Behind the Numbers: an EMARKETER Podcast artwork

Why Advertisers Are Buying Moments, Not Media | Behind the Numbers

Behind the Numbers: an EMARKETER Podcast · with Callum Donnelly · June 29, 2026 · 24 min

Summary

This episode reveals how top advertisers are moving beyond traditional media buys to focus on "buying moments," specifically the high-intent period immediately following a customer transaction. Learn how to leverage AI and data to identify these critical consumer moments, personalize offers, and drive significant incremental value for your ecommerce business by understanding shopper behavior when they are most receptive.

Key takeaways

Themes

paid acquisitionai & automationconversion & crocustomer retention

Topics covered

transaction moment marketingpost-purchase advertisingai in advertisingintent-based marketingpersonalization at scaleseasonal marketing strategies

Episode description

In today's podcast episode, we discuss how consumer intent changes throughout the year, what actually happens to shoppers in the seconds after they complete a transaction, and what marketing looks like when you're buying a moment rather than media. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Principal Analyst Sky Canaves, and Senior Vice President of Strategic Key Accounts at Rokt, Callum Donnelly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube or Spotify. DECK SUBSECTION: Subscribe to EMARKETER's newsletters. Go to https://www.emarketer.com/newsletters Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/ For sponsorship opportunities, contact us: advertising@emarketer.com For more information, visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/ Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com For a transcript of this episode, click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-why-advertisers-buying-moments-not-media-behind-numbers © 2026 EMARKETER Rokt is the global leader in ecommerce, unlocking real-time relevance in the Transaction Moment. Rokt's AI Brain and Ecommerce Network help the world’s leading companies deliver more relevant customer experiences and unlock incremental value from every transaction. Learn more at rokt.com.

Related episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about paid acquisition?
Focus marketing efforts on the 'transaction moment' – the critical seconds after a customer completes a purchase – as this is when consumer intent is highest and they are most receptive to new offers.
What does this episode say about ai & automation?
Utilize AI and data analytics to identify and understand specific high-intent moments in the customer journey beyond just the post-purchase phase, such as seasonal shifts in consumer behavior.
What does this episode say about conversion & cro?
Implement personalized offers and experiences during these identified high-intent moments to maximize conversion and customer lifetime value, rather than relying on broad media campaigns.
What does this episode say about customer retention?
Explore technologies like Rokt's AI Brain and Ecommerce Network to facilitate real-time relevance and capitalize on the "transaction moment" by delivering targeted offers that unlock incremental value.
What does this episode say about paid acquisition?
Shift measurement strategies from traditional media metrics (impressions, reach) to metrics that reflect the effectiveness of moment-based marketing, such as incremental revenue generated from post-purchase offers.

Listen