All posts by Experian Marketing Services

Programmatic advertising has become much more sophisticated over the years. As capabilities have expanded, so has complexity. Marketers are now working across more platforms, with more signals and opportunities to optimize. Despite performance improvements, it can take time to fully understand what’s driving results and how to scale them. Agentic artificial intelligence (AI) is closing that gap. Instead of just automating tasks, it introduces systems that can interpret signals, suggest next steps, and enable action within defined parameters — helping live campaigns adapt, and your marketing feel more human-centered. In this article, we’ll break down what agentic AI looks like in programmatic advertising, how it’s changing campaign planning and activation, and where it’s delivering the most impact. What is programmatic advertising in the agentic AI era? Programmatic advertising is the automated, cross-channel buying and selling of digital media across channels like display, video, and connected TV (CTV). In the age of agentic AI, marketers can identify and act on opportunities while campaigns are live, as agentic AI functions less as a passive tool and more like a dynamic teammate. With AI-powered programmatic marketing, your team can now proactively anticipate what’s likely to work next, simplify fragmented channels into a more unified strategy, and focus campaigns on outcomes that move your business forward with support from predictive insight and real-time intelligence. Machine learning now processes and analyzes massive volumes of data in milliseconds, allowing systems to decide which impression to buy, what it’s worth, and where it’ll deliver the most impact in real time. How is agentic AI reshaping programmatic marketing? Programmatic advertising has always been about automation, but agentic AI is pushing it into something more adaptive. AI-driven processes now analyze the marketplace and enable autonomous media activation with human oversight, grounded in responsible automation. As you integrate agentic AI into your advertising, it helps automate time-intensive, day-to-day tasks so your team can focus more on strategy, planning, and performance. Marketers still define the goals, set the guardrails, and oversee how AI is applied, which keeps decisions aligned with business objectives, compliance requirements, and overall campaign strategy. Here’s how marketers can benefit from agentic AI: AI accelerates and improves how fragmented signals across identity, behavior, and context are connected into a usable customer view. Optimization happens continuously, not in reporting cycles, as bids, audiences, and spend adjust in real time. Decisioning moves beyond static rules toward adaptive, data-driven prioritization. Predictive models help reduce waste by identifying low-value impressions before allocating spend. Personalization becomes more accurate while still grounded in privacy-safe, identity-first data. Learn more from industry leaders How is AI transforming media curation and supply optimization? Programmatic advertising has traditionally relied on open exchange buying, optimizing across large volumes of inventory. As AI becomes more embedded in programmatic marketing, the focus is shifting toward more intentional activation, prioritizing environments that are more likely to perform from the start. Dynamic curation and supply optimization With dynamic curation, AI aligns predictive audiences with contexts where engagement is strongest, using real-time signals to determine who to reach and where they’re most likely to engage. Campaigns are guided toward higher-probability environments upfront, rather than relying on post-impression optimization. This moves programmatic marketing away from broad open exchange buying and toward more curated, intentional activation, with continuous adjustments as signals evolve. Emerging agentic workflows Emerging agentic workflows introduce systems that analyze performance, recommend changes, and activate them within defined guardrails. Instead of waiting for reporting cycles, campaigns continuously evaluate signals and adjust in real time. AI handles day-to-day decisions like shifting spend or refining audiences, while marketers retain strategic control and accountability. Generative and analytical AI applications Not all AI in programmatic advertising is about activation. Many gains are happening behind the scenes, especially in analytics. Generative and analytical AI support tasks like attribute development, description creation, and insight acceleration. This reduces time spent on reporting and helps teams focus on understanding performance, surfacing patterns, and identifying what to scale. Experian’s curation capabilities At Experian, we combine identity-based predictive data with contextual AI models to better align audiences with available supply. With Audigent now part of Experian, audiences are indexed to the live bidstream and contextual signals, helping campaigns activate in environments where they’re more likely to perform. Experian Curated Deals package high-quality inventory, such as streaming and premium lifestyle content, with predictive audience data. When layered with our #1-ranked data accuracy by Truthset, these deals become predictive and help you activate greater confidence in campaign placement and performance. Practical use cases of AI in complex and regulated markets The value of AI in programmatic advertising becomes clearer in environments where complexity is highest, such as industries with strict regulations, fragmented data, and significant financial stakes tied to every impression. Financial services, healthcare, and retail all require approaches that balance accuracy, compliance, and measurable outcomes, built on privacy-first data and human-centered activation. The following shows how programmatic advertising can come to life in practice. Financial services In financial services, performance only matters when it’s compliant. AI helps marketers reach qualified consumers without crossing regulatory lines. Your team can: Activate identity-based audiences for lending, credit, and financial products within defined compliance guardrails. Use predictive financial attributes (where permitted) to prioritize prequalified and high-intent consumers. Support responsible offer prioritization and budget allocation based on eligibility and likelihood to respond. Operate within transparent, auditable environments designed for regulated activation. Healthcare Healthcare marketing requires accuracy without ever exposing sensitive data. AI enables more relevant engagement while maintaining strict privacy standards. With AI-powered programmatic marketing, you can: Activate privacy-safe, compliant health-interest segments without relying on protected personal data. Deliver campaigns without exposing sensitive identifiers or violating regulatory requirements. Optimize delivery based on region, timing, and contextual alignment with patient research behavior. Maintain controlled, privacy-forward environments that prioritize trust and compliance. Commerce media In commerce media, programmatic performance is measured by its impact on transactions and revenue. AI helps unify signals into a more connected, outcome-driven strategy. It empowers marketers to: Connect household-level insights to activation across CTV, display, and commerce media networks. Use AI-powered identity resolution to maintain continuity as consumers move across devices, channels, and purchase journeys. Enable dynamic curation by aligning predictive audiences with more effective inventory in real time. Adjust spend toward environments and segments that actively drive purchase behavior. As these use cases expand across industries, so does the need to ensure AI is applied responsibly. Trust, transparency, and ethical challenges in AI-powered AdTech As AI takes on a larger role in programmatic advertising, the focus is shifting from what it can do to how it does it. Marketers need to validate results and the data behind them to ensure every decision stands up to regulatory and consumer scrutiny. AI systems now influence audience selection, media investment, and measurement at scale. But those decisions are only as reliable as the data behind them. Without clear governance, it becomes difficult to answer basic but critical questions, such as, “What data informed this decision? Was it compliant?” Or, “Could bias be influencing the outcome?” This is why trust in AI starts with the data rather than the model. AI governance and data stewardship Rather than governing our clients’ AI systems, Experian helps govern the data those systems depend on. Our guiding principle is simple: responsible automation begins with governed data. We ground our AI approach in strict data governance frameworks, ensuring the data entering any model is compliant, consented to, and accurate before it’s used. We treat AI and machine learning as advanced modeling technologies operating within contractual and privacy-first guidelines, with controls for data quality, consent validation, and compliance applied upfront. In the end, you’ll have confidence that your AI outputs are not only performant but also explainable, auditable, and aligned with regulatory expectations from the beginning. Clear usage restrictions Strong governance only works when it’s paired with clear boundaries. To protect data integrity, privacy, and compliance, Experian enforces strict controls on how data is used across AI and programmatic workflows. Data is used only within defined contractual, legal, and regulatory guidelines. Sensitive information is protected and restricted from use in unauthorized environments. Data access is limited to approved, compliant systems and workflows. Data is not shared, exposed, or repurposed beyond its intended use. AI processing occurs within controlled environments that meet privacy and security standards. AI use cases are subject to appropriate review, governance, and oversight. These guardrails give you the assurance that innovation moves forward without compromising trust. Bias mitigation and responsible modeling As AI plays a larger role in audience creation and activation, models must be continuously monitored for fairness. At Experian, models are continuously reviewed and refined to reduce bias and ensure outputs align with responsible marketing practices and changing regulations. Consent and consumer control Consumer consent and control are central to responsible AI usage in programmatic advertising. Data must be sourced through compliant, transparent mechanisms, with controls that allow consumers to access, manage, and opt out of how their data is used. This aligns with regulatory frameworks such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (where applicable). How Experian enhances every stage of the agentic AI programmatic workflow AI in programmatic advertising only works if the system behind it is connected. When data, activation, and measurement are fragmented, optimization lags. Experian brings those pieces together. By connecting identity, data, activation, and measurement into one workflow, AI can continuously turn first-party data into predictive audiences, help you activate them across channels, and measure outcomes in a single, connected system. AI-ready data foundation Everything in AI programmatic advertising starts with the data. Experian transforms first-party data into a predictive asset by onboarding and enriching it with Experian Marketing Data, ranked #1 in accuracy by Truthset, and unifying it through our Digital and Offline Graph.This creates a high-integrity data layer that improves audience quality, extends reach, and supports activation across channels while maintaining privacy-forward standards. Predictive intelligence Predictive intelligence helps you understand what’s likely to work before activation begins. Experian applies behavioral modeling and signal analysis to identify high-potential audiences and generate identity-based lookalikes based on shared characteristics and patterns.As campaigns run, AI surfaces next-best opportunities so teams can adjust activation strategy in real time. Audience discovery and creation Experian simplifies audience creation by bringing everything into one place. First-party data is combined with Experian Audiences and expanded through access to Partner Audiences in our data marketplace. Instead of stitching together multiple inputs, you’re working from a more complete, connected view upfront.Our platforms and audience teams then help identify, build, and refine segments based on relevant attributes, reducing manual setup, accelerating activation, and enabling scalable, persona-based audience creation. Identity-rooted activation After you’ve defined your audiences, identity becomes critical in consistently reaching them across channels. Partner with Experian for agentic AI-driven programmatic campaigns Experian helps you turn first-party data into marketing that feels more connected, relevant, and accountable, bringing