Hotspex Media Team

We’re excited to introduce Jesse Frankling, our new Engineering Manager, who brings a passion for people-first tech, scalable systems, and thoughtful leadership to the table. Keep reading to learn more about Jesse’s journey, what excites him most about the role, and his advice for anyone looking to break into the world of engineering and digital media.

It’s no secret that consumers are growing increasingly wary of personalized advertising. More and more consumers are voicing discomfort with the way digital ads follow them around online. They're asking for more control, less tracking, and better transparency. Advertisers are looking for smarter ways to drive results without undermining trust. Reticle is already there.

As industries face rising costs and uncertain economic conditions, many businesses are looking at cutting back their advertising spend. Retail, consumer electronics, media, and automotive are among the industries expecting ad spend reductions due to tariffs and shifting market dynamics. At Hotspex Media, we believe in making every dollar work harder—especially during these uncertain times. We focus on optimizing your media spend to ensure maximum impact.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept. It is rapidly becoming a core part of how businesses operate. With more players in the industry formally announcing AI working groups and major investments, the spotlight is now on how media agencies can harness this technology not just to keep pace, but to lead.At Hotspex Media, we’ve been building with AI in mind for years.

March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements of women and reflect on the strides we continue to make toward equality. This year’s theme, "Moving Forward Together," highlights women who are educating and inspiring the next generations. In honour of Women's History Month, we’re spotlighting a few of these amazing women and sharing their advice for those interested in exploring similar passions, side gigs, or creative projects.

As tariffs between the USA and Canada escalate, we’re seeing ripples across industries, forcing brands to reconsider their strategies. While it’s understandable to want to cut back in times of economic uncertainty, doing so—particularly in advertising—can be a costly mistake. 

Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to celebrate love, and brands like Barilla are taking advantage of the occasion with their Limited Edition Barilla Love Pasta. While these seasonal offerings are fun and create excitement, they also highlight an important truth: brand love shouldn’t be limited to just one day or one campaign.

The Super Bowl is more than just a football game—it’s a cultural event that merges sports, entertainment, and marketing on an unparalleled scale. With over 123 million viewers in 2024, it was one of the most-watched television events in history, second only to the Apollo moon landing. This makes the Super Bowl a prime opportunity for brands to captivate audiences and drive engagement. How can brands made the most of it? 

As the industry evolves, we remain dedicated to being a trusted partner, helping you adapt to new challenges and seize emerging opportunities. Whether you’re looking for fresh perspectives or reliable support, we’re here to provide the expertise and flexibility that help your brand succeed in an ever-changing market.

Josh Rosen, Hotspex Media President, recently joined Aimee Newell Tarín and Mat Broughton on an episode of ExchangeWire’s MadTech Podcast to discuss the latest developments in media, marketing, and ad tech.

We’re proud to announce that Hotspex Media has been recognized as a 2024 Canada’s Most Admired™ Corporate Cultures Award winner in the Growth category! 

On August 9, the World Federation of Advertisers announced the discontinuation of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), a crucial initiative aimed at monitoring brand safety in digital advertising.‍In response to this significant change, our President Josh Rosen shared his thoughts with Forbes, emphasizing the need for brands to adapt to the evolving landscape of digital advertising.

Amazon Ads is revolutionizing how brands can connect with consumers on its Prime Video platform through the introduction of new interactive and shoppable ad formats. Set to roll out over the next year, these features will allow viewers to engage with ads in real-time, browse products, and even add items to their Amazon cart—all from the comfort of their living room. By merging upper-funnel TV ads with lower-funnel shopping outcomes, these formats are poised to transform traditional ad breaks into fully immersive, shoppable experiences.

Recent events have brought brand safety into the spotlight, revealing how easily ads can end up in unexpected or unsuitable places. At Hotspex Media, we understand that effective brand safety is crucial for successful digital advertising. As a leading digital media buying service provider, we prioritize ensuring your ads are strategically placed and aligned with your brand's values.

This summer, Mucho Burrito, a beloved Mexican fast food chain, launched its "Love Mucho" campaign, aiming to forge deeper emotional connections with its audience. The driving force behind this campaign? Hotspex Media's innovative tool, Reticle AI.

