TORONTO, Oct. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Horizon Media, one of Canada's leading media companies, has launched a state-of-the-art proprietary audience framework and data ecosystem called blu. This transformative platform promises unparalleled insights and capabilities for marketers to deliver highly personalized experiences while ensuring transparency and respecting user privacy.
Younger Canadians are more receptive to personalized ads than older generations, and they are more likely to engage with brands online after seeing a personalized ad according to survey research* conducted by Horizon. The data shows that 56 per cent of younger Canadians prefer personalized over traditional advertising. Additionally, 45 per cent of younger Canadians are likely to engage with a brand online after seeing a personalized ad, compared to only 18 per cent for traditional ads. Nearly half of Gen Z and Millennials also said they would provide more personal information if there were incentives or rewards to do so.
"blu. was conceptualized to address the evolving needs of marketers and consumers alike," said Kevin Kivi, General Manager of Horizon Canada. "Our recognition of marketers' need to differentiate themselves, coupled with consumers' expectations of personalized experiences, drove the development of blu. This platform embodies our commitment to transparency and user empowerment.”
blu. offers a holistic view of Canadians throughout the entire advertising process, encompassing target development, insights generation, media planning, activation, and measurement. Its unique ability to connect seamlessly with brands' first-party data and media owners' data opens new possibilities for targeted campaigns, media plan optimization, and advanced measurement.
"blu. represents a major leap forward in the Canadian data-driven marketing landscape," said Caroline Bergeron, Horizon's Senior Vice President of Data & Digital Solutions. "Our comprehensive profiles of over 25 million adult Canadians, coupled with deterministic attributes such as demographic and household information, purchase habits, and affinities, provide unparalleled granularity for precise targeting. Additionally, our data vaults and clean room integrations ensure the utmost privacy and safeguarding of client data, while still enabling partner enhancement and measurement."
This is the first step in Horizon Media’s global expansion of its blu. capabilities. Horizon Media first launched blu. in the United States in January of 2020 to overcome the industry’s overreliance on third-party data and third-party technology assets. blu. is built on a spine of deterministic data from more than 280 million Americans which can be enhanced with client first party data. Today, across North America, Horizon Media offers a suite of Solutions and Services powered by its Connected Marketing Platform, blu. At the core, blu. supports data informed strategy and media storytelling as well as audience development, activation and measurement.
The blu. platform is driven by a team of experts in data solutions and marketing science, offering custom modeling, data strategy, and tech consulting to deliver unparalleled results. It cultivates meaningful personal connections across the entire funnel, harnessing behavioural data to pinpoint high-potential individuals who align with clients' growth objectives.
Key features of blu. include:
- Identity Framework & Audience Platform: Connect seamlessly with Horizon's suite of planning, activation, and measurement tools, delivering personalization at scale.
- Integrated Personalization Strategy: Customized to encompass behaviours, drivers, community engagement, and shopping inclinations across brand representation, online retail, customer relationship management (CRM), and collaborative branding initiatives.
- Feedback Loops: Empowering ongoing optimization of audiences, tactics, and investment allocation for sustained campaign success.
- Built for the Cookieless World: Anticipating and adapting to changes in the digital advertising landscape, ensuring continued effectiveness.
"We are excited about the possibilities blu. brings to the table," said Kivi. "With its advanced capabilities and commitment to privacy and personalization, blu. will empower marketers to forge deeper connections with their high-value customers, driving brand loyalty and business growth."
For more information on blu. in Canada, please visit https://horizon-media.ca/
* Methodology
The survey was created by Horizon Media Canada’s Strategy & Insights group, using its Finger on the Pulse research methodology. More than 300 Canadians nationwide were surveyed from October 11th to October 16th, 2023, for Canadians views on personalized advertising and perceptions on data usage. The survey leveraged Horizon Media Canada’s proprietary research methodology.
Horizon Media
Horizon Media, Inc, the largest independent media agency in North America, delivers data-driven business outcomes for some of the world’s most innovative and ambitious brands. Founded in 1989, headquartered in New York, and with offices in Los Angeles, Toronto, and Edmonton, the company employs 2,400 people and has media investments of more than $9.5 billion. Horizon Media's fundamental belief is that business is personal, which drives its approach to connecting brands with their customers and engaging with its own employees resulting in industry-leading workplace satisfaction levels (Glassdoor). The company is consistently recognized by independent media outlets for its client excellence and has earned several "Best Workplaces" awards reflecting its commitment to DEI and the life and well-being of everyone at Horizon Media.
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SELECT Public Relations
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