Overview
Media Buys are the actual execution layer where budget meets publisher inventory. While Tactics define your strategic allocation (targeting + budget), Media Buys execute that strategy with specific publishers through ADCP (Ad Context Protocol).Three-Tier Architecture: Campaign → Tactic → Media Buy
- Campaigns: Overall marketing initiative with total budget
- Tactics: Strategic budget allocation with targeting strategy
- Media Buys: Direct publisher execution at negotiated CPMs
The Media Buy Lifecycle
Phase 1: Discovery & Selection
Media buys begin with publisher product discovery:Phase 2: Creation & Pricing
Create a media buy within a tactic with transparent pricing:Phase 3: Execution via ADCP
Media buys are submitted to publishers through their ADCP sales agents:Phase 4: Performance Tracking
Real-time performance data flows back from publishers:Key Concepts
Budget Allocation
Media buys inherit budget from their parent tactic:Pricing Transparency
Every media buy shows complete pricing breakdown:- Base CPM: Publisher’s rate for the inventory
- Signal Cost: Additional cost for data/targeting
- Total CPM: Effective cost you pay per thousand impressions
Publisher Integration States
Media buys progress through clear states:Status | Icon | Description | Next Action |
---|---|---|---|
draft | ⚪ | Created but not submitted | Execute to submit |
pending_approval | 🟡 | Awaiting publisher approval | Wait for webhook |
active | 🟢 | Live and delivering | Monitor performance |
rejected | 🔴 | Publisher declined | Review and modify |
completed | ✅ | Fully delivered | Analyze results |
failed | ❌ | Technical failure | Check error details |
Working with Media Buys
Creating Your First Media Buy
Managing Multiple Media Buys
Tactics typically have multiple media buys for diversification:Performance Optimization
Media buys can be optimized while running:Advanced Features
Webhook Integration
Media buys support real-time status updates via webhooks:Budget Pacing Strategies
Three pacing options control delivery speed:Strategy | Use Case | Behavior |
---|---|---|
even | Standard campaigns | Consistent daily delivery |
asap | Time-sensitive | Deliver as fast as possible |
front_loaded | Launch campaigns | Higher initial spend, taper down |
Publisher Product Types
Different inventory types serve different goals:Type | Description | Typical CPM | Best For |
---|---|---|---|
premium | Top-tier placements | $30-60 | Brand campaigns |
run_of_site | General inventory | $10-25 | Scale/reach |
targeted_package | Custom audiences | $20-40 | Performance |
Best Practices
1. Diversification Strategy
Don’t put all budget in one media buy:2. CPM Benchmarking
Compare CPMs across similar inventory:3. Performance Monitoring
Set up regular performance checks:Common Patterns
Testing New Publishers
Seasonal Inventory Booking
Integration with Tactics
Media buys aggregate up to tactics for strategic view:API Reference
media_buy_create
Create Media BuySet up new publisher execution with budget and pricing.
media_buy_execute
Execute Media BuySubmit to publisher via ADCP for approval and delivery.
media_buy_list
List Media BuysView all media buys for a tactic with performance data.
media_buy_get
Get Media Buy DetailsDetailed view with real-time performance metrics.
media_buy_update
Update Media BuyModify budget, pacing, or status while running.
media_buy_delete
Delete Media BuyRemove draft media buys that haven’t been executed.