Products

EMARKETER delivers leading-edge research to clients in a variety of forms, including full-length reports and data visualizations to equip you with actionable takeaways for better business decisions.
PRO+
New data sets, deeper insights, and flexible data visualizations.
Learn More
Reports
In-depth analysis, benchmarks and shorter spotlights on digital trends.
Learn More
Forecasts
Interactive projections with 10k+ metrics on market trends, & consumer behavior.
Learn More
Charts
Proprietary data and over 3,000 third-party sources about the most important topics.
Learn More
Industry KPIs
Industry benchmarks for the most important KPIs in digital marketing, advertising, retail and ecommerce.
Learn More
Briefings
Client-only email newsletters with analysis and takeaways from the daily news.
Learn More
Analyst Access Program
Exclusive time with the thought leaders who craft our research.
Learn More

About EMARKETER

Our goal is to unlock digital opportunities for our clients with the world’s most trusted forecasts, analysis, and benchmarks. Spanning five core coverage areas and dozens of industries, our research on digital transformation is exhaustive.
Our Story
Learn more about our mission and how EMARKETER came to be.
Learn More
Methodology
Rigorous proprietary data vetting strips biases and produces superior insights.
Learn More
Our People
Take a look into our corporate culture and view our open roles.
Join the Team
Contact Us
Speak to a member of our team to learn more about EMARKETER.
Contact Us
Newsroom
See our latest press releases, news articles or download our press kit.
Learn More
Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities
Reach an engaged audience of decision-makers.
Learn More
Events
Browse our upcoming and past events, recent podcasts, and other featured resources.
Learn More
Podcasts
Tune in to EMARKETER's daily, weekly, and monthly podcasts.
Learn More

UK Programmatic Digital Display Advertising Outlook 2021

Pandemic Accelerates Trend Toward Advertiser Control

Download
Share
About This Report
Programmatic ad spending will account for 93.6% of total UK display ad spending this year, or £7.90 billion ($10.09 billion). Open exchanges, though, will account for a diminishing proportion of that total; spend declined 2.4% in 2020.
Table of Contents

Executive Summary

The pandemic put a dent—albeit a small one—in the projected growth rate for UK programmatic display ad spending. But strong growth is expected in 2021, as automation’s reach extends into traditional channels. However, trust in open exchanges is diminishing.

How much will be spent on UK programmatic advertising in 2021?

UK programmatic display ad spending will reach £7.90 billion ($10.09 billion) in 2021, up 16.4% from 2020 to account for 93.6% of total display ad spending.

How did the pandemic affect our forecasts?

Our pre-pandemic UK programmatic digital display ad spending growth estimate for 2020 (17.5%) was revised downward in October to 9.4%.

What have been the underlying drivers for these changes?

During the pandemic, consumers leaned into a lot of digital media. Advertisers took advantage and employed automation wherever they could. Digital video performed incredibly well, while the strength of social media advertising meant that programmatic direct’s influence was keenly felt. Outside of social media, open exchanges came under pressure, with 2020 ad spending in public auctions falling 2.4% as advertisers sought greater control and certainty through programmatic direct and private marketplace (PMP) buys.

Which nascent areas will affect future growth?

Digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising is making the move to automation, though from a very small base. Connected TV (CTV), meanwhile, represents one of the biggest growth areas for programmatic display advertising.

WHAT’S IN THIS REPORT? This report presents our updated forecast for UK programmatic digital display ad spending through 2022. It provides context for how the programmatic market is growing across transaction types, formats, and devices.

KEY STAT: UK programmatic ad spending rode out the 2020 storm and will grow strongly through 2022 to reach £9.01 billion ($11.50 billion).

Here’s what’s in the full report

3files

Exportable files for easy reading, analysis and sharing.

15charts

Reliable data in simple displays for presentations and quick decision making.

19expert perspectives

Insights from industry and company leaders.

    Table of Contents

    1. Executive Summary
    2. Total Programmatic Ad Spending
    3. Spending by Transaction Type
    4. Spending by Device
    1. Spending by Format
    2. Programmatic DOOH Ad Spending
    3. Key Takeaways
    4. Insider Intelligence Interviews
    1. Read Next
    2. Media Gallery

    Charts in This Report

    Interviewed for This Report

    Akshay Bhattacharjee
    Integral Ad Science
    Programmatic Solutions Specialist, EMEA
    Interviewed September 23, 2020
    Will Brownsdon
    Hivestack
    UK Managing Director
    Interviewed September 23, 2020
    Pierce Cook-Anderson
    Smart AdServer
    Country Manager, Northern Europe
    Interviewed September 23, 2020
    Eliette Cremer
    Space & Time
    Programmatic Lead
    Interviewed September 22, 2020
    Emma Delserieys
    Nielsen
    Director, Customer Success and Attribution, EMEA
    Interviewed September 21, 2020
    Laura Fordham
    Control v Exposed
    Director, Business Strategy and Development
    Interviewed September 30, 2020
    Alison Harding
    Lotame
    Vice President, Data Solutions, EMEA
    Interviewed September 21, 2020
    Lucy Hinton
    Flashtalking
    Head of Client Operations
    Interviewed September 18, 2020
    Richard Johnson
    OneDash
    Consultant
    Interviewed September 21, 2020
    Anna Jorysz
    NMPi by Incubeta
    Display and Creative Director
    Interviewed September 25, 2020
    Toby Lett
    Xaxis
    Product Manager
    Interviewed September 21, 2020
    Lisa Menaldo
    The Advisory Collective
    Co-Founder
    Interviewed September 21, 2020
    Emma Newman
    PubMatic
    Chief Revenue Officer, EMEA
    Interviewed September 23, 2020
    Lasse Nordsiek
    Smart AdServer
    Country Manager, DACH
    Interviewed September 23, 2020
    Sophie Pemberton
    Talon Outdoor
    Group Strategy Director
    Interviewed September 4, 2020
    Veronique Pican
    Smart AdServer
    Country Manager, France
    Interviewed September 23, 2020
    Austin Scott
    Xandr
    Head of Video Market Development, EMEA
    Interviewed September 28, 2020
    Andreas Soupliotis
    Hivestack
    Founder and CEO
    Interviewed September 23, 2020
    Gavin Wilson
    VIOOH
    Chief Revenue Officer
    Interviewed September 15, 2020

    authors

    Bill Fisher

    Contributors

    Alina Brentnall
    Researcher, Europe
    Nicole Perrin
    Principal Analyst
    Shelleen Shum
    Senior Director, Forecasting
    Karin von Abrams
    Principal Analyst
    Already have a subscription?Sign In

    Access All Charts and Data

    Gain access to reliable data presented in clear and intelligible displays for quick understanding and decision making on the most important topics related to your industry

    Become a Client