moreover, DOOH assets closest to dealerships had the strongest impact. The campaign’s success was evident across the dealership network, highlighting programmatic DOOH’s ability to deliver consistent results in multiple regions. 

Want the campaign highlights? Check out the infographic below.


Product News | October 11, 2021

Out-of-Home in 2025: Advertising trends to watch from industry experts

Following a record-breaking third quarter, out-of-advertising (OOH) is projected to grow by over 5% in 2025, according to MAGNA—setting the stage for an exciting year ahead. This year’s DPAA Video Everywhere Global Summit offered an exciting glimpse into the trends shaping the industry’s growth. We had the chance to connect with key voices from brands, agencies, data partners, media owners, and more to hear their insights firsthand.

From new tech, data-driven insights, and programmatic innovations, here’s a look at the big themes to watch as OOH prepares to make a major splash over the next twelve months. 

Programmatic DOOH will continue to expand opportunities for advertisers and media owners

With a surge of new players and creative formats, OOH advertising is becoming more versatile and innovative than ever. Programmatic digital OOH (pDOOH) technology is largely to thank for this, streamlining advertisers’ entry into the space by enabling more targeted, data-driven campaigns. 

Adam Malone, President & Co-Founder of Screenverse, predicts a significant shift for media owners in the pDOOH space in 2025. “Nowadays, media owners can activate 10, 15, 20 screens in a market with a lot of demand. With access to programmatic exchanges, they can monetize those first screens immediately. This will drive significant opportunities over the next three to five years, with many niche players emerging across specific venue types. Programmatic will continue to be a massive driver of opportunity for the media owners, but also an important access point for advertisers and agencies so that they can come in and experience the power of digital out-of-home,” says Malone. 

With momentum continuing to build in pDOOH, advertisers are spotting new ways to bridge DOOH with channels like connected TV (CTV), a medium expected to see further growth in 2025. Strengthening the synergy between these channels will be a key trend as the industry works to unlock its full potential together. “We’ve seen consistent growth throughout 2024,” says Mary Perrella, VP of Media and Marketing at Vengo Labs, “We’ll likely see OOH play a bigger role in amplifying CTV’s reach by extending campaigns into physical spaces, helping brands deliver cohesive messaging across in-home and out-of-home screens.”

The gap between online and offline attribution is narrowing

Ali Broback, Chief Client Officer and Partner at ODN agency, emphasizes that while tracking outcomes like app downloads or web traffic is straightforward for advertisers, the next important step is to accurately measure OOH efficacy, “Brands and agencies understand that attribution is now a part of the OOH industry. It’s easy to prove app downloads or web lifts, but what will be exciting next year is seeing how we can track actual impressions delivered at the end of a campaign instead of banking on what was projected,” she comments.

Remco Dolman, CEO and founder of Spotzi agrees, highlighting the need for OOH to mirror the audience-targeting capabilities of online advertising. “There’s a wealth of data available—foot traffic, car data, and more—and we can collaborate with brands and retailers to access their data as well,” he says. “With CTV, out-of-home is becoming less siloed. We’re now able to measure two verticals in a more unified way, and I believe we’ll see a similar integration between OOH and online media in the future.”

Jonathan Mark, Managing Director of USA & Canada at Worldcom OOH, is equally optimistic about how data is transforming DOOH targeting. “We’re getting closer to making that one-on-one connection in OOH. If you look at over-the-top media (OTT), it’s about reaching specific households. OOH is getting better at leveraging data to improve targeting, like pinpointing where and how to connect with consumers at the moment of impact.”

Sustainability in media continues to be a growing priority, especially among advertisers

Sustainability is now a focal point in the media industry, reflecting a shift towards innovative products and solutions that prioritize environmental responsibility. As part of this movement, agencies are actively exploring new ways to make media planning and campaigns more sustainable. Stephanie Scheller, Managing Partner of Sustainable Solutions EMEA at Omnicom Media Group (OMG), shares that Omnicom has taken a significant step by establishing a sustainability consultancy staffed with experts in environmental studies. Combined with OMG’s media expertise, they aim to offer the best of both worlds when it comes to conscious yet effective media strategies.

“Our number one priority is effective media planning,” Stephanie says. “You can create the greenest media plan, but if you’re not reaching your target audience, you’re producing carbon emissions for no reason. We’re here to help [advertisers] make decisions that are both sustainable and impactful.” To support this, Omnicom has developed innovative tools to help optimize media mixes based on traditional key performance indicators (KPIs) and carbon emissions, allowing for more sustainable choices within existing strategies. 

Experts agree that in 2025, even more brands and agencies will choose media partners who prioritize sustainability, like those using green electricity or recyclable materials to lower carbon footprints. As new regulations make sustainability a “must-have” rather than a “nice-to-have,” change management and education will be essential in helping clients and stakeholders navigate these shifting expectations and requirements.

READ ALSO: See the latest update on Broadsign’s sustainability journey

Retail media is set to thrive as in-store media makes its mark

Retail media is expected to comprise two-thirds of a projected $67 billion in media ad spending by 2025, according to eMarketer. This surge is driving significant interest in in-store retail media, an area predicted to see major growth next year as retail media networks expand. As retailers look for ways to diversify revenue streams and optimize both in-store and digital experiences, brands will also continue to look for ways to reach audiences in-store with relevant and engaging messaging, especially as physical shopping remains a key part of the purchasing journey.