Hotspex President Josh Rosen was recently featured on the Growth Tales podcast by ConnectCPA, where he had the opportunity to share his insights, challenges, and triumphs on the road to building a successful media empire from the ground up.

Hotspex Media is excited to announce a powerful new capability: GWI Audience Activation for targeted digital campaigns. This collaboration with GWI empowers us to sharpen our targeting like never before, enabling us to reach audiences with unparalleled precision.

Tune in to InspiredInsider podcast as Hotspex's President, Josh Rosen, sits down with Dr. Jeremy Weisz to explore the dynamic world of digital advertising! 

Josh Rosen, President and CEO at Hotspex Media shares his comments on the impact of AI on marketing with CMSWire.

As we honour Black History Month, we recognize the continued significance of discussions on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. At Hotspex Media, we had the opportunity to explore the personal story of Sabrina Clarke Duffy, our Senior Vice President.

While flexibility and autonomy may help with productivity and work-life balance, in people-facing roles like sales, being around people can help build comradery and confidence. 

Prioritizing a mobile-friendly design can enhance conversions, safeguard budgets, maintain customer satisfaction, and preserve brand reputation in the digital landscape.

Learn how to optimize ads and maximize ROI with Google's AI-powered ads

In this week's news, advertisers innovate outdoor advertising beyond billboards with ventures like Fortune Cookies and The Sphere, SXM Media amplifies programmatic podcast advertising, and Meta bolsters its brand safety toolkit to provide additional reassurances for ad partners.

In this week's news, TikTok has announced a new music licensing agreement with Warner Music, Google has incorporated Display and Dynamic Search Ads into its AI Performance Max, and PubMatic has made a strategic move into the Commerce Media sector through both acquisitions and divestitures.

In this week's news, Meta sheds light on its advancing AI ad targeting process, yielding improved ad performance; the TV upfronts present notable enhancements to targeting and programmatic strategies, while emphasizing the increasing role of critical data pillars in boosting brands' confidence in CTV.

In this week's news, Telly offers free TV subsidized by advertisers, Google combines AI and ads in search, and retail media with Amazon challenges traditional digital ad channels.

In this week's news, Meta is seeking to incorporate shopping elements into Facebook and Instagram ads, while ad-supported streamers, platforms, and publishers at NewFronts day one are focusing on targeting Gen Z and diverse audiences, and Pinterest has partnered with Amazon to launch a third-party advertising program.

In this week's news, LinkedIn has unveiled new updates for Audience Network Campaigns, the Open Marketplace is bringing democratization to TV advertising, and TikTok's automation push is showcased through their Smart Performance Campaigns in the latest Marketing Briefing.

In this week's news, we explore the latest updates to the IAB Tech Lab's Video Ad Guidelines, the rise of CTV as a powerful branding channel for sports advertisers, and the enduring popularity of TikTok among teenagers despite a slight decline in favorability according to a recent study.

In this week's news, Google has launched an Ads Transparency Center, a two-tiered system is being explored to overcome conflicting agendas in digital advertising, and Meta has rolled out AI-driven brand safety and verification tools, revolutionizing the digital advertising landscape.

In this week's news, stay up-to-date with Amazon DSP 201: The Updated Guide to Understanding Amazon’s Demand-side Platform, witness the rise of mainstream brands in podcast advertising, and explore Instagram's latest updates, including Reminder Ads and Promoted Results in Search.

In this week's news, Spotify is focusing on video advertising as a strategic priority, Pinterest has partnered with Dotdash Meredith to bring nearly 200 original videos to its platform, and Gamers are becoming increasingly comfortable with in-game ads, according to a new report from Comscore.

In this week's news, Meta is introducing messaging engagement features, developing a decentralized social app, while TikTok partners with Dentsu Digital to integrate TikTok's Events API into Dentsu Digital's X-Stack Connect globally.

In This week's News Pinterest Tests New ‘Premiere Spotlight’ Ads on its Search Page, TikTok introduces paywalled content, with videos up to 20 minutes long, and Reddit aims to make New Features Easier to Use.

