Paid Media AdTech · IT Strategy & Assessment

Paid Media AdTech Landscape · IT Strategy & Assessment

A combined IT and Business AdTech strategy to navigate major industry changes over the next several years — protecting current market share and staying ahead of competitors in a post-cookie world.

$48M
Mobility Paid Media (2022)
$200M
Global Media Spend
$32M
Media Dollars at Risk
⚠ Critical Data Gap — Right Now
80%
of cookie-based traffic already unavailable for marketing
20%
of total traffic actually trackable via 3PC
30%
current site opt-in rate impeding ad tools
🎯

$32M in advertising at risk

Without first-party data strategy, up to $32M in Paid Media spend will lose targeting and measurement capability by end of 2024 when Google deprecates 3PC.

01
Current Environment

Drivers for Change

Various market and industry changes are impacting the way Energy-provider runs its Paid Media operations and specifically its usage of AdTech platforms. A combined IT and Business AdTech strategy is needed to navigate these changes.

01
🍪
Deprecation of 3rd Party Cookies
With most major browsers and device manufacturers announcing pending deprecation of 3rd party cookies, companies will be forced to find new and alternative solutions for programmatic digital advertising. All major browsers phase out 3PC by end of 2024. FireFox (2017) → Safari (2019) → Chrome & Edge (2024).
02
⚖️
Regulatory Requirements
Regulation like GDPR, CCPA, and CPRA will severely limit what customer data can be stored and tracked. There will be a heavy focus on ensuring data collection, storage, and processing is compliant with regulations, and that consent is provided and controlled by the end user.
03
👁️
End User Awareness
Consumers are becoming more aware and sensitive to how companies treat their data and online activity. Currently, just over 2 in 3 Go+ customers reject the use of tracking tools in the App. Energy-provider's consent rate sits at just 20%, far below industry best practice.
04
📱
Mobile Device Limitations
Apple ATT (iOS 14.5+) allows users to opt out of sharing tracking data and IDFA device IDs. Google will also restrict third-party access to GAID starting Q4 2023. The ATT message means Energy-provider cannot collect IDFA if the customer opts-out or does not see it — reducing push notification audiences and app tracking.
TIMELINE
Industry Deprecation Journey
2017
Firefox ends 3PC support
Ad-blocking software becomes more common. The beginning of the end for third-party cookie reliance.
2018
GDPR & CCPA Regulation
GDPR impacts Europe, CCPA impacts California. Data collection practices fundamentally challenged across the industry.
2019
Apple Safari blocks 3PC
ITP (Intelligent Tracking Prevention) caps first-party cookies at 7 days. Safari users — a significant portion of Energy-provider's audience — now operating without 3PC.
2020
Apple iOS 14 phases out IDFA
ATT framework introduced. Users can now opt out of mobile tracking entirely — reducing Energy-provider's targetable app audience significantly.
2024
Google Chrome & Edge · Final 3PC Deprecation
The last major browsers to end 3PC support. $32M in Energy-provider Paid Media spend at risk. Companies without first-party data strategies and privacy-compliant tech stacks will face severe performance degradation.
40%
Visitors from 3PC-blocking browsers
40% of total visitors in key markets are driven by browsers which block 3PC — before any consent is even requested.
30%
Opt-in rate on Energy-provider website
The current opt-in rate leaves 70% of consented sessions without 3PC. Combined with browser blocking, only 20% of traffic is trackable.
20%
Total traffic trackable via 3PC
The combined effect of browser blocking and low consent rates means 80% of traffic is already lost for paid media measurement.
$32M
Paid Media dollars at risk
13%–82% of total applicable spend in Programmatic, Social and Search is at risk depending on Google's Privacy Sandbox implementation.
02
Opportunities · Value / Maturity Matrix

Six Strategic Opportunities

Prioritised by business value and MarTech maturity. The combined value at risk across all six opportunity areas exceeds $94M.