Jonathan Franco, Sales Director, Retail Media at Broadsign, envisions the future of retail media as one where physical stores transform into dynamic multimedia environments. Data-driven insights will play a key role in helping retailers refine marketing strategies, optimize store layouts, and manage inventory more efficiently. This approach also opens the door to programmatic bidding on digital in-store advertising, providing retailers with a smarter way to monetize.

“We expect programmatic retail media buying to grow, creating opportunities for advertisers to automate and optimize ad placements across both digital and physical retail spaces while keeping control,” says Jon. “This will make retail media more accessible for brands of all sizes and improve campaign efficiency. AI will be central to this transformation, enabling brands to refine campaign strategies, improve attribution models, and dynamically adjust messaging in real-time for better ROI.”

Franco also emphasizes the growing importance of blending physical and digital touchpoints, stating, “Retailers have the opportunity to blur lines between shopping and media consumption, creating consistent omnichannel experiences that engage consumers wherever they are. By turning stores into content-driven environments, retailers can operate more like media companies, using every touchpoint as an opportunity to connect with their audience.”

“When we talk about bringing our in-store signage into the media ecosystem, it’s really about capitalizing on data,” explains Malone. “How can we enrich our digital screens in and around retail locations with the data that CPG brands use to determine the best return on ad spend? It’s not just about putting video on those screens—it’s about using data and context to maximize impact.” Integrated with digital tools, in-store media gathers valuable customer behaviour and preferences data, enabling more targeted and effective campaigns.

With momentum building and new opportunities on the horizon, 2025 promises to be a standout year for OOH. From advancements in programmatic technology to deeper integration with digital channels like CTV, OOH is capturing more attention—and ad spend. Automation, data-driven insights, and new creative formats are levelling the playing field with other media, offering advertisers fresh ways to connect with audiences in meaningful, measurable ways. 

Interested in running creative and impactful DOOH campaigns in 2025? Connect with us today.

Product News | October 11, 2021

Sanctuary Billboards: Elevating Kuala Lumpur’s advertising landscape with the Broadsign Platform

Out-of-home advertising is having a banner year, with OOH advertising revenue having increased by 3.4% in the second quarter of 2024, according to the OAAA. 

The rise of digital out-of-home (DOOH) is fueling this growth, largely due to technological advancements. Given all this momentum, it’s not surprising to see OOH and DOOH gaining traction worldwide, especially in a country like Malaysia, which has the sixth-largest GDP in Southeast Asia.

One billboard company is leading the charge in Malaysia’s increasingly competitive advertising landscape. Sanctuary Billboards is a media owner committed to delivering high-quality advertising in the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. Under the leadership of its CEO, Paul James Sapwell, the company’s philosophy is quality over quantity, focusing on acquiring only the best sites for both its static and digital inventory to deliver maximum impact. Strategically speaking, this enhances the aesthetic appeal of the advertisements and drives higher traffic numbers compared to competitors.

Sanctuary Billboards’s screens feature dynamic and varied content that captures the attention of passersby and keeps the visual experience fresh, engaging and, most importantly, compelling while delivering impactful and effective advertising on every screen. 

Harnessing the power (and potential) of DOOH in Malaysia 

What does DOOH bring to Sanctuary Billboards? According to Nick Sapwell, the company’s Digital Production Manager, digital screens are a platform that can provide endless possibilities. “We are particularly excited about the fact that our billboards are eye-catching in a way that most other advertising platforms are not. Unlike other forms of advertising that can be skipped or ignored, outdoor ads demand attention, leading to superior turnover rates and greater brand recall,” he says.

What does the future hold for programmatic DOOH? 

Programmatic DOOH (pDOOH) exchanges promise expanded reach, increased revenue, and a rising demand for inventory. Though still a relatively small segment, pDOOH is experiencing rapid growth in the region, and Sanctuary Billboards is ahead of the curve and in dialogue with most stakeholders.

“Sanctuary Billboards’s choice to partner with Broadsign was driven by its mission to offer the best quality screens and sites. Broadsign’s reputable CMS system provides the flexibility needed to meet diverse client demands,” said Nick Sapwell. In addition to leveraging the Broadsign Platform, Sanctuary Billboards is developing proprietary software for reading Broadsign’s APIs. This move marks another innovation by the media owner that will provide clients with comprehensive data reports to further enhance the value it brings to its partners and customers. 

Looking ahead, Sanctuary Billboards plans to reinvest profits from its existing digital screens by converting more static sites into digital ones. The company is also keen to grow its offering, expanding into offering ad creation services to its clients in video production and editing. Content customisation which is relevant to viewing situations ensures effective communication, a point of difference learned from Sanctuary’s strategic partner, Plan B Media.

Ultimately, Sanctuary Billboards is about more than just advertising. It’s an organization that embraces the opportunity to set new benchmarks in quality and innovation within the industry. With a strong foundation and a clear vision for the future, Sanctuary Billboards is well-positioned to continue its growth and solidify its status as a leader in Kuala Lumpur’s OOH advertising landscape.

Want to grow your out-of-home network? Schedule a live demo to see how we can help make that happen!