7 Best Workflow Automation Tools For Media Buyers

Introduction

Media buying, a key component of advertising, involves strategic purchasing, placement, and optimization of ad space across multiple channels. In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, media buyers need workflow automation tools that can manage campaigns, analyze data, maximize ROIs and save time. These tools help streamline the ad buying process, enabling media buyers to focus on strategy and relationships. Here's a look at seven leading tools that aid in automating workflows for media buyers.

1. Bizway

• What is it? An AI-integrated business management platform providing a full suite of tools that streamline workflows for media buying professionals.
• Key Features: AI Assistants, task automation, comprehensive project oversight, KPI dashboards, and data-driven insights.
• Pros: AI-driven analysis for enhanced user experience, combined toolkit for multiple operations, intuitive interface.
• Cons: Orientation towards small business operations, AI features may have a learning curve.
• Pricing: Initiates with a Starter plan at $49/mo, Scale at $99/mo, and Portfolio at $199/mo.
• Best For: Media buyers in smaller organizations seeking AI-powered automation for media planning, buying, and analytics.

2. AdEspresso by Hootsuite

• What is it? A digital advertising tool designed to make media buying on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads easier and more effective.
• Key Features: Campaign creation and management, A/B testing, performance analytics, and ad optimization.
• Pros: Simplifies the ad creative process, allows for detailed tracking of ad performance, offers actionable insights.
• Cons: Can become costly as ad spend increases, might not accommodate all ad platforms.
• Pricing: Pricing is tiered based on ad spend, with a base plan starting at $49 per month.
• Best For: Media buyers looking for an extensively automated ad-buying process with real-time analysis and optimization.

3. Centro Basis

• What is it? A programmatic advertising platform that streamlines digital media planning, direct buying, campaign execution, and optimization.
• Key Features: Automated digital media buying, campaign analysis, real-time dashboards, cross-channel planning.
• Pros: Integration of programmatic, direct, search, and social campaigns, collaborative workspace, streamlines complex campaigns.
• Cons: Interface may be overwhelming for newcomers, may be more suitable for campaigns with significant budgets.
• Pricing: Custom pricing tailored to organizational needs.
• Best For: Advanced media buyers in agencies or large corporations seeking a comprehensive ad buying and campaign management system.

4. Mediaocean

• What is it? A media management platform offering solutions for traditional and digital media buying within one integrated technology stack.
• Key Features: Cross-media buying, billing and payments, workflow management, and media intelligence.
• Pros: Supports a wide range of media types, centralized buying process, provides extensive reports.
• Cons: Focused on the needs of larger advertising firms and might not suit the budget of smaller agencies.
• Pricing: Pricing is based upon services chosen and organizational requirements.
• Best For: Media buying professionals seeking a multi-channel buying approach with extensive reporting capabilities and financial insight.

5. The Trade Desk

• What is it? A demand-side platform (DSP) that equips media buyers with the tools to design, manage, and optimize data-driven digital advertising campaigns.
• Key Features: Audience targeting, real-time bidding, omnichannel DSP, detailed analytics and reporting, cross-device identification.
• Pros: Offers one of the largest inventory pools, focuses on data-driven decision making, cutting-edge ad technologies.
• Cons: Complexity might require a deep understanding of programmatic ecosystems, higher-end pricing structure.
• Pricing: Tailored pricing plans based on usage and specific client needs.
• Best For: Media buyers and agencies requiring advanced tools for programmatic media buying across all channels and formats.

6. Trello

• What is it? A visual project management application that can be used to organize campaigns, track deliverables, and manage media buying schedules using board and card-based systematics.
• Key Features: Customizable boards, lists, and cards, automation with Butler, app integrations, calendar and timeline views.
• Pros: Simple and visual interface to manage tasks, well-suited for campaign planning and managing individual account timelines.
• Cons: May require complementary tools for complete campaign analysis or ad performance tracking.
• Pricing: Free version available; Business Class starting at $9.99 per user/month.
• Best For: Media buying managers looking for a basic organizational tool for overseeing campaigns.

7. Canva

• What is it? A user-friendly graphic design tool that enables quick creation of visual content, including media buying plans, campaign presentations, and marketing collateral.
• Key Features: Drag-and-drop interface, visual assets libraries, customizable templates, collaboration and publishing tools.
• Pros: Accessible for users without graphic design expertise, vast template selection suitable for a variety of uses, collaborative platform.
• Cons: Template customization can be limited without a Pro account, not a replacement for high-end design software.
• Pricing: Free basic service; Pro version starting at $12.95 per user/month.
• Best For: Media buyers in need of creating quick, professional-looking media plans and advertising materials without extensive design knowledge.