together identity, AI, and privacy-first data to support better decisions from planning to outcomes. Speak to an Experian expert about enabling agentic AI in your programmatic advertising strategy today. FAQs What is AI in programmatic advertising? AI in programmatic advertising uses machine learning to improve how media is bought, targeted, and optimized. It enhances audience discovery, activation, and measurement by analyzing large volumes of data in real time, allowing campaigns to adapt continuously instead of relying on static rules. How does Experian use AI in programmatic advertising? Experian supports programmatic advertising across the full workflow, from identity resolution and audience development to contextual indexing and outcome-based measurement. Through a combination of Experian’s platforms, data, and audience teams, marketers can turn fragmented signals into more connected, performance-driven campaigns. What is agentic AI in advertising? Agentic AI in advertising refers to systems that can analyze performance, recommend changes, and activate optimizations within defined guardrails. Unlike traditional automation, these systems adapt in real time while marketers maintain strategic oversight and control. How does Experian support privacy-first AI? Experian supports privacy-first AI through strict data governance frameworks, compliant data sourcing, and transparent modeling practices. Identity resolution and activation are designed to meet regulatory requirements while maintaining consumer trust and control. How does AI improve audience discovery? AI improves audience discovery through predictive modeling, inferred attributes, and lookalike techniques to identify high-potential audiences. It also surfaces next-best segments, reducing manual effort and accelerating time to activation. How does AI support media curation? AI supports media curation by aligning predictive audiences with high-performing environments in real time. Through dynamic curation and Experian Curated Deals, campaigns activate in more relevant contexts rather than relying on broad open exchange buying. Latest posts

What challenge was American Home Shield trying to solve with audience curation? American Home Shield (AHS) wanted to reach people in-market for home warranty products with greater accuracy and efficiency. They wanted to improve targeting, personalize campaigns across channels, and reduce cost per action (CPA). For acquisition-focused brands, audience curation can improve both media efficiency and business outcomes. AHS, a pioneer in the home warranty industry, worked with Audigent, a part of Experian, to segment and target in-market home warranty audiences more effectively through Experian Curated Deals. AHS's goals Better understand online audiences through improved targeting Segment and personalize campaigns more efficiently across channels Reach people in market for home warranty products more effectively Improve CPA How did Experian use audience curation for American Home Shield? Experian used audience curation to help AHS better identify, understand, and target online audiences in-market for home warranty products. Our audience curation approach gave AHS real-time performance insight and a more efficient way to act on what was working during the campaign. Using Audigent data, AHS identified a focused set of audience segments including: Consumers in-market for home warranty or protection DIYers New homeowners Parents Real estate buyers and sellers What audience curation approach did American Home Shield use? We applied three audience curation methods to help AHS reach relevant audiences across audio, display, and online video. This mix gave AHS broader coverage and a clearer read on which curated audiences and activation methods supported stronger acquisition efficiency. Our audience curation strategy included three methods: Contextual-based Predictive Indexed Audience-based Fallon, AHS's agency, played a critical role in shaping AHS’s audience curation strategy, media activation, and real-time optimization across channels. What results did American Home Shield see from audience curation? AHS improved acquisition efficiency and gained a stronger understanding of audience performance. Our audience curation approach helped AHS identify which curated segments delivered better results and supported more efficient media decisions. "Partnering with Audigent, a part of Experian, feels like working with a true extension of our own team. They are deeply engaged in campaign performance and collaborate closely with our media agency to optimize in real time. Through testing curation with Audigent, we have improved CPA efficiency while also gaining meaningful business efficiencies. We now have a clear understanding of which segments perform best and why, unlocking new value for our home warranty products.”Andrea Steele, Director, Media & Marketing Experian Curated Deals produced measurable gains across performance and operational efficiency, including: 18% overall improvement in CPA efficiency 3.7x more cost-efficient streaming audio than AHS’s pre-partnership benchmarks 28% lower cost for AHS prospecting display versus pre-partnership benchmarks Explore more examples of how brands are driving performance with Experian Windstar Cruises Leading athletic retailer Swiss Sense Pet brand Download our full case study with American Home Shield AHS partnered with us to segment and target in-market home warranty audiences more effectively through audience curation. Our innovative approach to curation forms the backbone of AHS’s goal of driving acquisition across online media. Download now Contact us About American Home Shield As a pioneer in the home warranty industry, American Home Shield (AHS) serves millions of customers across the U.S. and operates under the Frontdoor, Inc. umbrella. FAQs How did audience curation help American Home Shield improve CPA efficiency? Audience curation helped American Home Shield (AHS) focus media investment on in-market home warranty audiences across display, online video, and audio. Our approach gave the AHS team greater visibility into segment performance and improved CPA efficiency by 18%. Audience curation means combining audience data, inventory, and optimization into a single activation approach. Experian used audience curation to help AHS activate relevant segments more efficiently and understand which audiences were driving stronger acquisition results. How does Experian help brands use audience curation across channels? Experian helps brands apply audience curation by connecting audience strategy, activation, and optimization across media environments. That gives marketers a clearer way to compare curated audience performance, refine segment choices, and improve efficiency across channels. Why does audience curation matter for acquisition campaigns? Audience curation matters because it helps marketers align audience data and media placement more intentionally. That gives teams a clearer view of which audiences and environments are contributing to performance, enabling more informed future acquisition decisions. What are Experian Curated Deals? Experian Curated Deals unify premium data and premium inventory into optimized private marketplaces designed for performance. Delivered as simple Deal IDs, Curated Deals enrich bidstreams with real-time, privacy-safe signals and apply supply path optimization to improve efficiency and campaign outcomes. Latest posts

What advertising trends does Experian’s 2026 State of advertising report highlight? 2026 State of advertising report Experian’s 2026 State of advertising report shows that advertising trends in 2026 will be defined by how well organizations connect data, identity, and measurable outcomes. Our 2026 State of advertising report brings together perspectives from 14 leaders operating across key parts of the advertising ecosystem to show how these shifts are taking shape in practice. Download the report Watch the Q&A videos Who’s featured in Experian's 2026 State of advertising report? Our 2026 State of advertising report includes perspectives from 14 leaders across the ecosystem covering a variety of topics including: These perspectives reflect directional signals from leaders across the ecosystem. They are not exhaustive views of any one vertical. They are operational insights from teams navigating change in real time. In addition to the written analysis, you can watch the full one-on-one Q&A conversations with each partner here. Watch the Q&A videos What signals are shaping advertising trends in 2026? Five signals are shaping advertising trends in 2026. Together, they explain why advertising trends in 2026 center on clarity, connection, and measurable outcomes. Across every conversation with our partners, five themes stand out: 1. AI 2. Measurement 3. Identity, privacy, and first-party data 4. Commerce media, connected TV, mobile, and social 5. Identity Below, we spotlight three perspectives from our report. Scott Bender's perspective on AI-driven workflows Scott Bender, Head of Publisher & Platform Partnerships at Newton Research, is a media and AdTech veteran who has led go to market and revenue teams across traditional media, retail media, consulting, and early stage startups, helping organizations translate data and product strategy into scalable commercial growth. How is AI moving upstream into planning and measurement? AI is changing how teams work before campaigns run. Teams apply AI to planning and measurement first, then scale into activation with clear rules and human oversight. AI’s first impact is operational Teams are applying AI to planning and measurement before activation. The early gains are showing up in analytics, forecasting, and workflow compression, especially in areas constrained by time and data science resources. Automation works when humans define the rules Repeatable, rules-based processes are where AI performs best today. Strategy, guardrails, and judgment remain human-led. AI scales execution without removing accountability. The biggest barrier in AI is rethinking workflows AI adoption slows when teams try to layer automation onto legacy playbooks. Progress happens when workflows are redesigned for agentic execution, rather than human-only processes. “The workflows we’ve built for humans don’t always make sense for AI. Progress comes when teams redesign how work gets done, not when they simply add automation.”Scott Bender, Head of Publisher & Platform Partnerships If advertisers fix one thing in 2026 Focus on data context. Not perfect data, but a clear semantic layer that defines what data means and how it should be interpreted and used. Watch our agentic media panel at CES 2026 Greg "Arch" Archibald's perspective on commerce media’s expansion Greg "Arch" Archibald is VP, Global Ad Sales at PayPal. A sales leader for nearly 25 years, Arch has worked at some of the largest AdTech companies in the world. Now with PayPal Ads, he is helping build the foundation upon which advertisers can use true intent-based signals to inform advertising campaigns. How is commerce media expanding beyond retail? Commerce media is extending into more ecosystems and more purchase moments. Commerce media is defined through transactions that show what people buy, not intent signals that imply what people might buy. Commerce media is defined by transactions, not intent Commerce media is fundamentally powered by transactional data. Unlike retail media, which is often intent-led and vertically confined, commerce media spans horizontally across merchants, payment platforms, and ecosystems, providing a clearer view of the full consumer purchase journey. Transactional data is the true differentiator As basic targeting and inventory become commoditized, the ability to activate transactional signals at scale is what separates effective commerce media strategies. These signals help brands connect upper-funnel investment to conversion and prove measurable outcomes. On-site validates performance, off-site drives reach Effective commerce strategies balance both on-site and off-site, focusing less on where ads run and more on who is being reached based on real purchase behavior. “Transactional data is a powerful signal that helps brands reach consumers more effectively and connect upper-funnel investment to measurable outcomes.”Greg "Arch" Archibald, VP, Global Ad Sales If advertisers fix one thing in 2026 Prioritize transactional signals over intent proxies to connect spend to outcomes. Cristin Liberatore's perspective on healthcare marketing Cristin Liberatore, Sr. Director, Commercial Strategy for Pharma, IQVIA Digital, has over a decade of experience leading commercial and product strategy for data‑driven healthcare solutions, developing frameworks at IQVIA Digital that connect data, analytics, and omnichannel execution to drive meaningful business results. How do identity and privacy work together in regulated markets like healthcare? Healthcare marketing uses a dual approach that reflects distinct audiences and data environments. Teams succeed