PMP Optimization: How To Increase Your Lift With First Party Data

Programmatic Guaranteed (PG) and Private Marketplace (PMP) deals are two of the most effective ways for publishers and advertisers to transact premium inventory programmatically. PMP deals allow publishers to offer premium inventory to selected buyers at a negotiated price, while PG deals enable publishers to sell premium inventory to a single buyer at a fixed price.

However, optimizing PMP and PG deals can be a challenging task, especially for publishers who are new to programmatic advertising. In this article, we will focus on PMP optimization, specifically how to use first-party data to improve the performance of PMP deals. We’ll discuss the benefits of PMP deals, how they work, and provide tips and best practices for optimizing PMP deals. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of PMP optimization and be able to apply these concepts to your own programmatic advertising campaigns.

PMP Definition

PMP stands for Private Marketplace, which is a programmatic advertising deal between a select group of publishers and buyers. PMP deals offer premium inventory to selected buyers at a negotiated price, with more control and transparency compared to open auction buying. They can be set up with specific targeting options and ad formats for maximum performance.

How PMP Optimization Works?

PMP optimization involves using first-party data to improve the performance of PMP deals. First-party data refers to data that is collected directly from a publisher’s website or app, such as user behavior, interests, and demographics. Here are the steps involved in PMP optimization:

1. Define campaign goals: The first step in PMP optimization is to define the campaign goals, such as increasing revenue, improving ad viewability, or boosting engagement.
2. Identify target audience: The next step is to identify the target audience for the campaign using first-party data. This can include demographic information, browsing behavior, or other relevant data points.
3. Set up PMP deals: Once the target audience is identified, set up PMP deals with specific targeting options and ad formats to maximize performance.
4. Analyze data: Monitor the performance of PMP deals and analyze data using first-party data to identify trends and patterns. This can include click-through rates, conversion rates, and other performance metrics.
5. Optimize campaigns: Based on the analysis of data, optimize the PMP campaigns by adjusting targeting options, ad formats, or bidding strategies.
6. Repeat the process: Continuously monitor and optimize PMP campaigns based on first-party data to improve performance and achieve campaign goals.

In a nutshell, PMP optimization involves using first-party data to create highly targeted campaigns that deliver maximum value to advertisers while generating higher revenue for publishers. By leveraging first-party data to optimize PMP deals, publishers and advertisers can achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently.

PMP Deals: Benefits

1. Higher CPMs and revenue potential due to access to premium inventory.
2. More control over who buys the inventory and at what price, which can lead to better advertiser relationships.
3. Increased transparency in the transaction process and ad placement.
4. Reduced risk of ad fraud and brand safety concerns due to the vetting of buyers.
5. Ability to target specific audiences and demographics with relevant ads.
6. Improved campaign performance due to access to first-party data and audience insights.

PMP Deals: Types

Here are the different types of PMP deals available in a table form:

Each type of PMP deal offers unique benefits and may be more suitable for different types of campaigns. Publishers and buyers should carefully consider their goals and requirements before selecting the type of PMP deal best suited for their needs.

Tips and best practices for optimizing PMP deals

1. Use first-party data: Publishers should use first-party data to gain insights into audience behavior, preferences, and interests. This data can be used to create highly targeted campaigns that deliver maximum value to advertisers.
2. Set up exclusive deals: Preferred Deals and Curated Marketplaces offer exclusive access to premium inventory and help to increase revenue potential. Publishers can negotiate with select buyers to offer inventory at a fixed price.
3. Optimize pricing: Experiment with different pricing models, such as CPM, CPC or CPA, to find the optimal pricing structure that delivers the best results.
4. Leverage programmatic guaranteed deals: Programmatic Guaranteed deals can offer a steady stream of revenue and help to build long-term relationships with buyers. Publishers should leverage programmatic guaranteed deals for maximum revenue potential.
5. Ensure brand safety: Publishers should ensure brand safety by vetting buyers and ensuring that ads are placed in safe environments. This helps to reduce the risk of ad fraud and maintain the credibility of the publisher’s brand.
6. Test and learn: Constantly experiment and test different PMP deal setups to identify what works best for the business. By testing and learning, publishers can optimize their PMP deals and drive better results over time.

Optimizing PMP deals involves using first-party data to create highly targeted campaigns, optimizing pricing, and continuously monitoring and analyzing performance. Publishers should also ensure brand safety, leverage programmatic guaranteed deals, set up exclusive deals, and constantly experiment and test different PMP deal setups to identify what works best for their business.

Monetize that First-Party Data

As I mentioned above, the key in successful PMPs is monetizing first-party data. For example, there’s a pub that has a series of sites for college students and there’s a specific piece of first-party data. If a user has taken a specific action on one of the sites, it’s a huge predictor of success for credit card ad campaigns.

Another example a car review site can pitch to buyers is “this segment is for car buyers interested in mid-sized sedans.”

In both of these examples, the user has done something that demonstrates extremely high purchase intent, but the bidder doesn’t have that information — building trust with the bidder to buy this segment is typically where the value of a PMP exists.  Because of the high purchase intent, bidders will frequently pay very high rates.  Once they see that the segment performs, the bidders can also use the PMP to expand their cookie pools and bid on the same users on other sites.

Ultra-Premium inventory

Aside segments annotated by first-party data, a handful of pubs have mentioned that high-impact inventory can be beneficial with PMPs — the price is usually kicked up very high while artificially limiting access to the inventory.

There is some illusory chasing going on here though, as nothing prevents a pub from setting up the same exact unit and just slapping high floors on it on the open auction.  You’ll have to test it with your audience.

But I’ll monetize “relationships”!

Without some sort of value-add over the open auction, the only kind of relationship that matters is when the publisher’s PMP manager’s son plays baseball with the agency’s buyer’s son, or they were roommates in college together — those are classic cheat-mode relationships.  A handful of cold-calls and monthly or quarterly check-ins does not make a cheat-mode relationship, and there’s no value-add over an open auction.  If anything, those calls and emails about what can already be purchased directly on the open auction is actually a nuisance to most buyers.  The bidder doesn’t get anything they can’t get on open auction.

Suppose you are seeking to utilize your sales force and can’t monetize first-party data. In that case, there are potential gains available from reaching out to major agencies and advertisers and asking them to whitelist you on the open auction.  Some bidders are extremely restrictive in their bidding, and getting whitelisted can provide a non-negligible lift. However, you have to have the bidder in mind (because they won’t show up in your reporting), and some indication that they’d bid on a non-negligible portion of your inventory.

Efforts to test their lift are the same as above — block the bidder out on random impressions based on a random KVP (Key-value pair).  This white-list outreach strategy often only benefits small to midsize pubs with niche audiences and specific bidders that can be shortlisted for outreach.  Large brand-name pubs usually get whitelisted anyways.

To get the most from your ad inventory, sign up with MonetizeMore’s premium publisher plan and get expert ad optimization help.

Aleesha Jacob

With over seven years at the forefront of programmatic advertising, Aleesha is a renowned Ad-Tech expert, blending innovative strategies with cutting-edge technology. Her insights have reshaped programmatic advertising, leading to groundbreaking campaigns and 10X ROI increases for publishers and global brands. She believes in setting new standards in dynamic ad targeting and optimization.