This week's news brings exciting updates from TikTok as they introduce their new Brand Safety and Suitability Partners. Meanwhile, LinkedIn is expanding its advertising capabilities by adding more ad targeting criteria. Finally, performance agencies are discovering a new revenue stream and acquisition channel through TV, unlocking its potential for growth.

In this week's news, TikTok is testing in-stream shopping options, Meta is offering more clarity on ad targeting through updated panels, and Pinterest has launched Pinterest Academy.

In this week's news, YouTube is rolling out a new feature that allows brands to purchase specific time slots for Masthead Ads during major events. Meanwhile, Google has introduced its own version of a conversational AI system similar to ChatGPT, which could have implications for search engine optimization. In other news, Wendy's is set to become the first company to test shoppable TV ads with Roku and DoorDash.

In This Week's News: Stay Ahead of the Curve with 2023's Disruptive Advertising Predictions, Discover the Growing Financial Buzz on Reddit, and learn how TikTok will Emerge as a Leader in Search Ad Spend.

In This Week's News, Facebook usage is on the rise, while Meta perfects its AI targeting models. Snap launches a marketing campaign highlighting the endless possibilities of AR effects. And, we delve into the impact of TikTok's evolving presence in the US on the social media sphere.

In This Week's News, Meta Updates Terminology for Accounts Reached within Ad Campaigns, Google Ads will no longer support similar audiences, and Ad spending forecast to grow 6% in 2023 as digital priorities shift.

In This Week's News, Meta expands ad targeting restrictions for teens, ad spending on TikTok defies advertising slowdown, and we learn how programmatic ooh can reignite the cross-channel customer journey.

In This Week's News, Meta Launches Live Roll-Out of VRS System to Mitigate Unintended Bias in Ad Exposure, Pinterest and LiveRamp pilot a new clean room solution, and Twitter to Relax Ban on Political Ads.

In This Week's News, LinkedIn Previews New Job and B2B Product Search Choices Coming in 2023, Instagram Chief Outlines Key Areas of Focus for the App in 2023, and Marketers to focus on Gen Z in 2023 with dollars moving to TikTok.

In This Week's News, Disney+ launches its ad-supported tier, we explore new advancements and improvements in programmatic ad buying and targeting, and Amazon rolls out TikTok-like shopping feature.

In This Week's News, LinkedIn Adds New Tools for Company Pages, Including Updated Competitor Analytics, We learn about the power of AI in marketing, and the Podcast Purchase Pipeline.

In This Week's News, Twitch Throws Its Hat Into The Crowded Live Video Shopping Ring, we get briefed on how CTV ad spending grew in Q3 2022, and Twitter Launches New Ad Targeting Options, Including Advanced Website Conversion Optimization.

In This Week's News, Amazon-owned streaming platform Twitch is reviving its Pog Picks livestream shopping event, Snap Highlights the Rising Potential of AR for Marketing in New Report, and Google rolls out new features across Maps, Search and Shopping.

In This Week's News, learn how marketers are winning over audiences with ad-supported streaming, Pinterest launches its collage-making app Shuffles to the general public, and TikTok Launches its First In-App Shops in the US as Part of its Expanded eCommerce Push.

In This Week's News, Pinterest Pitches Itself as the Ultimate Christmas Gift-Discovery Platform in New Campaign, Snap and Amazon partner on AR shopping in the Snapchat app, and A design journey from mobile to TV: YouTube Shorts arrive on the big screen.

In This Week's News, Amazon unveils a suite of new video advertising products, Pinterest Reports Increasing Usage and Revenue in its Latest Performance Update, and Reddit Announces Its First Alpha Partners As Its Builds Its First Marketing API Ecosystem.

Good Morning! In This Week's News, Pinterest Launches New Video Content Approach, Google rolls out ‘My Ad Center’ to let people customize the advertising they see, and Ad Age emphasizes Why Marketing Spend Is Even More Important During A Recession.

In This Week's News, TikTok Announces New Ad Tools and Performance Insights, YouTube Embraces Its Podcasts By Adding 30-Second Audio Ads, and Cognitiondigital.io Releases New Analytics API for Amazon Demand Side Platform.