when they connect identity and privacy through governance that supports personalization and outcome measurement. Healthcare requires two playbooks: HCP and consumer On the healthcare professional (HCP) side, personalization benefits from deterministic identity and high-fidelity signals that enable “read, respond, act” marketing. On the consumer side, data is more disparate, making identity resolution and privacy-safe connection across data sets essential for relevant personalization. Timeliness is the difference between insight and impact Healthcare data varies widely in latency. The most effective marketing is powered by timely signals. Fresh signals influence whether brands respond in meaningful moments along diagnostic and treatment pathways. Sustainable identity depends on governance An identity spine paired with de-identification methodology and strong compliance frameworks allows exposure to connect to outcomes such as script lift, without compromising privacy. “Across data, activation, and measurement, healthcare marketing works best when privacy and personalization are balanced, as that push pull is ubiquitous with consumer marketing in healthcare.”Cristin Liberatore, Sr. Director, Commercial Strategy for Pharma If advertisers fix one thing in 2026 Invest in a connected identity spine that balances timeliness, personalization, and privacy across the full care journey. Watch our healthcare marketing panel at CES 2026 What do 2026 advertising trends mean for advertisers? In 2026, success will be shaped by how well advertisers connect data, decisioning, and outcomes across an increasingly complex ecosystem. The leaders featured in this report consistently point to connection as the defining factor for progress. The shifts advertisers must act on  Audiences, not channels, define strategy. Planning anchored in identity and behavior scales more effectively across screens, platforms, and formats. Measurement moves upstream. Outcomes now inform optimization in real time, rather than serving a post-campaign validation. First-party data becomes infrastructure. Activation, data governance, and interoperability matter more than ownership alone. AI accelerates decisions, not accountability. Automation works best when paired with clear rules, transparency, and human oversight. Privacy is a growth lever. Consent-driven, privacy-first design enables durable performance at scale. Advertisers that lead in 2026 will: Connect planning, activation, and measurement into a single operating framework Invest in data and identity foundations before expanding into new channels Work with partners that reduce fragmentation, not add to it  To see how these signals play out across AI, commerce media, healthcare, and more, download our 2026 State of advertising report and watch the Q&A videos with our partners. Download the report Watch the Q&A videos FAQs How should a CMO think about advertising trends in 2026? A CMO should treat advertising trends in 2026 as a shift in how teams plan, activate, and measure, not a channel shift. Teams get stronger performance when they connect data, identity, and measurement into one decision loop that guides planning, activation, and optimization. What changes when measurement guides planning, not reporting? Measurement moves closer to the moment of decision when teams use outcomes to steer optimization in real time. That approach turns measurement into a planning input that shapes budget allocation, audience strategy, and creative decisions across the lifecycle of a campaign. What role does Experian play in making these advertising trends actionable? Experian helps marketers connect identity, data, and measurement so teams plan and activate with consistency across platforms. Experian’s data and identity foundation supports audience connection and privacy-forward activation, and Experian’s measurement approach links media exposure to outcomes for clearer decisioning. Latest posts

In our Ask the Expert Series, we interview leaders from our partner organizations who are helping lead their brands to new heights in AdTech. Today’s interview is with Jessica Rocco, a Business Development Senior Director at Yahoo DSP (demand-side platform), about the shift toward agentic workflows and identity-led performance. How is Yahoo DSP shifting from a platform to infrastructure? Yahoo DSP has been positioning itself as more of a data backbone than a destination UI. What are the most important integrations you’re building for, and what does ‘plug-in ready’ look like in practice for an advertiser? We’re moving from DSPs as destinations to DSPs as infrastructure, as the industry shifts toward agentic workflows. This transformation is driven by data-led decisioning, greater standardization, with the ecosystem ready for it. The last decade DSP competition has been primarily about UI features. That era is behind us. Today, differentiation comes from exclusivity, integrations, and interoperability. This means at Yahoo DSP we are thinking about where our partners and advertisers are and where they want to be. In practice, that may mean they never log into our UI at all. Instead, Yahoo DSP becomes a flexible, plug-in-ready infrastructure that integrates directly into their workflows, tools, and agents. That’s why we’re building around two themes: Data: Yahoo DSP’s data can be made accessible through performance tools, transforming it into actionable insights that drive better outcomes for advertisers. Agentic AI: We see the opportunity to make a range of human and non-human activities more efficient, and we offer different paths based on the advertisers’ needs: Use our native agents in Yahoo DSP for better performance and faster execution. Combine our tools with external agents to unlock better decisioning and increased automation. Fully decouple the concept of UI and enable end-to-end workflows powered by your or your partners' agents. In summary, we’re building a flexible and interoperable environment where advertisers can bring their planning, buying, and measurement technologies and leverage the Yahoo data and tools to enable more efficient and higher-performing media buying. Why does identity sit below the interface at Yahoo DSP? When you say the advantage sits below the interface, what are the core identity building blocks today, and how are you measuring progress, authenticated reach, match rates, deduplication, or something else? Yahoo DSP treats identity as the performance layer that runs through the full campaign lifecycle. At Yahoo DSP, the core building block of that advantage is Yahoo ConnectID. It’s always activated in Yahoo DSP and powers every step of the campaign lifecycle. Built on top of our Identity Graph and today reaches 213 million logged-in users in the U.S. and 345 million globally (Yahoo data Q1 2026). The building blocks of our Identity Graph include: Deterministic and consented data:  The power of Yahoo ConnectID lies in deterministic data from consented consumer relationships across Yahoo properties and trusted partners. Privacy-centric approach: Yahoo ConnectID respects consumer privacy and choice. Consumers can opt out through Yahoo DSP’s global privacy opt-out portal. Scale and accuracy across households and users: By resolving identity at user and household levels, Yahoo ConnectID ensures greater accuracy in targeting, measurement, and frequency management. Interoperability: Yahoo ConnectID works with 40+ leading Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) and Data Management Platforms (DMPs), enabling seamless first-party data onboarding for targeting and measurement with strong match rates. The proof is in the numbers: 90% of Yahoo DSP spend runs on Yahoo ConnectID-enabled supply, reflecting the scale, trust, and performance that identity-driven activation delivers. Why do CTV and live sports validate Yahoo DSP’s approach to identity? Live sports are one of the toughest environments to get right on connected TV (CTV). Why is it a strong showcase for the Yahoo DSP identity approach, and can you share an example of impact you’ve seen on deduplicated reach or cost per unique household? When it comes to live sports, the challenge is the scale of concurrent viewers. When an ad break occurs during a live sports event, our platform receives a spike of bid requests, which can cause buyers to exhaust their budgets too quickly, leaving valuable inventory unfilled later in the event. We address this challenge with Yahoo Blueprint Performance, our enhanced AI-driven algorithm, which bids and paces more effectively, with 10x faster response times that consider the size of the spike and the advertiser’s remaining budget and flight (Internal Yahoo DSP data, Q4 2025). The result is not only more of the advertiser’s budget being spent during the event, but also a smoother distribution of impressions throughout the entire event. Yahoo ConnectID is a key input into Yahoo Blueprint Performance. It enhances effectiveness by enforcing reliable frequency capping at the Household and/or user level, eliminating wasted impressions, improving media budget allocation, and ultimately driving better, more cohesive consumer experiences. How should marketers activate commerce signals for intent with Yahoo DSP? As shopper intent and transaction signals come in from commerce partners, what’s the recommended activation workflow, and where do those signals deliver the biggest lift alongside CTV and the open web? Commerce signals have indeed brought new opportunities for advertisers. Commerce media networks are goldmines of deep audience insights such as consumer behavior, purchasing patterns, product preferences, and more. These addressable audiences offer a perfect opportunity for advertisers to activate effective campaigns. At Yahoo DSP we enable advertisers to activate data from all leading commerce data companies, from retail media networks to travel media networks and a wide range of complementary data partners. The recommended activation for advertisers is to maximize the effect of these data signals by tying them to a strong identity. This ensures that they maximize their scale and reach consumers across devices and channels. That’s why in Yahoo DSP, Yahoo ConnectID is always on to ensure precision and scale. Additionally, it’s important that data is being activated across channels, especially CTV. Combining commerce data with CTV enables advertisers to reach engaged audiences while delivering premium, relevant ad experiences. Today, CTV is increasingly influencing mid- and lower-funnel performance. At Yahoo DSP, we provide access to 100% non-walled garden CTV inventory, giving advertisers scaled reach beyond closed ecosystems and enabling consistent identity-based activation across the open web. Finally, commerce media networks can maximize impact by leveraging solutions that enable them to use their data for measurement and optimization. For example, Yahoo In-Flight Outcomes (IFO) allows advertisers to tie programmatic media investments to sales - even on a SKU level - and in-store visits in near real time. Yahoo Blueprint Performance, our advanced AI model, uses this data for in-flight optimizations that drive results. For example, a leading retail network saw a 22% lift in ROAS when activating Yahoo IFO (Yahoo DSP Q1-Q2 2025). What drives DSP selection/decision in buyer evaluations in 2026? In competitive bake-offs, what’s pushing brands and agencies towards their choice of DSP right now: Identity, supply quality, measurement, service model, or economics? And what objections are you hearing most that you’ve had to address head-on? Identity remains top of mind, as advertisers seek scaled, deterministic reach in a privacy-centric manner. Yahoo ConnectID provides that through the scale and quality of Yahoo data, built on hundreds of millions of authenticated users, enriched by interoperability with all leading data companies, such as Experian. Our foundation enables accurate targeting, holistic frequency management, and true omnichannel measurement, while delivering more cohesive ad experiences for consumers. Second, supply quality and transparency are common concerns. Advertisers want assurance that they are accessing premium, brand-safe inventory and that their investments are working as intended. We address this through direct publisher relationships, curated supply paths, and transparent buying models that allow advertisers to make efficient, informed decisions. Measurement is another challenge. Brands increasingly expect programmatic investments to prove impact against real business outcomes, not just media metrics. We meet this head-on with proprietary measurement solutions powered by Yahoo data, such as proprietary studies and Yahoo In-Flight Outcomes, complemented by partnerships with leading third-party vendors. Our teams act as an extension of internal marketing teams, helping unlock smarter budget allocation and performance optimization. Ultimately, the connective tissue across identity, supply, measurement, and optimization is data. That’s why we continue to see programmatic investment consolidate around platforms that have scaled, high-quality first-party data. Strong 1P data is the backbone of effective programmatic, and we continue to see investment shift toward platforms that can offer it at scale and with quality, and Yahoo DSP remains top of mind for advertisers. Finally, through our Agentic AI solutions, we increase team efficiency and minimize time spent on manual tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value strategic decisions. What are practical use cases for Experian Audiences in Yahoo DSP? With Experian audiences available in Yahoo DSP, what are 2–3 ‘go-to’ plays advertisers should run (e.g., prospecting, mid-funnel qualification, suppression, measurement improvement), and what success metrics should they watch to prove incrementality? I’ll start with a prospecting use case. Yahoo DSP advertisers can activate Experian’s demographic, lifestyle, household and credit propensity segments to identify high-value prospects, while suppressing their own first-party audiences such as CRM lists, site visitors or recent purchasers to ensure that they are truly reaching net new customers.  