Key CTV Insights, New AI Innovations, Member Wins, and What’s Ahead for 2026

Streaming now accounts for 44% of viewing time but only 16.5% of ad impressions. 

This mismatch shaped some of the most important conversations at PDMI West 2025.

You now have exclusive access to all eight session videos, packed with practical lessons on CTV, data, influencers, and audience strategy.

Inside this blog, you’ll find the top takeaways from every session, new AI innovations, member wins, and everything you need to know about PDMI’s 2026 events. 

PDMI West 2025 — Full Session Videos Now Available

PDMI West 2025 brought together top brands, publishers, and performance leaders to share practical lessons across CTV, data, media buying, and audience strategy. 

All eight sessions are now available on YouTube, and you can watch any session to explore the full insights in detail.

Session 1 — Brands Eye the Future of CTV

Leaders from Disney, SNHU, Apartment Therapy, and Blockboard explained how CTV is now a key performance channel as viewers shift from cable to streaming. 

They showed how QR codes, shoppable screens, and premium CTV placements help brands drive real actions and reach younger, hard-to-find audiences.

Session 2 — Data Delivers Desired Performance

Presented by the Women’s Leadership Council, this session showed how strong data leads to better results. Speakers stressed collecting clear, consistent signals and keeping first-party data clean. 

They shared how third-party checks, incrementality testing, and secure tools like clean rooms help teams measure true performance, even as privacy rules change.

Session 3 — Leveraging the Power of Influencers

This session explained how influencers help brands build trust and spark action. Speakers showed why clear personas and nano or micro creators deliver stronger engagement.

The panel highlighted how brands should repurpose influencer content across ads, Amazon, email, and even CTV. They emphasised using promo links, securing usage rights, and setting budgets that support repeatable, scalable campaigns.

Session 4 — Media Outlet Roundtable

Executives from Disney, DISH Media, and NBCUniversal explained the sell-side view on buying TV and streaming. They said streaming overtook linear in mid-2025 and warned that only about 16.5% of ad impressions lived in streaming, even though streaming made up roughly 44% of viewing time.

They said live sports and interactive ads worked best for performance. They urged simpler buying, deterministic data, and unified campaigns across linear and CTV.

Session 5 — CTV Drives Mobile Advertiser Success

This session explained how CTV is helping mobile advertisers turn TV views into real app installs and actions. Samsung and AppsFlyer showed how viewers often see an ad on TV and then respond through their phones.

They highlighted that CTV performs best when conversions are tracked across screens, giving brands a clearer and more accurate view of what drives results.

Session 6 — Where Are My Customers?

Experts from Balance of Nature, Allied Elite Financial, and Meaningful Beauty shared how finding customers has become harder as people split their time across TV, CTV, social, and Amazon.

They showed that many buyers still act on the phone or through Amazon, and that simple tools like QR codes, which converted about 8–10% for one brand, help teams see who is actually responding.

Session 7 — Hispanic Market Takes on Challenges

Experts in this session explained how the U.S. Hispanic market is a major growth opportunity as the population reaches about 68 million people.

They showed that brands win more when they use cultural creative, pair linear with CTV, and stay active year-round instead of only advertising during special occasions.

Session 8 — Finding the Right Agency/Ad Tech Partners

Leaders from Grand Canyon Education and Northeastern explained that choosing the right partners is harder than ever, especially with nearly 20,000 agencies in the U.S.

They showed that the best partners act like true teammates. They bring clear reporting, stable teams, and investment in your goals so your marketing can grow.

Tools and Directories for Advertisers

PDMI gives brands fast access to the outlets and agencies that drive performance.

Ad Outlet Directory

The PDMI Ad Outlet Directory lists more than 150 TV networks, streaming platforms, and CTV operators, including major brands like A&E, Hulu, Samsung Ads, and Telemundo.

Advertisers can view each outlet’s contact details and request demos directly, making it easy to compare options and reach the right media partners fast.

Media Agency Directory

The PDMI Media Agency Directory features more than 50 performance, digital, and TV agencies, including leaders like Bluewater, Lockard & Wechsler Direct, and Cannella Media DTC.

Each listing includes full contact and buying details, helping brands connect quickly with the right partners for upcoming campaigns.

Web-Exclusive Member Content

PDMI’s latest member exclusives spotlight the tools, platforms, and ideas reshaping performance marketing right now.

Buyist Launches Auware

Buyist introduced Auware, Shopify’s only app that auto-builds audience-specific landing pages at scale. 

Built on Buyist’s performance system that has driven $2 billion in revenue, Auware uses AI to tailor pages for each shopper and boost post-click conversions. It gives performance teams fast, targeted personalization.

TikTok Shop vs. Amazon, Walmart & eBay

Flatworld Group’s Ranjit Mulgaonkar explained how TikTok Shop is changing online shopping with discovery-led buying. 

The platform now hosts more than 500,000 sellers and hit $12.5 billion in revenue, fueled by creators, in-app checkout, and TikTok’s trend-driven algorithm. It’s becoming a rival to Amazon, Walmart, and eBay by turning content into instant commerce.

Blockboard Introduces BlockVantage

Blockboard debuted BlockVantage, its new AI platform built on top of its award-winning programmatic tech. 

Matt Wasserlauf showed its impact through a Jersey Mike’s pilot, where a small budget drove 18 customers and a $5.48 cost per visit. By cutting waste and using AI plus blockchain, BlockVantage delivered performance that outpaced bigger platforms.

Member News & Announcements

Big milestones and bigger opportunities are happening across PDMI. Here’s what you need to know.

Blockboard Wins 2025 Digiday Technology Award

Blockboard earned the 2025 Digiday Award for Best Buy-Side Programmatic Platform, marking its first win after two years as a finalist. 

The recognition highlights its blockchain-verified, fraud-free CTV delivery and strengthens its position as a trusted DSP for brands that want transparent, high-performance streaming campaigns.

PDMI 2026 Events — Registration Now Open

Badges are now available for both 2026 events, marking PDMI’s first price increase in four years. Through December 31, you can still lock in 2025 presale rates: 

• PDMI East: April 13–15 in Miami Beach, FL.
• PDMI West: October 19–21 in San Diego.
• Presale Pricing: $395 for PDMI member employees, $595 for non-members.

Stay Ahead of What’s Next

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