Overview
Media Buys are the actual execution layer where budget meets publisher inventory. Strategies provide the targeting configuration (channels, countries), and Media Buys execute with specific publishers through ADCP (Ad Context Protocol).Two-Tier Architecture: Campaign → Strategy → Media Buy
- Campaigns: Overall marketing initiative with total budget
- Strategies: Targeting configuration (channels, countries) and media buy organization
- 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 strategy 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 are organized under strategies for campaign execution: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
- Conversational
- Programmatic
Managing Multiple Media Buys
Strategies 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 Strategies
Media buys are organized under strategies for execution: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.