Advertisers can easily leverage the Yahoo Conversion API (CAPI) to send conversion data back to Yahoo DSP and be able to track incremental conversions from these new audiences. Another example is reaching audiences that are in the market for a purchase. In this case, advertisers can combine Experian’s category-specific audiences, such as auto intenders, with Yahoo search signals to intersect household qualification with real-time intent. For example, an automotive brand can reach consumers who not only fall within priority income bands but are also actively searching for vehicle models or categories. Contact us About our experts Jessica Rocco, Senior Director, Business Development at Yahoo DSP Jessica Rocco is a Senior Director of Business Development for Yahoo Demand-Side Platform (DSP), with over 15 years of experience driving strategic data initiatives and partnerships across the programmatic advertising ecosystem, with a focus on identity, targeting, and measurement. Latest posts

Why does retail marketing need more than broad targeting? Retail marketing needs more than broad targeting because consumers no longer discover products in one place. Consumers move between social platforms, streaming TV, search engines, online marketplaces, and physical stores, often within the same purchase cycle. Online marketplaces like Amazon have become the primary research channel for 51% of consumers across the US, UK, and Canada, while social media now leads product discovery for 73% of Gen Z and 67% of millennials. Discovery is distributed, and it varies by generation. Channel presence alone doesn’t solve this complexity. Retailers need to understand: How consumers engage across channels Where they shop What categories they prioritize How much they are likely to spend To help retailers align strategy with how consumers discover and spend, we outline three core retail audience signals to consider and show how economic and seasonal signals shape activation decisions. Three retail audience signals marketers should use Retail performance is shaped by how consumers engage, where they shop, and what they buy. Experian Audiences help retailers consider all three signals together; channel engagement, retail channel loyalty, and purchase behavior, to build more informed activation strategies. You can find the full taxonomy paths in the appendix. What this signal represents Channel-defined retail engagers reflect consumers whose media habits shape how they discover products. In a fragmented environment, engagement behavior often determines where attention, and response, is most likely to occur. Social platforms in particular play an outsized role in discovery for younger consumers. More than two-thirds (67%) of U.S. consumers aged 16–24 say they have learned about a product through social media videos in their feeds. Younger cohorts, including Gen Z and Millennials, rely more heavily on digital platforms, both social and streaming, as part of their discovery and engagement behavior compared with older generations. Different consumers respond to different channels. Engagement signals help retailers prioritize the channels where attention is already established. Experian Audiences you can activate to reach channel-defined retail engagers: Baby Boomers Broadcast Cable TV Generation Z Streaming First Cord Cutter Households TikTok Users TV Ad Acceptor Households  What this signal represents Purchase environment loyalists reflect consumers who are defined by where they shop; whether online-only, in-store, or somewhere in between. A majority share of consumers (45%) still shop primarily in stores, while online sales still represent a growing share of overall retail activity, reflecting the ongoing importance of both physical and digital channels.  Many shoppers follow a hybrid path to purchase, with 55% visiting a retailer’s website before going to a physical store and 25% accessing it while shopping in-store, reinforcing the importance of omnichannel understanding. Mobile location and retail visitation signals help identify these purchase environment loyalists by connecting digital engagement to real-world shopping activity. By observing where consumers physically shop, in addition to how they browse online, retailers can segment audiences based on demonstrated channel loyalty. Experian Audiences you can activate to reach purchase environment loyalists: Big Box Shoppers Department Store Luxury High Spend Spenders Discount / Dollar Stores: Frequent Spenders Frequent In Store Buyer Households In-Store vs. Online: eCommerce Diehards Big Box and Club Stores: Amazon Frequent Spenders What this signal represents Purchase-driven retail planners reflect what consumers buy, and what they are likely to buy next. Past purchase behavior remains one of the strongest predictors of future spending. Research shows that repeat customers account for roughly 40% of a retailer’s revenue on average, despite representing a smaller share of total customers. These signals allow retailers to prioritize consumers based on demonstrated category demand and discretionary spend.  Experian Audiences you can activate to reach purchase-driven retail planners: Frequent Children's Product Buyers Health and Nutrition Buyer Households High Spending Beauty Buyers High Spending Electronics and Appliance Households Housewares and Home Decor Buyer Households Sporting Goods Frequent Spenders How to layer retail audiences for stronger performance Retail marketers can layer retail audiences for stronger performance by bringing together engagement, shopping behaviors and purchase patterns, these signals are most effective when layered. A household might discover products through social or streaming, prefer to purchase primarily in-store, and over-index on specific categories like beauty, apparel, or electronics. Considering these dimensions together allows retailers to align creative, channel mix, and timing with both shopping mindset and spending capacity. For example: Combine Streaming First Cord Cutter Households with eCommerce Diehards to prioritize digital-first campaigns. Layer Social Media Heavy Users with High Spending Beauty Buyers to align discovery environments with demonstrated category demand. Pair Department Store Luxury High Spend Spenders with discretionary category buyers for premium launches. Activate Discount / Dollar Stores: Frequent Spenders alongside Frequent Children's Product Buyers during key seasonal moments. By combining channel-defined retail engagers, purchase environment loyalists, and purchase-driven retail planners, retailers can move beyond single-variable targeting and build campaigns grounded in how consumers engage, shop, and spend. Prioritizing growth in a polarized spending environment Prioritizing growth in a polarized spending environment starts with recognizing how concentrated retail spend has become, with roughly 20% of consumers accounting for nearly 60% of total spending. At the same time, more shoppers are trading down to discount formats and private labels, including households earning over $100,000 annually. Retailers must defend premium margin while competing for value-driven share, often within the same campaign window. Defending and growing high-value consumers Higher-spending consumers can be identified through income tiers, investable asset indicators, premium credit card usage, and elevated category-level spend. These signals support premium product launches, loyalty reinforcement, and cross-category expansion. Prioritizing these audiences helps retailers protect margin and focus investment on consumers driving disproportionate revenue. Competing in a value-driven environment Deal seekers, coupon users, discount frequenters, and predictive bargain shoppers represent meaningful share opportunities. Targeted promotional strategies allow retailers to compete on value without eroding premium positioning among higher discretionary tiers. When are retail audiences most receptive to outreach? Retail audiences are most receptive to outreach with seasonal retail moments that influence urgency and purchase intent, making timing as important as targeting. Back-to-school and family-driven spend Back-to-school season concentrates on spending among consumers with children. Frequent children’s product buyers and mall visitors often show increased activity during this period. Retailers can align apparel, electronics, and supply campaigns with these signals to capture concentrated demand. Explore our back-to-school retail audiences Prime Day, promotional peaks, and deal behavior Major promotional events such as Prime Day and Black Friday drive heightened engagement among deal seekers, coupon users, and discount frequenters. Layering purchase predictors with value-oriented audiences helps retailers focus promotions on consumers most likely to respond. See the digital behaviors shaping 2026 See Black Friday retail audience insights  Holiday promotions Holiday periods often combine premium gifting with value-driven deal activity. Luxury department store shoppers and high discretionary category buyers may respond to premium creative, while discount shoppers prioritize event-driven promotions. Seasonal signals help retailers time outreach around predictable shifts in shopping behavior. Discover our recent 2025 Holiday shopping spending trends and insights Explore our holiday audiences What sets Experian Audiences apart? Our syndicated audiences give you an advantage across channels, offering both scale and accuracy: Experian’s 3,500+ syndicated audiences are available at over 200 leading activation platforms, including programmatic, social, TV destinations, and can be curated alongside premium inventory through Curated Deals. Reach consumers based on who they are, where they live, and their household makeup. Experian ranked #1 in accuracy by Truthset for key demographic attributes. Explore some of our Partner Audiences that complement Experian Audiences across key retail use cases, with flexible activation through Experian’s data marketplace or leading activation platforms. Alliant Brand Propensities > Kids Products > Happiest Baby Buyer Propensity Social Propensities > DIY and Crafts > TikTok - DIY Influencers Attain Transaction Data > Past Purchases > Retail > Online Marketplaces Retail > Home Improvement > The Home Depot Kontext In-Market > Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Cosmetics > Makeup > Lip Makeup Shoppers > Home & Garden > Kitchen & Dining > Kitchen Tools & Utensils Need a custom audience? Reach out to our audience team and we can help you build and activate an Experian audience on the platform of your choice. Want to activate an Experian Audience on Meta, Pinterest, Snap, TikTok, or on a platform not listed above? Contact us today. For a full list, download our syndicated audiences guide. Activate in commerce-driven environments Retail audience strategies are most effective when deployed in environments where discovery and purchase converge. Experian’s retail transaction and predictive audiences are available through our data marketplace and can be combined with partner data to build tailored segments aligned to category spend, shopping mindset, and channel receptivity. These audiences can be activated across commerce-driven and social environments, including Amazon, TikTok, and Curated Deals, allowing brands to align precision targeting with high-intent retail environments. By connecting audience intelligence to where consumers are actively browsing and buying, retailers can move from a segmentation strategy to measurable performance. Reach consumers based on real-world retail behavior with Experian Audiences From social-driven discovery to in-store visitation and category-level spend, retail growth is shaped by behavior. Experian Audiences help retailers reach consumers using signals tied to how they actually engage, shop, and spend, supporting programs aligned with real-world retail patterns. Connect