A new study from The 614 Group has analyzed the impact of the Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG)’s efforts on addressing fraud in the digital advertising supply chain.
Moreover, the level of fraud was lower by more than 83 percent compared to the industry average. The study looked at more than 6.5 billion display and video impressions in campaigns run through TAG Certified channels by three major media agencies: GroupM, IPG/Mediabrands and Horizon Media. Analyses by verification technology providers have found the levels of Invalid Traffic (IVT) in digital advertising average 8.83 percent for display inventory in North America (and rise to 12.03 percent when video inventory is included).
The Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) is the leading global certification program fighting criminal activity and increasing trust in the digital advertising industry. Created by the industry’s top trade organizations, TAG’s mission is to eliminate fraudulent traffic, combat malware, prevent Internet piracy, and promote greater transparency in digital advertising. TAG advances those initiatives by bringing companies across the digital advertising supply chain together to set the highest standards. TAG is the first and only registered Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (ISAO) for the digital advertising industry.
Source: Campaign UK
The 614 Group examined comparable rates of fraud for campaigns run through TAG Certified Channels in which multiple entities involved in the transaction – such as the media agency, buy-side platform, sell-side platform and/or publisher – had achieved the TAG Certified Against Fraud Seal.
“This study validates TAG’s approach and sets a clear path for marketers that want to protect their brands and ad spend from fraud,” said Mike Zaneis, President and CEO of TAG.“Fraud thrives in the dark crevices of the supply chain, so we knew that we had to get the legitimate participants in the supply chain to adopt the same high standards for this effort to be successful. When the industry links its arms and stands together, there is no place left for the criminals to hide.”
“The 614 Group have been leaders in promoting brand safety best practices and supporting the creation of standards and guidelines. Fraud has proven to be one of the most intractable issues in this area over the years,” said Rob Rasko, Managing Partner of The 614 Group. “We are pleased to release this groundbreaking research on the impact of TAG’s efforts to address the IVT challenge, and we believe the quantitative data combined with the timely first-hand analysis from the agency leaders who deal with fraud on a daily basis offer compelling insights on the impact of the TAG program.”
“The results of this study are extraordinary and demonstrate that the ‘war on fraud’ is winnable,” said Bob Liodice, CEO of the Association of National Advertisers. “Marketers must recognize that fraud, piracy and malware rob brands of their business building power. By joining and working with TAG — and its demonstrated process for success — brands can energize their marketing investments and elevate their potential for growth. I encourage all marketers and the entire community to engage this effective fraud fighting institution.”
“Fighting digital ad fraud is a centerpiece of the IAB’s and IAB Tech Lab’s work, and we are delighted that those efforts are paying dividends,” said Randall Rothenberg, President and CEO, Interactive Advertising Bureau. “By making TAG Registration mandatory for all IAB members and collaborating with TAG on our technical standards, we are assuring that the highest anti-fraud standards are extended across the industry, so advertisers will know that their money is well spent.”
