Sports Thread Ad Network: Using Epom DSP + Ad Server Combo to Get 35% Growth in Average Client Ad Spend

The Sports Thread Ad network used Epom DSP and Ad Server solutions to maximize the effectiveness of their campaigns, open growth opportunities, and improve reporting quality.

In this case study, we’re showing how Epom’s in-depth reporting, platform customization, advanced targeting, and constant tech support led to 35% higher average ad spends, a 15% reduction in churn rates, and a 40% better reach.

Hop on!

The Sports Thread Advertising Network is an arm of Sports Thread Inc., a social networking platform and SaaS suite serving youth and amateur sports organizations.

Having worked with dozens of successful advertisers, Sports Thread became one of the fastest growing ad networks in the vertical. The speed of growth, however, was heavily limited by their previous ad solution, so they decided to partner with Epom.

The mission was clear: to break free from the shackles of their old ways and attract the stream of high-valued clients that Sports Thread truly deserved.

Chapter 1: The Ambitions on a Handbrake

The obstacles to growth were clear as well. Improving Sports Thread’s reach with their previous ad solutions was similar to pulling a boat on an anchor. Specifically, two problems made themselves most distinct:

• Limitations on the supply side Sports Thread Advertising Network was limited to its own mobile application, and a collection of partner publisher sites monetized through Google AdSense.
• Dissatisfaction on the demand side Most ad campaign options provided a poor amount of features and didn’t allow for any platform customization while lacking advanced reporting options.

Luckily, solving both of these is what Epom specializes in, so it didn’t take long until one of our clients advised Sports Thread to try our software.

Chapter 2: Epom Enters the Stage

When Sports Thread started partnering with Epom, the latter knew that the whole strategy had to be reworked. Luckily, Sports Thread had clear-cut and realistic expectations, while Epom had all the right software to fulfill them.

Step # 1. DSP + Ad Server = Solution to Rule them All

Usually, ad networks choose either a WL DSP or an ad server to save costs. Sports Thread didn’t want to settle on compromises. By utilizing the combo of both Epom’s top-tier products, they used the WL DSP to cover the demand side, and ad server as an SSP to cover the supply side.

Step # 2. Platform Customization for Complete Freedom

When you work with high-tier advertisers, like Sports Thread does, it is important to listen to their every wish. In this case, customization provided by Epom’s products became one of Sports Thread’s main selling points.

The company’s advertisers liked UI, logo and platform colors customization a lot. Unexpectedly, the freedom to change their platform however they like, increased their engagement with the platform and, as a result, their ad spend by about 35%.

Step # 3. In-depth Reporting

Another major complaint from Sports Thread’s clients was either lack/poor quality of reporting. With Epom, things have changed. 30+ ad metrics, real-time analytics (including mobile, video, and conversion tracking) and intuitive UI has made all of the above much easier to work with.

Step # 4. Not Just Tools, but Full Spectrum Support

As cliche as it may sound, Epom is about the human experience first and the product – second. The team accompanied Sports Thread on every step of the way, helping them plan and implement advertising goals and explaining how to interact with the product.

Chapter 3: Triumphs in Numbers

The partnership between Sports Thread and Epom has met and beat the expectations:

1. Reach expansion: The most notable fruit of the collaboration was fulfilling Sports Thread’s main priority – wider reach by 40%. Expanding their network helped greatly increase their range of publisher partners and thus the amount and quality of traffic.
2. Churn Rates Fading Away: Better product = better campaigns = more satisfied users with higher retention. The churn rates dropped about 15% which is massive, if you take the account Sports Thread’s ad network size.
3. Client Spend Growth: Wide customization and advanced analytics didn’t come unnoticed. Sports Thread’s clients were much more satisfied with the provided software, resulting in a 35% higher average client spend.
4. Task Management Acceleration: The least expected, but one of the most important result of the collaboration was how quickly Sports Thread employees were able to close the advertising tasks. While hard to measure correctly, the task completion rates are now faster by about 15 to 20%.

Chapter 4: The Bottom Line

Sports Thread is satisfied with how their partnership with Epom worked out. Both sides continue collaborating to achieve even greater feats in the future.

What should you make out of this?

• Don’t be limited by your current solution, even if you’re used to it;
• Customization and reporting do matter in very unexpected ways;
• Business is business, but staying human is beneficial for both sides.