with our audience experts FAQs What are Experian Audiences? Experian Audiences are pre-built, privacy-compliant consumer segments that help marketers target based on verified demographic, financial, and behavioral data. They’re designed for flexibility across channels and can be activated on 200+ platforms, including major social, CTV, and programmatic partners. Experian ranks #1 in demographic accuracy according to Truthset, and marketers can choose from 3,500+ syndicated audiences that capture signals such as income, spending behavior, household structure, financial attitudes, and ability to pay. These same audiences are also available through partnerships on platforms like DirecTV, Dish, Magnite, OpenAP, and The Trade Desk. For a deeper look at our audience catalog, explore our syndicated audience guide. Where can Experian Audiences be activated? You can activate Experian Audiences across 200+ digital and connected TV (CTV) platforms, including Meta, Pinterest, The Trade Desk, and Audigent PMPs. Can I combine Experian data with my own first-party data? Yes, you can combine your own first-party data with Experian's 3,500+ syndicated audiences and additional segments from multiple partner data providers, as a custom audience within a Curated Deal, or self-service via Audience Engine. Appendix Channel-Defined Retail Engagers Consumer Behaviors > Generational Segments > Baby Boomers TrueTouch: Communication Preferences > Engagement Channel Preference > Broadcast Cable TV Consumer Behaviors > Generational Segments > Generation Z Television (TV) > Household/Family Viewing > Streaming First Cord Cutter Households Lifestyle and Interests (Affinity) > Personas (US) Social Media > TikTok Users Television (TV) > Ad Avoiders/Ad Acceptors > TV Ad Acceptor Households Purchase Environment Loyalists Mobile Location Models > Visits > Big Box Shoppers Retail Shoppers: Purchase Based > Shopping Behavior > Department Store Luxury High Spend Spenders Retail Shoppers: Purchase Based > Shopping Behavior > Discount / Dollar Stores: Frequent Spenders Purchase Transactions > Shopping > Frequent In Store Buyer Households Retail Shoppers: Purchase Based > Shopping Behavior > In-Store vs. Online: eCommerce Diehards TrueTouch: Communication Preferences > Purchase Behavior > Wholesale and Big Box Store Shoppers Purchase-Driven Retail Planners Purchase Transactions > Childrens Purchases > Frequent Children's Product Buyers Purchase Transactions > Health and Fitness > Health and Nutrition Buyer Households Purchase Transactions > Cosmetics and Beauty Products > High Spending Beauty and Personal Care Buyers Purchase Predictors > Shoppers All Channels > High Spending Electronics and Appliance Households Purchase Transactions > Household Goods > Housewares and Home Decor Buyer Households Retail Shoppers: Purchase Based > Sporting Goods, Apparel > Sporting Goods Frequent Spenders Alliant Brand Propensities > Kids Products > Happiest Baby Buyer Propensity Social Propensities > DIY and Crafts > TikTok - DIY Influencers Attain Transaction Data > Past Purchases > Retail > Online Marketplaces Retail > Home Improvement > The Home Depot Kontext In-Market > Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Cosmetics > Makeup > Lip Makeup Shoppers > Home & Garden > Kitchen & Dining > Kitchen Tools & Utensils Latest posts

Why does energy marketing need more than geography targeting? Energy usage doesn’t rise and fall evenly across a service area. Even within the same ZIP code, household electricity consumption can vary, driven by differences in household size, time spent at home, technology adoption, and lifestyle choices. While location influences climate exposure, behavior shapes how energy is ultimately consumed. Seasonal moments like peak summer usage and auto sales cycles create predictable shifts in household energy needs, while moments like Earth Day influence awareness and motivation. Experian Audiences help energy and utility marketers align outreach to these moments using observable, privacy-safe signals tied to how households live, without relying on meter data. To help energy marketers plan more effective, adaptable programs, we outline household energy behaviors then show a seasonal approach that turns those behaviors into timely opportunities for activation. You can find the full taxonomy paths in the appendix. Three core energy audience categories Who they are Smart energy optimizers are households aligned with cleaner and more efficient energy choices, supported by action-based signals tied to renewable interest and smart home adoption. Smart energy optimizers are more likely to invest in connected home technology and actively manage energy use. Approximately 14% of U.S. households now use a smart thermostat, while interest in renewable energy is also growing, with about one in five U.S. homeowners considering solar. Experian Audiences you can activate to reach smart energy optimizers Eco-sustainable Travel Environmentally Green Consumers Online Solar Energy System Intenders Original Traditionalists Shopping Behavior > Smart Greens Smart Home Security System Buyers How to use these audiences Activate Smart Greens and Environmentally Green Consumers for clean energy and renewable sourcing outreach. Activate Online Solar Energy System Intenders to reach households actively researching solar or adjacent solutions, and Smart Home Security System Buyers to align your messaging around connected home energy management and conservation. Who they are Alternative energy drivers are consumers whose transportation behavior reflects fuel efficiency and alternative energy awareness. Vehicle ownership and switching signals often reflect a broader household energy mindset. EV owners and alternative fuel drivers often charge at home, with ~80% of EV charging happens at home, linking transportation decisions directly to household energy use. This serves as useful signals for messaging around charging optimization, time-of-use rates, and home energy upgrades. Experian Audiences you can activate to reach alternative energy drivers In Market-Fuel Type > Electric CUV SUV In Market-Fuel Type > Electric Luxury In Market-Fuel Type > Electric Non-Luxury In Market-Fuel Type > MPG Conscious Ownership Switchers > Alternative Fuel Ownership Switchers > Electric Ownership Switchers > PHEV Ownership-Make and Models > Tesla Model S Ownership-Make and Models > Tesla Model X Ownership-Make and Models > Toyota Prius Prime How to use these audiences Activate Electric, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), and Alternative Fuel Ownership Switchers to align your outreach with households actively shifting vehicle types, a shift that often increases home electricity usage and introduces charging considerations. Layer Electric CUV SUV and Electric Non-Luxury audiences for broader EV adoption messaging and use Tesla and Prius Prime owners as indicators of energy-conscious household behavior. Who they are Persuadable energy planners are households open to energy messaging tied to usage, cost, or timing rather than sustainability alone. Persuadable energy planners often have higher in-home energy use driven by larger household size and more time spent at home. More than over 70% of U.S. households cite energy costs as a major concern, making them strong candidates for usage monitoring, rate plan education, and efficiency programs framed around savings and control. Beyond usage and rate education, persuadable energy planners may also be receptive to awareness-based outreach around assistance programs, budget management tools, or flexible payment options. Using privacy-safe household context, demographics, and geo-indexed indicators, energy providers can responsibly inform communities during periods of higher demand. Experian Audiences you can activate to reach persuadable energy planners At Home Retired and Empty Nester Households At-Home: Families at Home (kids under 13) At-Home: Families at Home (kids 13+) High Spending Business and Home Office Buyers Home Office Likely Home Based Businesses Non-Committal Environmentalists Undecided Environmentalists How to use these audiences Activate Undecided Environmentalists for usage-focused and rate plan messaging. Activate Non-Committal Environmentalists for education tied to household energy impact, monitoring tools, and cost transparency rather than sustainability-led framing. Layer the Home Office and At Home Retired and Empty Nester Households to reach households with sustained, always-on energy usage driven by daytime occupancy, work equipment, and connected devices, making them strong candidates for usage monitoring, time-based rates, and efficiency programs focused on cost control. When are energy audiences most receptive to outreach? Seasonal and cultural moments influence household attention, urgency, and motivation, making timing just as important as targeting. Peak summer usage: Cooling, occupancy, and smart energy During peak summer months, residential electricity demand rises sharply as cooling becomes the largest driver of household energy use. Air conditioning alone accounts for nearly one-fifth of total residential electricity consumption in the U.S., and roughly 87% of U.S. homes use air conditioning. But not all households contribute equally to peak demand. Household behavior plays a major role. Time spent at home, driven by remote or hybrid work and daily routines, along with household size, can increase cooling needs and baseline electricity demands. These dynamics make summer an ideal moment to engage households around efficiency programs, demand-response initiatives, and connected home solutions. EV adoption and auto sales cycles shape home energy use Recent adoption and usage patterns show how electric vehicle (EV) ownership is reshaping residential energy demand. MetricData pointShare of U.S. new vehicle salesEVs account for ~9–10% of all new vehicle salesImpact on household electricity usageEV-owning households use ~20–30% more residential electricity Auto sales cycles, such as year-end promotions, model-year transitions, and incentive-driven holiday periods, often coincide with spikes in EV purchases. For utilities, these moments create opportunities to anticipate new charging demand and introduce rate plans, managed charging, and home energy programs as EVs enter the household. Earth Day and sustainability moments: Attitudes vs. action Seasonal moments like Earth Day, climate awareness campaigns, and sustainability-focused promotions draw attention to energy themes, creating a natural window for energy brands to engage, but the message matters.  While roughly 70% of Americans support clean energy, only about 30% say they’re willing to pay more for it. That gap reflects differences in how people prioritize values, cost, and day-to-day practicality. For households with strong sustainability values, these moments can be used to reinforce interest in renewable sourcing, emissions reduction, and long-term environmental impact. For others, the same moments can open the door to conversations focused on usage, affordability, and control, where energy benefits are framed through savings, efficiency, and timing. Together, these groups represent a broader opportunity for utilities to expand engagement by meeting customers where they are. Sustainability-first messaging resonates with value-driven households, while cost- and usage-led framing helps translate awareness into action for those motivated by practicality. This dual approach allows Earth Day and similar moments to support both values-led engagement and participation at scale. What sets Experian Audiences apart? Our syndicated audiences give you an advantage across channels, offering both scale and accuracy: Experian’s 3,500+ syndicated audiences are available at over 200 leading activation platforms, including programmatic, social, TV destinations, and can be curated alongside premium inventory through Curated Deals. Reach consumers based on who they are, where they live, and their household makeup. Experian ranked #1 in accuracy by Truthset for key demographic attributes. Explore some of our Partner Audiences that complement Experian Audiences across key energy and utility use cases, with flexible activation through Experian's data marketplace or leading activation platforms. Alliant In-Market for New Green Car Moms Who Buy Green TruGreen Buyer Propensity Attain Direct Energy Rent & Utilities > Gas & Electricity Green Mountain Energy Need a custom audience? Reach out to our audience team and we can help you build and activate an Experian audience on the platform of your choice. Want to activate an Experian Audience on Meta, Pinterest, Snap, TikTok or on a platform not listed above? Contact us today. For a full list, download our syndicated audiences guide. Reach households based on real-world energy behavior with Experian Audiences From peak summer cooling to EV charging and cost-driven planning, seasonal energy demand is shaped by behavior. Experian Audiences help energy and utility marketers reach households using signals tied to those real-world