Priority 1
$70M value at risk
Consent Management Platform
CMP
Currently consent is stored on the user's browser — not stored anywhere by Energy-provider. Customers can't opt out in the app; they have to email CSC. Consent rate is 20%. Integrating a CMP could double the consent rate to 40%+, unlocking significant paid media activation.
OneTrust TrustArc UserCentrics Osano
Priority 2
$8M value at risk
Event Streams · Server-Side
CAPI · S2S Collection
Server-side enablement gives Energy-provider better control of data capture, storage, encryption and transfer to advertising tools. Reduces loss from 3PC deprecation from 80% down to 30% by collecting data server-side — bypassing browser restrictions entirely.
Tealium ✓ WIP DV360 ✓ In use
Priority 3
$2M value at risk
Google Analytics 4
GA4 · Led by Corporate
GA4 Enterprise is a GDPR-compliant, cross-device and browser solution. With Google Universal Analytics sunsetting, Energy-provider will lose the capability to track visitor analytics until GA4 is fully operational. Critical migration that directly impacts measurement.
GA4 ✓ WIP Adobe Analytics ✓ In use
Priority 4
$3M value at risk
Audience Streams · CDP
Customer Data Platform
Current Energy-provider MarTech is primarily Adobe Audience Manager which may not be fit for purpose. Opportunity to move to a CDP that provides equivalent functionality at cheaper TCO — with real-time visitor enrichment, segmentation, cross-device stitching and audience activation.
LiveRamp Tealium Treasure Data Infosum
Priority 5
$3M value at risk
Data Clean Rooms
DCR · Data Collaboration
Data Clean Rooms allow Energy-provider to integrate and share first-party data with varied partners and provide a way to track and measure ad impacts even without 3PC — reducing reliance on Walled Gardens (Meta, Google, Amazon). Allows identification of cohorts for paid media targeting.
Infosum ✓ Pilot AMC ✓ Pilot Habu/Snowflake
Priority 6
$8M value at risk
Identity Resolution
Cookieless ID
Energy-provider's ECID is a 3PC-based identifier with limited lifespan. Many device manufacturers including Apple and Google are removing the ability to share unique device identifiers (GAID). Integrating an ID Resolution platform creates a common identifier across platforms for persistent tracking.
LiveRamp Tealium Amperity Listrak
03
Risk Assessment · Targeting / Measurement / Optimisation

Impact of 3PC Loss

Privacy-led technology and audience solutions are required to mitigate against the impact of 3PC loss across three critical paid media functions.

Targeting
13–82%

of total applicable spend up to $32M at risk. 13% directly dependent on 3PC. Up to 82% dependent on platform-owned 2P audiences pending Google Privacy Sandbox launch.

Solutions
Data Clean Rooms
Deterministic & Probabilistic Alternative IDs
Advanced Modelled Data: Predictive, Contextual
Cohort-Based Targeting
Measurement
80%

of total traffic already not available for marketing purposes. Due to Safari limitations and current opt-in rates, Energy-provider can only measure 20% of total users. GA Universal Analytics sunset compounds this further.

Solutions
GA4 & Tealium Event Streams
Consent Management Systems
Data Clean Rooms
Identity Resolution
Optimisation
Low Direct

Retargeting and re-engagement spend is too low to take into consideration as direct 3PC risk. However, key projects CCX and TAC have long-term roadmap dependencies on optimisation capabilities.

Mitigation
Server-Side Event Collection (CAPI)
First-Party Signal Enrichment
Consent-Driven Audience Activation
CDP Audience Segmentation
04
Architecture · Current State vs Future State

AdTech Stack Evolution

Energy-provider's AdTech architecture is evolving from a fragmented Adobe-centric stack to a privacy-first, server-side, first-party data infrastructure designed for the cookieless era.