In This Week's News, Reddit rolls out updates to Ads Manager, Meta Announces New Privacy-Focused Ad Targeting Solutions, Improvements in Automated Targeting, and Instagram Tests Out New Ad Options, Including Explore Placement and Interactive AR Displays.

In This Week's News, Meta rolls out with new ads, New Report Shows that Snapchat Users are More Mentally Engaged with Snap Ads, and LinkedIn Launches ‘Doc Adverts’, Offline Conversion Knowledge Integration, and More.

In This Week's News, Meta Is Investing Big In Business Messaging and Introduces Facebook Reels API, and LinkedIn Shares InMail Best Practices to Help Maximize Your Response Rates.

In This Week's News, Snap Highlights the Value and Opportunities of AR in a New Report, Google Announces Search Insights ‘Search On 2022’ Event, and Roblox Is Testing Dynamic Billboards in the Metaverse With Its New Ad Platform.

In This Week's News, Meta’s Exploring the Potential of Paid Add-On Features for Facebook and Instagram, Reddit Acquires Audience Research Provider ‘Spiketrap’ to Help Evolve its Ad Targeting Tools, and We Learn Why Roku Is Hopping On Shopping.

In This Week's News, New Report Show That Reels are Generating the Most Reach on Instagram, We Learn About the Impact and Rise of Virtual Influencers and Their Role in the Metaverse, and Instacart Partners with Lizzo for the Most Extensive Campaign to Date.

In This Week's News, TikTok Launches New Shopping Ads as it Continues to Push Ahead with its eCommerce Integrations, Google plans new updates to reduce low-quality and unoriginal content in search results, and YouTube’s New Podcasts Platform is Now Live for Some US Customers.

In This Week's News, TikTok is Fast Becoming a Key Search and Discovery Platform for Younger Audiences, We Learn What Gaming Habits Reveal About Media Consumption and Emphasize that The Key To CTV Success Is Putting Your Audience First.

In this Week's News, Google again delays third-party cookie deprecation, Pinterest Users Can Now See How Real-Time Analytics of Their Pins, and Reddit Shares Insights into Usage by Parents and Students.

In this Week's News, we learn the value of brands prioritizing advertising as inflation is on the rise, Meta launches an updated Facebook feed format, and what to expect from Netflix’s ad-supported tier.

In This Week's News, we welcome Instagram's Launch of its New Creator Marketplace, Snapchats Web Debut, and learn about Amazon's use of Private-Label Brands.

In This Weeks News, YouTube Launches Up to date Shorts Analytics, Meta Publishes New Video Planning Guide, and The Hottest Advertising Trends This Summer.

In This Weeks News, a new report highlights why advertisers need to keep spending in a recession, TikTok Tests Dedicated Shopping Feed with Users, and how YouTube’s brewing TikTok rivalry could impact mobile video strategies.

In This Weeks News, Meta’s Developing New Spatial Audio Tools for AR and VR, YouTube Publishes New insights into Key Video Consumption and Twitter Offers Tips For Maximizing Carousel Ads And Posts.

In This Weeks News, a new report highlights TikTok’s Rising Worth for SMBs, Snapchat’s Developing a New ‘Snapchat+’ Subscription Service, and YouTube Shorts tops 1.5B logged-in monthly users.

In This Weeks News LinkedIn adds new engagement options and product listings on profiles, Google offers to let ad rivals place YouTube ads, and Meta, TikTok, Google, and Twitter are all getting ready to signal-on to new misinformation guidelines in Europe.

In This Weeks News, Meta is Developing New Basic Ads, Reddit highlights brand activation on its platform, and Snapchat shares new knowledge on how AR and digital camera advertisements can assist enhance Marketing campaign efficiency.

In This Week's News, Google shares plans around interactivity, Meta releases new API updates, and TikTok extends its Marketing Partner Program

In This Week's News, Amazon & Peacock offer new ad formats, TikTok introduces "Branded Mission", and Spotify expands its Roblox universe.

In This Week's News, Google ads customizable ads debut on search and YouTube, TikTok launches an insights platform, and Google Ads now offers scripts for automated support.

In This Week's News, Spotify launches Spotify Island in Roblox, LinkedIn helps advertisers with Lead From ads, and YouTube begins testing ads on YouTube Shorts.