patterns, supporting programs aligned with how energy is actually used. Connect with our audience experts FAQs What are Experian Audiences? Experian Audiences are pre-built, privacy-compliant consumer segments that help marketers target based on verified demographic, financial, and behavioral data.They’re designed for flexibility across channels and can be activated on 200+ platforms, including major social, CTV, and programmatic partners.Experian ranks #1 in demographic accuracy according to Truthset, and marketers can choose from 3,500+ syndicated audiences that capture signals such as income, spending behavior, household structure, financial attitudes, and ability to pay. These same audiences are also available through partnerships on platforms like DirecTV, Dish, Magnite, OpenAP, and The Trade Desk.For a deeper look at our audience catalog, explore our syndicated audience guide. Where can Experian Audiences be activated? You can activate Experian Audiences across 200+ digital and connected TV (CTV) platforms, including Meta, Pinterest, The Trade Desk, and Audigent PMPs. Can I combine Experian data with my own first-party data? Yes, you can combine your own first-party data with Experian’s 3,500+ syndicated audiences and additional segments from multiple partner data providers, as a custom audience within a Curated Deal or self-service via Audience Engine. Appendix Smart energy optimizers Travel Intent > Travel Preference > Eco-sustainable Travel GreenAware > Behavioral Greens > Environmentally Green Consumers Lifestyle and Interests (Affinity) > In-Market > Online Solar Energy System Intenders Psychographic/Attitudes > Retail Shoppers > Original Traditionalists Psychographic/Attitudes > Shopping Behavior > Smart Greens Retail Shoppers: Purchase Based > Lifestyle and Interests > Smart Home Security System Buyers Alternate energy drivers Autos, Cars and Trucks > Ownership Switchers > Alternative Fuel Autos, Cars and Trucks > Ownership Switchers > Electric Autos, Cars and Trucks > In Market-Fuel Type > Electric CUV SUV Autos, Cars and Trucks > In Market-Fuel Type > Electric Luxury Autos, Cars and Trucks > In Market-Fuel Type > Electric Non-Luxury Autos, Cars and Trucks > In Market-Fuel Type > MPG Conscious Autos, Cars and Trucks > Ownership Switchers > PHEV Autos, Cars and Trucks > Ownership-Make and Models > Tesla Model S Autos, Cars and Trucks > Ownership-Make and Models > Tesla Model X Autos, Cars and Trucks > Ownership-Make and Models > Toyota Prius Prime Persuadable energy planners Consumer Behaviors > At-Home: Retired/Empty Nesters > At Home Retired and Empty Nester Households  Consumer Behaviors > At-Home: Families at Home (kids under 13) Consumer Behaviors > At-Home: Families at Home (kids 13+) Purchase Transactions > Home Office/Business > High Spending Business and Home Office Buyers   Consumer Behaviors > Occupation: Work from Home > Home Office  Business Executives (B2B) > Work From Home (WFH) > Likely Home Based Businesses  GreenAware > Think Greens > Non-Committal Environmentalists  GreenAware > Potential Greens > Undecided Environmentalists  Alliant Automotive > In-Market > In-Market for New Green Car Purchase Behaviors > Composites > Moms Who Buy Green Brand Propensities > Home & Household Goods > TruGreen Buyer Propensity Attain Rent & Utilities > Gas & Electricity > Direct Energy Transaction Data > Past Payments > Rent & Utilities > Gas & Electricity Rent & Utilities > Gas & Electricity > Green Mountain Energy Latest posts

Claritas, known for advanced consumer segmentation, is bringing its premium audiences into Experian Data Marketplace. PRIZM® Premier, P$YCLE® Premier, ConneXions® Premier and CultureCode® audiences are now available, giving marketers access to more than 1,700 syndicated segments in a frictionless, privacy-compliant way. Marketers can move from planning to activation faster, with lifestyle, and financial audiences built for modern media. The value of these insights is clear: richer, behavior-driven audience intelligence that supports more relevant targeting across connected TV (CTV), digital, and linear. How Claritas audiences are built Claritas audiences are built from more than 10,000 predictive behavioral indicators, robust survey linkages, and household-level demographic data. These inputs create deterministic, privacy-safe signals that go beyond broad demographic proxies and help reveal consumer intent. That detail matters in CTV and programmatic environments. Marketers can activate pre-modeled segments tied to automotive ownership, financial behaviors, telecom preferences, and brand affinities. Three ways Claritas audience support omnichannel activation High-fidelity signals for more effective targeting Claritas uses deterministic, behavior-based indicators to add context around lifestyle, purchase patterns, financial posture and technology behaviors. Each segment includes Living Unit ID (LUID) counts, CPM transparency, and match-rate details. Broad reach across channels Many segments include 30M–50M+ active LUIDs, supporting broad reach without sacrificing audience clarity. Activate these audiences in omnichannel campaigns across the destinations that matter most, including CTV, programmatic display/video, paid social, and email, enabled through integrations with major demand side platforms (DSPs) and activation platforms. Privacy-first design Claritas data is built from consented, privacy-safe inputs and does not rely on cookies or exposed personally identifiable information (PII). This approach supports cookieless media, including CTV. Where Experian adds lift to audience activation Experian's data marketplace and our identity and governance tools help operationalize Claritas segments for activation:  Enhanced addressability: Deterministic identity resolution maps Claritas signals to reachable, active audiences. It utilizes Experian identity graphs, which are rooted in verified data, spanning 126 million U.S. households, 250 million individuals, and over four billion active digital identifiers. Activation: Integrations with major DSPs and media platforms support fast deployment. Governance: Our controls support responsible data handling through the activation workflow, and ensure available audiences comply to all federal, state, and local consumer privacy regulations. Together, Claritas segmentation depth and our identity resolution support audience planning, activation, and measurement at scale. How marketers use Claritas audiences Automotive: Connect with owners and intentenders A luxury automotive brand can target “Cadillac owners” or “Likely Luxury Intenders” using Claritas behavioral automotive indicators. With more than 42 million available LUIDs for Cadillac owners, original equipment manufacturers (OEM) can support CTV campaigns, conquest strategies, and multicultural initiatives with more confidence. Financial services: Reach high-value households Using P$YCLE® Premier, a card issuer can target consumers who actively use travel reward cards or who fall into specific wealth tiers. These insights help tailor offers, personalize messaging, and reach consumers more likely to convert, supported by Claritas’ AI-driven optimization that can increase conversions by up to 30%. The advantage: Claritas depth plus Experian scale Claritas audiences in Experian’s data marketplace give marketers a direct path from insight to activation. Claritas brings behavioral intelligence and segmentation depth and we bring identity, scale, and governance. Together, you can plan, activate, and measure campaigns with stronger audience clarity from day one. Contact us to get started FAQs What are Claritas audiences in Experian’s data marketplace? Claritas audiences are syndicated consumer segments built from behavioral, lifestyle, financial, and demographic data. Through Experian’s data marketplace, marketers can activate more than 1,700 Claritas segments using privacy-compliant, deterministic signals. Where can marketers activate Claritas audiences? Marketers can activate Claritas audiences directly through Experian’s data marketplace across CTV, programmatic display, social, email, and linear. Integrations with major DSPs and Experian identity resolution support privacy-compliant activation at scale. How are Claritas audiences built? Claritas audiences are built from more than 10,000 predictive behavioral indicators, survey-based insights, and household-level demographics. How does Experian support Claritas audience activation? Experian supports activation through identity resolution, governance controls, and direct platform integrations. Claritas signals are mapped to reachable audiences using the Experian identity graph.  Latest posts

A decade ago, you could buy media by broad categories and call it a day. But today, your audience lives in a curated world. They watch what they want, skip what they don’t, and expect what they see to match their interests. Research shows that when ads are tailored to households, people pay more attention, stay engaged longer, and are more likely to remember your ads. That shift in expectations is why addressable advertising continues to grow. It’s a practical response to how media works today, with audiences moving fluidly across platforms, streaming spread across services, and measurement spanning screens and environments. Under these conditions, reaching the right people depends on clarity, not approximation. Artificial intelligence (AI) strengthens that clarity. When applied responsibly, AI helps connect signals, deepen audience understanding, and deliver relevant messages while protecting consumer data. The result is advertising that feels more human, not less. What is addressable advertising? Addressable advertising is the ability to deliver personalized ads to specific individuals or households and measure results using privacy-safe data and identity.  It works across digital, connected TV (CTV), linear TV, and over-the-top (OTT) streaming and relies on strong identity resolution and accurate data inputs to ensure your audience definitions remain consistent across channels and over time. Benefits of addressable advertising Addressable advertising changes how advertising performs by delivering messages to defined audiences, reducing wasted impressions, and making results simpler to measure. BenefitWhat it means for youClarityReach the right audience with the personalized messages they want, instead of hoping the right people are watchingEfficiencyAvoid wasted impressions by focusing spend where interest already existsHigher ROIImprove conversion by delivering messages that feel relevantOmnichannel consistencyCarry the same message across digital and TV without starting overMeasurable impactConnect exposure to actions so performance is clearPrivacy and complianceActivate audiences responsibly using privacy-safe data, clear governance, and compliant practices These are some of the reasons that addressable advertising has moved from a niche tactic to a core strategy. When audiences are clear, identity is connected, and measurement is built in, advertising becomes relevant, accountable, and easy to improve over time. Addressable advertising vs. traditional advertising Unlike traditional advertising, addressable advertising doesn’t depend on broad exposure or assumptions. It’s personalized by design and measurable by default, making it possible to connect ad exposure to outcomes. Another distinction is in how addressable delivers advertising to audiences and how performance is measured. Traditional media buysAddressable advertising buysYou pay for broad reachYou pay for relevant reach to defined audiencesAds run by placement or programAds are delivered to known households or individualsPersonalization is limitedPersonalization is built into deliveryMeasurement indicates trends, not who actually actedMeasurement connects exposure to actions by linking ads to defined audiences across channels But before you can activate addressable advertising, you need to understand who you’re actually trying to reach. What is an addressable audience? An addressable audience is a group of people you can identify and reach using data-based targeting. In other words, they’re not anonymous “maybe” viewers. They’re a defined audience you can activate across channels. Here’s what typically builds addressable audiences: FactorWhat it isWhy it mattersFirst-party dataData from your own relationships (site activity, app activity, CRM, emails, purchases)It’s your most direct view of existing customers and prospectsThird-party household and individual dataDemographic, behavioral, lifestyle, interest, and intent attributes from trusted providersIt fills gaps so your audience definitions don’t collapse when your own data is limitedIdentity resolutionA privacy-first way to match people across devices, households, and channelsIt improves accuracy so you don’t over-message the same people or miss them entirelyContextual signalsPage-level, content, or viewing context where ads appearIt reinforces relevance in the moment and complements addressable targeting when identity signals are