Current State
2023 · As-Is
Adobe Audience Manager (AAM / AEP)Primary DMP/CDP — ageing platform, potential TCO optimisation opportunity
Adobe Launch (Tag Management)Client-side tag deployment — impacted by browser 3PC blocking
Evidon (Consent — legacy)Being evaluated for replacement; not fit for current regulatory requirements
Client-side data collection only80% of cookie-based traffic already unavailable; no server-side fallback
Adobe Analytics + GA UniversalGA Universal sunsetting — active gap in analytics capability
No Data Clean RoomFull reliance on Walled Gardens — Meta, Google, Amazon
ECID (3PC-based identifier)Limited lifespan; will not survive 3PC deprecation
Consent stored in browser onlyEnergy-provider has no visibility into consent data; 20% opt-in rate
Future State
Target · Post-2024
CDP (Audience Streams via Tealium or LiveRamp)Visitor enrichment, segmentation, cross-device stitching, real-time action platform
Tealium (Tag & Event Stream Management)Server-side data collection — bypasses browser blocking; already WIP
OneTrust / TIQ (Consent Management Platform)Doubles consent rate; stores consent server-side; app opt-out in-product
Server-Side API Event Collection (CAPI)Reduces 3PC data loss from 80% to 30%; direct connection to ad platforms
GA4 Enterprise (GDPR-compliant cross-device)Regional EU collection servers; IP discarding; encrypted data transmission
Data Clean Rooms (Infosum, AMC, Habu)Pilots planned — enables measurement without 3PC; reduces Walled Garden reliance
Identity Resolution (LiveRamp, Tealium)Common identifier across platforms; persistent cross-device profile stitching
LMA Onboarding: 6Sense, Madison Logic, StichBrought onto Energy-provider IT support; governed and integrated into architecture
05
Media Impact · UK SVP MMM

Media Value at Stake

Extrapolating from UK SVP Marketing Mix Modelling data to the global digital media picture reveals a significant potential margin uplift from effective digital media investment.

2.21
SVP ROI for Digital Media Campaigns
SVP margin uplift as a result of digital media campaigns only. CR margins will be higher once CR MMM models are developed for UK.
$220M
Potential Margin Uplift (Global)
Assuming 50% of global $200M media spend goes to digital media with Energy-provider's benchmark ROI of 1.2× — the potential margin uplift is $220M.
$3.6M
OP23 Investment Plan Requested
OP23 plan aligned between Paid Media & IT. Awaiting confirmation on 2024 funding. In parallel, up to $3.2M in TCO savings opportunity identified.
06
Recommendations / Next Steps

Four Actions to Take Now

Prioritised actions aligned between IT, Business and SOM to protect Energy-provider's paid media investment and build a privacy-first AdTech infrastructure.

Step 01 · Immediate
Secure 2024 Budget
OP23 plan has been created and aligned between stakeholders. In total, Paid Media's OP23 plan is requesting up to $3.6M for the next year's programme of work. Awaiting confirmation on funding. Without budget confirmation, solutions remain in assessment and the 3PC cliff edge approaches unmitigated.
Owner: IDTM (Rami) · Paid Media SME: Hitesh · IT Product Mgr: Hasan
Step 02 · Q3 2023
Solution Assessment
Pending budget confirmation, multiple priorities need detailed assessment before implementation. Assessments require detailed review and alignment with IT Product Teams and Architecture. Six workstreams: CMP selection, Data Collection platform, Analytics (GA4), Data Clean Rooms, Identity Resolution / CDP, and LMA onboarding.
Owner: Hitesh, Samrat, Fernanda (SOM) · IT Architect: Samrat
Step 03 · Q4 2023–2024
Implementation
Once solutions are agreed and aligned between IT, Business and SOM, initiate projects to implement. Priority order: CMP → Event Streams (CAPI) → GA4 → Data Clean Rooms → Identity Resolution → CDP. Onboard high-risk LMAs to Energy-provider IT support: 6Sense, Madison Logic, Stich.
Owner: IT PM (TBD per project)
Step 04 · Parallel Track
Assess TCO Opportunities
In parallel with evaluating new solutions, assess the existing MarTech stack for duplication and opportunities to reduce TCO. Adobe Audience Manager is the primary opportunity. Potential savings of up to $3.2M — offsetting a significant portion of the new investment required. Evaluate COTS alternatives providing similar or enhanced functionality.
Owner: IDTM (Rami) · IT Architect: Samrat
07
Solutions Landscape · Evaluated Tools

