AI is changing the way ads are created, from generating copy to improving animation. These changes can ease the heavy lifting for creative teams and reduce the time to market for brands eager to push campaigns live. But what other impacts, positive and negative, might AI have on mobile and digital ads? Has it truly revolutionized advertising? As these technologies evolve, they have the potential to simplify and improve efficiency within creative processes. Brands and creative teams will be able to launch campaigns faster and more easily — while still requiring the touch of human creativity. St ..read more

We’ve all heard that hybrid monetization, the strategy of combining multiple revenue streams such as ads and in-app purchases (IAP) in an app to maximize profitability, is a trend that’s seeing a significant uptick in adoption this year within the mobile gaming industry. What you may not have heard are the specific tactics and mindset shifts required for app developers and marketers to achieve success for themselves. AppLovin’s VP of Global Business Development, Daniel Tchernahovsky, sat down in a recent PocketGamer podcast with industry veterans Peggy Ann Salz, founder of MobileGroove, and Br ..read more

Cannes Lions 2024: An introduction Cannes Lions is the largest and among the most stylish events in the creative advertising and marketing industry, and Cannes Lions 2024 was no different, except perhaps in scope. Every year, besides being speckled with celebrities, top international brands like Reddit, Meta, Coca-Cola, and more arrive at the French Riviera to show off their creative prowess and stream from cabana to cabana, unveiling product news and listening in on the topics du jour. Some even compete to walk away with the prestigious Grand Prix award, arguably the most coveted creative adv ..read more

When the Wall Street Journal revealed that Forbes was selling inventory on a Made-for-Advertising (MFA) site in early 2024, the industry became aware of just how big a problem it had. An estimated 15% of all programmatic dollars spent on the traditional web go to MFA sites. In some cases, shockingly, marketers had allocated those funds for premium inventory – which they clearly weren’t getting.  What are MFA sites? The best definition comes from ANA’s Programmatic Media Supply Chain Transparency report:  MFA sites typically use sensational headlines, clickbait, and provocative conte ..read more

The first webinar of our Coffee + Creatives series, AI in Ad Production, is live! In it, the team at SparkLabs shares their comprehensive journey of integrating AI tools into their creative processes. Jessica Dolan, Mike Cruz, and Jaden Cheng of SparkLabs explain their phased approach, starting from initial exploration to full integration of AI into their workflows. By sharing their experiences, challenges, and key learnings, the team provides valuable insights for anyone looking to leverage AI in their team’s creative processes. Watch this snippet from the webinar! The webinar kicks off with ..read more

Considering working with ad networks for user acquisition? Smart thinking. Networks offer app developers the advantage of access to a broad inventory of ad placements across various publishers, making it easier to win new users through targeted campaigns. They simplify the process by aggregating ad space so you can reach a vast audience without having to negotiate directly with each individual publisher. Most provide tools for tracking performance, optimizing campaigns, and maximizing return on investment (ROI), and many also offer DSP access. Working with an ad network for UA involves several ..read more

TLDR: In-app ads offer everything brands could ever want: Targeting, scale, high-impact formats, and full attention. Here’s why brands need to start paying attention right now.  Everyone’s on mobile apps When Apple trademarked the phrase “there’s an app for that” in 2009, it was novel, aspirational, and eventually overused. Now, with millions of available apps, it’s close to the truth—and it explains why the average American has 80 apps on their smartphone. They may not use all of them every day, but they do use nine or 10 of them daily for everything from checking the weather to planning ..read more

As the mobile app industry evolves, mastering the art of programmatic advertising — particularly in-app bidding — becomes essential for developers eager to scale effectively and maximize revenue. An important part of optimization with in-app bidding starts with a solid technical foundation by ensuring your bidding integration follows the guidance of your SSP and networks. Work with partners like MAX, which has powerful reporting capabilities and developer tools, to understand performance and remove blockers limiting scale. In this article, we’ll explore the best practices for bolstering your a ..read more

User acquisition is the heartbeat of mobile app marketing, but the strategies for gaming and non-gaming apps are vastly different. Each category demands a unique approach to attract, engage, and retain users effectively. To guide you through the distinct landscapes of gaming and non-gaming mobile apps, here’s an exploration of these differences. Revenue streams and initial user engagement Non-gaming apps: Revenue sources in non-gaming sectors like retail or services (think of ads you’ve seen in apps for lawn care providers, realtors, or IT security services) are varied. These apps connect the ..read more

#SHIPPED is back, and what a time to achieve new growth for your business. #SHIPPED is our quarterly series where we share the latest product updates that help accelerate your business and fuel your growth strategy.   This quarter holds a focus on the campaigns our AI engine supports, MAX plugin and format expansions, brand safety, and more. Let’s dive into #SHIPPED updates without further ado. Q1 2024 Platform Feature Benefits AppDiscovery CTV Advertising Update: Powered by our AI advertising engine Closely achieve ROAS goals with campaigns that accurately target high-quality u ..read more