limited How Experian helps with addressable audiences Experian helps you build and activate addressable audiences at scale without losing accuracy or trust. With more than 3,500 syndicated audiences available, you can activate consistently across 200+ destinations — including social platforms like Meta and Pinterest, TV and programmatic environments, and private marketplaces (PMPs) through Audigent. That means reaching people based on who they are, where they live, and their household makeup, using data governed with care. Our approach is built on accuracy first, which is why Experian data is ranked #1 in accuracy by Truthset for key demographic attributes. And when standard customer segments aren’t enough, Experian Partner Audiences expand what’s possible. These unique audiences are available through Experian’s data marketplace, within Audigent for PMP activation, and directly on platforms like DIRECTV, Dish, Magnite, OpenAP, and The Trade Desk. The evolution of addressability and why it matters more than ever As the media ecosystem shifts, reaching people across browsers, apps, CTV, and streaming platforms has become more complex. Signals are fragmenting everywhere as expectations for relevant, personalized experiences continue to rise, while reliable identifiers become increasingly challenging to access. In response, addressability is shifting from a channel-specific tactic to an identity-driven approach to reach and measure defined audiences across screens. That evolution puts new pressure on performance. Marketing budgets require accuracy and accountability, which means targeting must deliver measurable reach and outcomes you can trust. At the same time, the growth of CTV and streaming is expanding addressable TV opportunities. As CTV inventory grows, so does the need for cross-channel, identity-based activation that works consistently and supports reach, frequency, and measurement in one connected view. That’s why identity has become the foundation for making addressable advertising work today. When to apply addressable advertising You don’t need addressable for everything, but it shines when you need your spend to go farther with accurate targeting and resonant messaging. ScenarioWhy addressable helpsProduct launches and seasonal pushesReach people who are more likely to care without flooding everyone elseHigh-consideration purchases (auto, travel, financial services)Focus on likely intent and suppress audiences that don’t fitCross-channel campaigns (digital, TV, mobile)Keep messaging consistent across screensWhen using first-party data with AIUse AI customer segmentation to scale responsibly and improve performance without sacrificing accuracyRegulated categoriesRely on compliant data practices and clearer controls for regulated industries Addressable advertising is one way to put relevance and respect into practice — but it shouldn’t be the only time these principles apply. Marketers are expected to be thoughtful about who they reach, how often they show up, and how data is used across every channel. Addressable simply makes it easier to live up to that standard when accuracy, accountability, and scale matter most. Addressable advertising and third-party data There’s a common misconception that third-party data is no longer useful, but what’s really changed is the environment around it. In the early days of digital advertising, third-party data often felt like the Wild West. Today, modern third-party data is more transparent, better governed, and held to far higher standards with: Clear data sourcing Documented consent practices Regular quality audits Strict limits on how data can be used Used responsibly, third-party data plays a critical role in addressable advertising by complementing your first-party data and keeping audience strategies flexible as signals change. Benefits of third-party data When paired with identity resolution, high-quality third-party data helps you: Fill first-party gaps: Add demographic, behavioral, and interest-based insight when your own data is limited. Expand prospecting: Reach new audiences through modeling and lookalike expansion. Enrich segmentation: Combine household, behavioral, and interest signals to tailor creative, offers, and messaging to interests for more accurate and personalized activation. Support cross-channel addressability: Maintain consistent audience reach across devices and channels even as individual signals change. Why work with Experian for your data needs? At Experian, we approach third-party data with the belief that trust comes first. Our data is privacy-compliant, ethically sourced, and governed by strict standards so you can use it confidently. Accuracy matters just as much. Our identity and data-quality framework verifies that the data behind your audiences holds up in the real world — a key reason Experian is ranked #1 by Truthset for key demographic attributes. And because addressable advertising only delivers value when audiences move seamlessly from planning to activation, our audiences are interoperable by design. You can activate them across digital, social, and CTV platforms without rebuilding or reformatting your strategy for each channel. How AI is redefining customer segmentation Addressable advertising depends on audiences that stay accurate as people move across devices, platforms, and moments. Traditional segmentation built on static rules and snapshots in time can’t keep up with that reality. AI customer segmentation analyzes massive sets of household and individual data (such as intent, household demographics, purchase behavior, and content consumption) to identify patterns, predict intent, and group people into addressable audiences. As the AI advertising ecosystem continues to mature, reflected in industry frameworks like the LUMA AI Lumascape, segmentation and identity have become foundational layers rather than standalone tools. Those audiences update as conditions change, so they stay relevant instead of aging out. Here’s how AI-driven segmentation supports addressable advertising. What AI enablesWhy it mattersPredictive, intent-based audiencesAnalyze behavioral and transactional data to group people based on likely next actionsBroader audience availabilityAs more data signals are incorporated responsibly, AI makes it possible to support a wider range of addressable audience options without sacrificing accuracyDeeper insights from dataDiscover what people care about, how intent is forming, and which signals are most important with larger, more diverse data setsReal-time audience updatesKeep segments aligned as behaviors change, not weeks laterHigher accuracy, less guessworkRely on data-driven patterns for decision-making instead of assumptionsOngoing optimizationRefine audiences throughout the campaign lifecycle as performance signals come in We’ve used machine learning and analytics for decades to support responsible segmentation — balancing performance with privacy and transparency. That foundation now supports addressable advertising that adapts in real time while staying grounded in trust. Addressable TV: Targeting in the streaming era TV has become an addressable channel powered by data and identity resolution. CTV and OTT streaming are booming, while linear TV continues to decline, reshaping how people watch and how advertising works alongside it. For the first time, CTV spending is expected to outpace traditional TV ad spending in 2028, reaching $46.89 billion and signaling that addressable TV is now central to the media mix. With CTV and OTT platforms, advertising can now be delivered at the household level. That means two homes watching the same show can see different ads based on who lives there and what they like. This is what makes addressable TV possible. Benefits of addressable TV As streaming inventory continues to grow, addressable TV creates new ways to bring relevance and accountability to a channel once defined by broad exposure. Experian links identity data across streaming, linear, and digital platforms to help you manage frequency, attribution, and household-level insights in one connected view. Addressable TV also raises the bar. To manage reach, frequency, and measurement across streaming and linear environments, addressable TV depends on identity resolution that connects households across screens. Here’s how addressable TV helps you when identity is in place. What addressable TV enablesWhy it mattersHousehold-level targetingDeliver messages that reflect who’s watching, not just what’s onFrequency control across screensReduce overexposure and improve viewer experienceCross-channel measurement and attributionConnect TV exposure to digital actions, site visits, and conversionsMore efficient use of TV spendBring accuracy, accountability, and outcome-based insight to premium inventory and improve reach of streaming-first, harder-to-reach viewer segments Ultimately, addressable TV isn’t a replacement for linear TV, but it is an evolution. As streaming becomes the default viewing experience, the ability to engage TV audiences with the same care and clarity as digital is essential. Use cases for addressable advertising Addressable advertising works across industries because it adapts to how people make decisions. The examples below are illustrative scenarios that show how addressable audiences, identity resolution, and AI-driven segmentation can come together in practice using Experian solutions. Retail: Seasonal promotions A home décor retailer could use identity resolution and AI-driven segmentation to build addressable audiences, such as holiday decorators and recent movers, who are more likely to engage during peak seasonal periods. Campaigns could then be activated across CTV, display, and social, helping the retailer stay visible across screens while tailoring creative to seasonal intent. Automotive: In-market car buyers An auto brand might identify consumers nearing lease expiration using automotive-specific data tied to household and individual attributes. By suppressing current owners, the brand could avoid wasted impressions and activate addressable audiences across OTT and mobile to reach likely buyers during active consideration. Financial services: Credit card launch For a new credit card launch, a national bank could use modeled financial segments to reach credit-qualified prospects. Addressable digital advertising campaigns could apply frequency controls and personalized messaging, balancing reach with relevance while seamlessly measuring response. Streaming media: New subscriber growth A streaming platform looking to grow subscriptions could use an identity graph to exclude current subscribers. Likely viewers could then be targeted across CTV based on content preferences and viewing behavior, keeping spend focused on net-new growth. Media and entertainment: Audience expansion for a new release Ahead of a new release, a film studio could use behavioral and lifestyle data to identify likely moviegoers and fans of similar franchises. Addressable campaigns across CTV and digital video could help drive awareness and opening weekend attendance. Travel: High-value traveler acquisition A travel brand could use travel propensity data and household-level demographics to identify frequent flyers and family vacation planners. Personalized offers could then be activated across display, social, and programmatic channels to increase bookings while keeping spend focused on higher-value travelers. How Experian enables more effective addressable campaigns Addressable advertising is most effective when identity, data, and activation are connected from the start. Experian brings trusted household and individual data, privacy-first identity resolution, and broad activation partnerships together so you can move from audience insights to activation with minimal friction. Here’s how that comes to life across our core offerings. Identity resolution with Consumer Sync Consumer Sync connects devices, emails, digital identifiers, and offline data into a single, privacy-safe identity foundation. This connection helps your audiences stay consistent across streaming, linear TV, mobile, and digital despite changing signals. Audience insight and segmentation with Consumer View Consumer View supports clear segmentation, prospecting, and enrichment across industries. It combines demographic, behavioral, and interest-based data to help you build accurate, intent-driven audiences that reflect real people, not assumptions. Data is continuously updated and governed for accuracy. Omnichannel activation with Audience Engine Audience Engine enables direct activation of Experian audiences across CTV, digital, social, and programmatic platforms. It supports suppression, frequency management, and cross-channel consistency to keep messaging aligned and exposure controlled. More efficient media through curation and Curated Deals Curation combines data, identity, and inventory through Experian Curated Deals. These deal IDs, available off-the-shelf or privately, make it easier to activate high-quality audiences and premium inventory in the