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The Reality of Sports Ad Buying: Programmatic, Direct IO, & Cross-Platform Reach

June 24, 20261:36

Ever wonder how major sports advertising deals actually happen behind the scenes? Hint: It’s not all automated yet. In this clip, Seth Mittman, VP of Integrated Sales at Ampersand, pulls back the curtain on the current reality of sports ad transactions. While programmatic buying is growing at scale, the "meat" of live sports advertising still relies heavily on Direct IO (Insertion Orders). Discover why live sports command premium CPMs, how to navigate inventory limitations without upfront guarantees, and why a cross-platform strategy (combining linear cable and live streaming) is the ultimate way to ensure your brand doesn't miss key audiences.