Platform Landscape

The range of AdTech solutions which Energy-provider has either onboarded or is planning to onboard puts the programme in a strong position. The key ones are Tealium Event Streams (WIP), GA4 Enterprise (WIP), Data Clean Rooms (WIP — Infosum & AMC pilots planned), Consent Management Systems, and Identity Resolution.

CMP
Consent Management
  • OneTrust
  • CookieYes
  • Osano
  • UserCentrics
  • Quantcast Choice
Data Collection
Event Streams & Server-Side
  • Google DV360 In use
  • Tealium
  • Madison Logic LMA
  • 6Sense LMA
  • LiveRamp
  • Ad.Lib
  • Treasure Data CDP
ID Resolution
Identity & Profile Stitching
  • LiveRamp
  • Treasure Data CDP
  • Amperity
  • Listrak
  • Tealium
  • Infosum
Compliance / DCR
Data Clean Rooms
  • Infosum Pilot
  • Amazon Marketing Cloud Pilot
  • Snowflake / Habu
  • LiveRamp
  • Disney (DCR)
Analytics
Measurement & Attribution
  • Google Analytics 4 LMA/WIP
  • Kochava In use
  • Adobe Analytics In use
Media Partners
Agency & Activation
  • EssenceMediacom In use
  • Merkle In use
  • Sprinklr In use
  • Smartly.io
  • 6Sense Onboarding
  • Madison Logic Onboarding
08
MarTech Architecture · Full Stack Diagram

MarTech Excellence Architecture

End-to-end view of Energy-provider's paid media technology stack — from customer data signals through to ad platform activation. Mapped across current state, work-in-progress, and planned future state initiatives.

