In an increasingly data-driven media landscape, A+E's Precision + Performance toolkit emerges as a beacon of innovation and personalization in media buying, planning, and selling. Erica Barnes, Director of Strategic Audience Sales and Partnerships at A+E, tells us how their toolkit revolutionizes the traditional approach to marketing, offering brands a unique blend of flexibility, customization, and data-driven precision.
Since its inception in 2016, Precision + Performance has not only kept pace with but also set new standards in the media industry's race towards more targeted and measurable advertising solutions. Barnes shares the origin story of this transformative toolkit with a spark of passion in her voice. "The idea was born out of a dual realization: the need to harness television's broad reach more effectively and the necessity for robust performance metrics to gauge the real impact on customer engagement," she explains. This dual focus remains the cornerstone of A+E's strategy, ensuring that the core values of Precision + Performance remain intact even as the toolkit evolves.
What sets Precision + Performance apart is its commitment to a "one size fits one" solution. Barnes emphasizes the importance of this approach, stating, "We're not just offering tools; we're crafting bespoke strategies that align perfectly with our partners' goals. Our flexibility and collaborative spirit are what make us stand out in a crowded marketplace." This level of customization allows A+E to meet brands' specific needs through a variety of datasets and platforms, tailoring audience targeting and media proposals that span the entire consumer funnel -- from awareness to actual sales.
The toolkit's latest version offers an unprecedented range of data options across digital, linear and addressable media, ensuring campaigns are informed by the most relevant content placements and partnerships. "If a brand wants a VideoAmp currency activation, we can do that. If they want to guarantee a lift in website traffic, serve addressable ads, activate data-inform content partnerships, we can do those things. If they want to do all of that at the same time - that's what we're here for," Barnes adds. This comprehensive approach ensures that Precision + Performance can offer measurable business outcomes, backed by A+E's commitment to independent assessment.
Indeed, the integrity with which A+E handles campaign results is a testament to their dedication to transparency and accountability. "We rely on trusted third-party attribution vendors to ensure the accuracy and significance of our data," Barnes notes. This meticulous validation process allows A+E to provide clients with insightful, actionable feedback, helping them to navigate the complexities of the media landscape more effectively.
However, Barnes acknowledges the challenges that come with constant industry shifts and the quest for standardization. "Adapting to an ever-changing marketplace and ensuring consistency in how we analyze and implement media campaigns is no small feat," she muses. Yet, it's a challenge that A+E embraces wholeheartedly, participating in initiatives like the Joint Industry Committee for Alternate Currency Development to foster industry-wide collaboration and innovation.
As for the future, Barnes is unequivocal about A+E's forward-looking stance. "We're committed to staying ahead of the curve, exploring new partnerships, and harnessing technologies like AI to keep our toolkit not just relevant, but revolutionary." This proactive approach ensures that A+E remains a step ahead, ready to meet brand partners' needs with solutions that are not just timely, but visionary.
In the face of industry uncertainty and rapid technological advancement, A+E's Precision + Performance toolkit stands as a testament to the power of innovation, customization, and strategic foresight in transforming media buying, planning, and selling. With Erica Barnes at the helm, the toolkit not only meets the current demands of brand partners but anticipates their future needs, securing A+E's position as a leader in the media industry's ongoing evolution. For more information on A+E's' Performance + Precision tools, contact Erica Barnes at erica.barnes@aenetworks.com.
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The opinions expressed here are the author's views and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillage.org/MyersBizNet.