Comcast's New Platform: A Game Changer for Small Business Advertisers?

You might think that advertising on TV is only for big businesses. But Comcast is set to change that game with their new platform called Universal Ads. This platform will make it super easy for smaller businesses to buy ad time on streaming services. It's like they're trying to lure advertisers away from social media and into the world of traditional TV. Comcast has already teamed up with some big names in media, like NBCUniversal, Xumo, and even Fox Corp. The plan is to launch this new platform in the first quarter of the year. The idea is to simplify the ad-buying process, which can be really complicated compared to platforms like Meta or YouTube. James Rooke, the president of Comcast Advertising, thinks that many advertisers are tired of relying on just a few big tech companies. He wants to make buying ads on traditional media as easy as buying them on social media. Mark Marshall, the chairman of global advertising and partnerships for NBCUniversal, agrees. They've been talking about how to make this happen for a while now. The platform is free and self-service, using Comcast's own ad tech company, FreeWheel. Many of the partner companies are already using FreeWheel. Plus, there are plans to offer free, automated AI tools to help create ads, which can be a big help for smaller companies. Marshall thinks that Universal Ads could really shake up the advertising landscape. He believes it could steal market share from competitors in a unique and collaborative way. It's an exciting time for small businesses looking to get into TV advertising!