Programmatic in the USA: Adam Kasper of Havas Media -- The Jay Sears Interview

By Archived Rubicon Project Archives
Cover image for  article: Programmatic in the USA: Adam Kasper of Havas Media -- The Jay Sears Interview

This is the first in a series of interviews with leading buyers titled “Programmatic in the USA.” The conversation will continue at “The 6th Annual Agency Trading Desk Update: Automating the Rest of It” during Advertising Week New York on Wednesday, October 1st at 9:00am at the Liberty Theater, 234 West 42nd Street, New York City (between 7th & 8th Avenues). To RSVP go here.

Your Name: Adam Kasper

Your Company: Havas Media

Your Title: Chief Media Officer

SEARS: Where do you read your daily news?

KASPER: The Boston Globe and New York Times apps, sports radio, social media.

SEARS: What’s your favorite commercial of all time?

KASPER: The Hummer spot with The Who song.

SEARS: Today on average in the United States -- out of each $1.00 spent on media (all media, not just digital) by one of your advertisers -- how much today is spent on automated or programmatic channels?

KASPER: $.04. We will continue to see steady growth until TV is automated, and then we will see a fast rise in this number.

SEARS: What was this number in 2012?

KASPER: $.03

SEARS: What will this number be in 2016?

KASPER: $.11

SEARS: What is the mission statement of Havas’ Affiperf?

KASPER: To drive value for our clients through data and technology powered media buying.

SEARS: Please tell us:

SEARS: Overall United States managed budget (media spend) for your trading desk, expected in 2014:

KASPER: Proprietary

SEARS: Percentage increase, United States managed budget (media spend) 2013 vs. expected 2014:

KASPER: 100%

SEARS: How many employees are there in your United States organization [headcount number]?

KASPER: Total across USA: 25

SEARS: What are Affiperf’s three biggest U.S. initiatives in 2014?

KASPER:

1. One: Grow current client business
2. Two: Build new client relationships
3. Three: Expand into non-traditional automated channel buying

SEARS: By 2016, what percentage of your holding company’s U.S. media spend will be automated or programmatic?

KASPER: 12%

SEARS: Can linear TV be automated, yes or no?

KASPER: Yes but it requires a huge investment in consumer hardware which will take 5-7 years to scale.

SEARS: Do you plan to automate linear TV in 2014? 2015?

KASPER: Yes, we are quite active in this space and placing test buys on behalf of many clients.

SEARS: Once linear TV is automated, will it be bought by TV buyers or digital buyers?

KASPER: They will be one and the same.

SEARS: On the subject of business models, the best way to describe your company is:

a) Product organization – i.e. you curate a media product for your agencies and advertisers
b) Service organization – i.e. you recommend and manage best practices and best of breed products for your agencies and advertisers
c) Combination of both
d) Other

KASPER: C, more geared to B. Affiperf currently manages technology from 3rd parties to enable the trading experts to execute client buys.

SEARS: What percentage of your agency or advertiser’s site direct budget (direct orders) has been automated?

a) Less than 10% (of site direct dollars)
b) 11-20%
c) 21-50%
d) Over 50%

KASPER: B. We have seen a ramp up in the past few months and expect more growth in Q4.

SEARS: Tell us a bit more about you.

SEARS: Who was one of your first mentors as a child?

KASPER: My dad taught me the importance of working hard and committing to your goals.

SEARS: Money is not a concern. You no longer work in advertising or technology. What would you choose to do for work?

KASPER: Fighter pilot

Thanks, Adam!

Jay Sears is Senior Vice President, Marketplace Development for the Rubicon Project. Sears workswith leadership and business unit heads across the company to expand Rubicon Project’s potential market. Sears has also served as General Manager, REVV Buyer, where he was responsible for global relations with the buy side including ad holding companies, ad agencies, agency trading desks and demand side platforms headquartered in North America. Jay can be reached at jsears@rubiconproject.com.

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