In This Week's News, We'll explore what Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover means for advertisers, TikTok's new interactive add-ons for ads, and the metaverse's first brick-and-mortar store

In This Week's News, TikTok surpasses Snapchat as the favourite app amongst teens, YouTube improves CTV campaign measurement, and Spotify raises some eyebrows within the podcast industry.

In This Weeks News, Instagram removes its in-stream video ad placement, TikTok's ad revenue continues to grow, and the 28-page 2022 ‘Snapchat Generation’ report was released for exploration.

In This Week's News Snapchat makes it easier to share YouTube links, Google debuts a new recycling attribute, and TikTok’s share of dollars grows the further it goes down the marketing funnel.

In This Week's News, we welcome new seller badges & pricing insights for eCommerce brands, explore the rise of audio streaming, and dive into why some esports organizations are prioritizing growth on TikTok.

In This Week's News, we explore how an uptick in gaming could reshape the media landscape, Google's new contextual navigation unit, and Instagram product tags.

LinkedIn x Oribi works to improve the platform's attribution capabilities, Twitter shares plans for a new New Podcast Tab, all while streaming services begin to break into new markets.

In This Week's News, we welcome Vamp to the TikTok Marketing Partner program, get a glimpse of the LinkedIn Podcast Network, and explore how impactful a good brand story can be on Amazon.

In This Weeks News, While Audacy opens the doors to digital audio, we welcome Amazon Luna with open arms and take a look at how apps with first-party data can benefit from App Tracking Transparency.

In this Week's News, we're warned of Meta's reporting limitations, explore Instacart's new ad product offerings through WPP, and watch Amazon’s ad business continue to increase its share of the US digital ad market.

In This Week's News,​ we explore Google's new alternative to FLoC, learn how high-impact CTV is making ads more engaging, and celebrate Snapchat's extended content deals for 2022.

In This Week's News, we watch mobile ad spend continue to climb while platforms Spotify and Snapchat roll out new ad formats focused on the user experience.

In This Week's News, while video trends less formal and more native, Google's ad price manipulation lawsuit moves through the legislative process, as Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard.

In This Week's News, we are reminded of Google’s upcoming page experience update and welcome the future of voice-activated Smart TVs all while retail media continues to boom.

In This Week's News, we applaud Google for stepping up its cybersecurity efforts while Facebook sunsets various targeting options after TikTok surpasses Google as the most-visited website.

In This Week's News, we explore the rise of attention metrics and contextual targeting, Innovations in AI, and The Future of Social Advertising.

In This Week's News, we applaud Instagram's new Teen Safety Tools, celebrate a great year for worldwide ad spending, and understand the benefits of Barb's new measurement system.

In This Week's News, we wonder how Facebook’s cryptocurrency project will continue with the departure of David Marcus, celebrate the launch of Tesco's new media and insights platform, and examine the decline of this year's Cyber Week online spending patterns.

In This Week's News, we learn how Google can help improve digital conversations and self-service experiences, the importance of the Professional Certification Program, and the continued growth of Connected TV.

In This Week's News, we prepare ourselves for the launch of the new Google Partners program, learn why Facebook will limit ad targeting for politics, and why YouTube is removing their dislike button.

In This Week's News, we explore how user trust in social media platforms could affect engagement with ads, uncover some new changes that are making their way into the Google platform, and learn how Netflix and YouTube are dominating in the share of time spent watching.

In This Week's News, we're updated on Google's 'long-term opportunity' in commerce, Amazon's efforts to reinvent the radio, and BT’s new digital advertising platform.

This Week's News, we welcome a series of social updates including New Features for Reels and Feeds within Instagram, the launch of Facebook's long-awaited digital wallet, and Walmart's new text-to-shop tool.

In This Week's News, we're reminded that winter is coming and Amazon is prepared! Facebook and Instagram accounts will no longer be linked, and a recent study breaks down market share to provide clear answers for smaller brands.

In This Week's News, we take a look at the upcoming changes surrounding Facebook's pre-campaign reach estimates, when we can expect YouTube's TrueView for action campaigns will automatically upgrade to Video action campaigns, and see how Snapchat & WPP are teaming up to take on e-commerce with augmented reality.