Customer Signals
Live 🌐
Energy-provider Web
chase.co.uk · Browser interactions · Adobe Launch tag container
Live 📱
Energy-provider App
iOS + Android · Go+ Loyalty App · Mobile SDK interactions
Live 🏪
POS / POI
Point of Sale · Point of Interest · Physical channel data
Live 👤
CRM
Customer relationship data · Loyalty programme profiles · SSO / Offer ID
Live 🤝
AMC + Partnerships
Amazon Marketing Cloud · Partner data feeds · Retail media signals
↓ RAW EVENT STREAMS ↓
Consent Gate
WIP 🔐
Consent Management Platform
OneTrust / TIQ · Stores consent server-side · In-app opt-out · Target: 40% opt-in rate (vs current 20%)
WIP 🏷️
Tag & Event Management · Tealium
Client-side SDK (Web + App) · Server-side CAPI container · Replaces Adobe Launch · Reduces 3PC loss from 80% → 30%
Risk ⚠️
Evidon (Legacy)
Current CMP · Not fit for purpose · Replacement in evaluation
↓ CONSENTED + SERVER-SIDE EVENTS ↓
Analytics
WIP 📊
GA4 Enterprise
GDPR-compliant · Regional EU servers · IP discarding · Cross-device · Replaces Universal Analytics
Live 🔬
Adobe Analytics
AEP · 1P pixel (fires regardless of opt-in) · Short-term mitigation against UA sunset
Live 📍
Kochava MMP
Mobile attribution · SKAN 4.0 · iOS + Android · App-to-web journey attribution · Already deployed globally
Live 🎯
Adobe AEP
Audience Manager · Real-time CDP (limited activation) · Content personalisation triggers
↓ ENRICHED PROFILES + AUDIENCE SEGMENTS ↓
Identity & CDP
Planned 🔗
Identity Resolution
LiveRamp / Tealium · Replaces ECID (3PC-based) · Common cross-platform ID · Persistent profile stitching across devices
Planned 🧠
Customer Data Platform
Audience Streams · Cross-device visitor stitching · Real-time segmentation · Replaces AAM · Extends 1P data across full journey
Planned 🏛️
Data Clean Rooms
Infosum · AMC · Habu/Snowflake · Privacy-safe data collaboration · Measurement without 3PC
Live ☁️
Azure Data Lake
Adobe Campaign · CCX · LOD · CRM & Loyalty data · First and third party datasets
↓ VALIDATED · DEDUPLICATED · CONSENTED AUDIENCES ↓
Activation
Live 📺
Display · DV360
Programmatic · Google Display Network · DV360 already in use at Energy-provider
Live 📘
Social · Meta CAPI
Facebook · Instagram · Server-side CAPI event integration · TikTok CAPI
Live 🔍
Search · GMP
Google Ads · Google Marketing Platform · Search campaign optimisation
Live
Smartly.io · DCO
Dynamic Creative Optimisation · Automated creative personalisation · Cross-channel
Planned 🏢
B2B · LMAs
6Sense · Madison Logic · Onboarding to Energy-provider IT support · Account-based targeting
↓ CAMPAIGN SIGNALS → MEASUREMENT LOOP ↓
Owned + CRM
Live 📧
Email · Adobe Campaign
ACS / ACC · Triggered email comms · Opt-in required for CRM
Live 🔔
Push · Urban Airship
App push notifications · In-app messages · IDFA-dependent — risk from ATT opt-outs
Live 💬
Messaging · Sinch
SMS · Line · Viber · WhatsApp · Multi-channel messaging platform
Live 🎯
Personalisation · Adobe Target
Website personalisation · A/B testing · ODE Offers engine · AEP orchestration
Live 📈
Agency Partners
EssenceMediacom · Merkle · Sprinklr · DSP + Ad Exchange + Publisher management
Live / In Production
Work In Progress (WIP)
Planned / In Evaluation
At Risk / Legacy
Source: Energy-provider Paid Media IT Strategy — July 2023
08b
Full MarTech Stack · Investment Register

Technology Stack

Complete inventory of Energy-provider's paid media technology platforms — mapped by function, deployment status, and strategic priority.

Consent & Privacy
OneTrust / TIQ
WIP
Evidon
Legacy
TrustArc
Eval
UserCentrics
Eval
Quantcast Choice
Eval
Data Collection
Tealium Event Streams
WIP
Adobe Launch
Live
Google DV360
Live
Meta CAPI
WIP
Madison Logic
LMA
6Sense
LMA
Analytics
Adobe Analytics (AEP)
Live
Google Analytics 4
WIP
Kochava MMP
Live
GA Universal
Sunset
Adobe Audience Mgr
Review
Amazon Marketing Cloud
Pilot
Identity & CDP
LiveRamp
Planned
Tealium AudienceStream
WIP
Treasure Data CDP
Eval
Infosum DCR
Pilot
Habu / Snowflake
Eval
ECID (Legacy)
Risk
Activation
Adobe Campaign (ACS)
Live
Smartly.io (DCO)
Live
Urban Airship
Live
Adobe Target
Live
Sinch (SMS/Msg)
Live
EssenceMediacom
Live
Opportunities · Value / Maturity Matrix — Priority Map
↑ Business Value
P1
High Value · Low Maturity
Consent Management Platform
$70M
P2
High Value · Mid Maturity
Event Streams · CAPI
$8M
P3
High Value · High Maturity
Google Analytics 4
$2M
P4
Mid Value · Low Maturity
Audience Streams · CDP
$3M
P5
Mid Value · Mid Maturity
Data Clean Rooms
$3M
P6
Mid Value · High Maturity
Identity Resolution
$8M
MarTech Maturity →