Behind the Numbers: an EMARKETER Podcast artwork

The Ad Dollar–Attention Gap: Social Media, Subscription OTT, and Digital Audio | Behind the Numbers

Behind the Numbers: an EMARKETER Podcast · with Ethan Cramer-Flood and Oscar Orozco · July 31, 2026 · 28 min

Summary

This episode uncovers the critical "Ad Dollar-Attention Gap," revealing where advertisers' spending diverges from consumer attention across social media, subscription OTT, and digital audio. It provides ecommerce operators with a data-driven understanding of undervalued advertising channels and strategies to optimize media spend for maximum reach and engagement in an evolving digital landscape.

Key takeaways

Themes

paid acquisitionanalytics & attribution

Topics covered

ad dollar-attention gapsocial media advertising trendssubscription ott advertisingdigital audio advertisingmedia mix optimizationad spend forecastingcross-platform measurement

Episode description

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the biggest gaps between where Americans spend their time and where advertisers spend their money. We explore the disconnect in social media, the imbalance in subscription OTT, and why digital audio continues to be a dark horse. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Principal Forecasting Writer Ethan Cramer-Flood and Senior Director of Forecasting Oscar Orozco. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/ For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.comFor more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com Get more insights like these with our free, industry-leading newsletters covering advertising, marketing, and commerce. Sign up at emarketer.com/newsletters Purchase tickets and register for EMARKETER's The Future of Digital 2026 Summit here: https://www.emarketer.com/events/summit/2026-future-of-digital/?utm_source=events_page Report mentioned in episode: https://www.emarketer.com/content/us-ad-spending-vs-time-spent-2026?_gl=1 For a transcript of this episode click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-ad-dollar-attention-gap-social-media-subscription-ott-digital-audio-behind-numbers © 2026 EMARKETER

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Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about paid acquisition?
Identify undervalued advertising channels like digital audio, which offers high potential reach and engagement despite lower current ad spend compared to social media and OTT.
What does this episode say about analytics & attribution?
Re-evaluate social media ad spend, understanding the potential gap between perceived value and actual ad investment, and optimize for platforms where audience attention is genuinely high and engaged.
What does this episode say about paid acquisition?
Explore ad-supported tiers within subscription OTT services as a growing opportunity to reach audiences shifting away from traditional TV, balancing attention with available ad inventory.
What does this episode say about paid acquisition?
Align your media mix with current consumer behavior by leveraging data on time spent versus ad spend to ensure your marketing dollars are invested where your target audience is most attentive.
What does this episode say about paid acquisition?
Develop a robust measurement and attribution strategy to accurately track ROI across diverse digital touchpoints, including social, OTT, and digital audio, to inform future budget allocations.

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