platforms you already use without custom setup. AI-enhanced segmentation and optimization Our AI-enhanced models analyze large data sets to create and refresh addressable audiences in real time, supporting intent-based targeting and ongoing optimization throughout the campaign lifecycle. These models work seamlessly with demand-side platforms (DSPs), ad platforms, and data clean rooms, so audience insights flow directly into activation and measurement without added complexity. Seamless integration with your ecosystem As an advertiser, you want addressable advertising to fit naturally into how you already plan and buy media. That’s why integration matters as much as insight. Experian integrates with leading DSPs, ad platforms, and data clean rooms, so you can activate addressable audiences in the environments you already use without reworking your strategy or adding complexity. This approach helps you: Build and activate addressable audiences: Reach the people you want with accuracy and respect. Activate across channels: Keep messaging consistent across digital, TV, and streaming. Optimize with data ranked #1 in accuracy by Truthset: Improve performance using the industry’s most reliable data. When identity, data, AI, and activation come together, addressable advertising does what it’s supposed to do: deliver relevance naturally, measure impact clearly, and give you confidence in every decision along the way. That’s the foundation for campaigns people want to engage with. Start creating campaigns audiences want to see Experian can help you apply addressable advertising in ways that respect consumers, perform across channels, and stand up to real-world measurement. Connect with our experts today to explore how addressable audiences, AI-driven segmentation, and identity-powered activation can work together in support of your goals. FAQs about addressable advertising What is addressable advertising? Addressable data-driven advertising involves delivering personalized ads to specific individuals or households using privacy-safe data and identity. What is an addressable audience? An addressable audience is a defined group of consumers you can identify and reach based on known household or individual attributes. What makes advertising addressable? Advertising becomes addressable when it’s possible to identify the audience by linking devices and households to people through identity graphs. This allows you to measure ad performance at the audience level and provide more personalized advertising. Is addressable advertising just for TV? Addressable advertising isn’t just for TV; it also works across digital, mobile, streaming, and social channels. How does AI help addressable advertising? AI improves addressable advertising by analyzing large data sets to predict intent, build more accurate audiences, boost performance over time, and improve your ability to find and build your audiences. Can addressable advertising work without cookies? Yes — identity resolution and first-party data are key to cookieless addressability. How does Experian support addressable advertising? Experian supports addressable advertising by providing trusted consumer data, privacy-centric identity resolution, and curated audience segments that activate across CTV, digital, mobile, and streaming platforms. Latest posts

Year after year, CES signals where marketing is headed next. In 2026, the message was clear. Progress comes from connecting data, intelligence, and outcomes with discipline, not spectacle. Across AI, programmatic media, and measurement, the same priorities surfaced again and again. 2026 Digital trends and predictions report Our 2026 Digital trends and predictions report is available now and reveals five trends that will define 2026. From curation becoming the standard in programmatic to AI moving from hype to implementation, each trend reflects a shift toward more connected, data-driven marketing. The interplay between them will define how marketers will lead in 2026. Download Under the bright lights of Las Vegas, three themes cut through, and each one pointed to a future where data, intelligence, and outcomes move in lockstep. Here are the three themes that defined CES 2026. 1. Agentic AI proved that it’s only as good as its data inputs AI was once again the star of the show. At CES 2026, marketers focused less on demos and more on proof that AI improves decisions, reduces friction, and drives outcomes. Every credible use case traced back to accurate, privacy-first data. What changed at CES was how that intelligence is being applied. Agentic AI systems designed to act autonomously are moving beyond insights and into execution. From media buying to optimization, these agents are increasingly expected to make decisions at speed and scale. That shift raises the stakes for data quality. When AI is operating campaigns, not just informing them, accuracy and privacy are non-negotiable. “This year's CES made agency priorities crystal clear. Efficiency, differentiation, and outcomes. As agentic AI takes on more responsibility across planning, activation, and measurement, Experian gives agencies a robust data and identity foundation they can trust to own the outcome for every client.”Greg Williams, Chief Operating Officer Without accurate, privacy-compliant data, AI agents struggle to reflect real behavior or support responsible personalization. A reliable, privacy-first data foundation is what turns AI from an interesting experiment into an operational advantage. That advantage gets even stronger when it’s anchored in an identity graph that understands people and households across channels. When identity and intelligence move together, AI becomes more accurate, accountable, and effective at driving outcomes. In an AI first world, the strongest signal isn't scale. It's data quality. Watch our agentic media panel from our Curated Couch at CES 2026 2. Curation goes mainstream Curation is no longer experimental. At CES, it showed up as a mandated capability for buyers and sellers navigating fragmented signals and complex supply paths. Marketers want intentional media buys they can explain, defend, and repeat. AI is accelerating this shift. As AI systems take on more responsibility for planning, packaging, and optimization, curation provides the guardrails. It defines what “good” looks like (premium supply, trusted data, and clear performance goals), and allows AI to operate within those constraints driving the optimal outcomes for marketers. “Our sell-side clients walked into CES asking how to stand out in a crowded landscape. The answer kept coming back to data-driven curation. With Experian Audiences and Curated Deals, SSPs and publishers can improve targeting within PMPs, package inventory more intelligently, and prove value with confidence. As we head into 2026, data is no longer a supporting input. It needs to be at the center of every conversation.”Chris Meredith, Head of Sell-Side Rather than maximizing inventory access, curation prioritizes control, transparency, and performance. Buyers want premium supply aligned to specific goals. Sellers want clearer paths to demand. They can play the odds or own the outcome. When data leads, they own it. When curation is powered by high-fidelity audiences and a connected identity framework, it becomes even stronger. That’s what allows curated deals to deliver clarity, confidence, and repeatable performance. This shift reflects a broader move away from probability-based buying toward outcome ownership, where AI-driven systems are measured not on activity, but on results. 3. Activation and measurement finally shared the same stage Activation and measurement are now coming together around shared data and identity. CES 2026 marked a turning point where closing the loop felt achievable, not aspirational. Both the buy-side and sell-side face pressure to show that media investment drives outcomes. Agentic AI was a quiet driver of this optimism. As AI agents increasingly manage activation decisions in real time, marketers need measurement systems that can keep up. That requires a shared data and identity foundation. One that allows AI-driven actions to be evaluated against outcomes consistently, across channels and partners. In healthcare, accuracy is everything. Our clients need to reach patients and healthcare professionals in ways that respect privacy while driving meaningful outcomes. CES underscored that privacy, identity, and measurement must work in harmony. That’s how health marketers reduce risk and increase the likelihood that every message leads to better care.Sheila Wirick, Sales Director, Health Achieving that requires a consistent identity spine that connects planning, activation, and outcomes across channels. And that spine is strongest when it’s built on accurate, privacy-first data and audiences that understand people and households. That connection allows marketers to move beyond proxy metrics and evaluate performance based on tangible results. When campaigns and measurement rely on the same data foundation, AI-driven platforms can optimize toward outcomes such as new customers, account growth, or in-store activity, not just delivery metrics. That’s the connective layer that turns disconnected touch points into a measurable, outcomes-based system. Watch our healthcare marketing panel from our Curated Couch at CES 2026 Three takeaways from CES 2026 AI is maturing, but only for teams with accurate, connected, privacy-first data that AI agents can act on responsibly. Curation is scaling, giving both humans and AI systems clearer paths to quality, control, and differentiation. Activation and measurement are aligning, allowing AI-driven decisions to be judged on outcomes, not assumptions. We’re building for that world today. One where agentic AI operates on a trusted data and identity foundation, curation defines the rules, and outcomes determine success. With the right foundation and the deep data inputs, you can move faster, reduce risk, and let intelligence (human and artificial) work together to deliver results that last long after the neon lights fade. Connect with us FAQs What was the biggest shift discussed at CES 2026 for marketers? The biggest shift was the move from hype to accountability. Marketers focused on data quality, intentional media buying, and outcome-based measurement rather than experimental technology. Why did AI discussions emphasize privacy-first data? Privacy-first data supports accuracy, compliance, and trust. AI models built on unreliable or opaque data struggle to reflect real consumer behavior and create risk for brands. At Experian, privacy and compliance are built in. Every data signal, attribute, audience, and partner goes through our rigorous review process to meet federal, state, and local consumer privacy laws. With decades of experience in highly regulated industries, we’ve built processes that emphasize risk mitigation, transparency, and accountability. How does curation help reduce programmatic complexity? Curation simplifies buying by pairing premium inventory with specific audience and performance goals. This approach reduces waste and creates clearer, more repeatable buying paths. With the acquisition of Audigent, Experian is now more than just a premier data provider. We’re also a full-service curation partner. Together, we deliver end-to-end programmatic curation across data, inventory, and optimization, helping brands and publishers unlock smarter, more scalable media strategies. What does it mean to align activation and measurement? It means using the same identity and data foundation to plan campaigns and evaluate results. This alignment allows marketers to measure success based on business outcomes, not just delivery metrics. With Experian, marketers can plan, reach, and measure in a connected cycle. Every impression is measurable. Every audience is accurate. Every decision is powered by data ranked #1 in accuracy by Truthset. Why is identity central to all three CES themes? Identity connects data across channels and stages of the customer journey. It enables accurate AI, effective curation, and consistent measurement within one system. Experian delivers identity resolution at the scale, accuracy, and compliance required by the world’s largest enterprises. Our solutions are:- Built on trust: Backed by 40+ years as a regulated data steward and rated #1 in data accuracy by Truthset, so you can act with confidence.- Powered by our proprietary AI-enhanced identity graph: Combining breadth, accuracy, and recency across four billion identifiers, continuously refined by machine learning for maximum accuracy.- Seamlessly connected: Pre-built data integration with leading CDPs, DSPs, and MarTech platforms for faster time to value.- Always up to date: Frequent enrichment and near-real-time identity resolution through Activity Feed for timely personalization and more responsive customer engagement.- Privacy-first by design: Compliance with GLBA, FCRA, and emerging state regulations baked in at every step, supported by rigorous partner vetting. Latest posts