Premion Achieves Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) Certified Against Fraud Seal

First Local OTT Platform to be TAG Certified Against Fraud

November 18, 2020 – NEW YORK – Premion, an industry-leading premium CTV/OTT advertising platform for regional and local advertisers, today announced that it achieved the TAG Certified Against Fraud Seal from the Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG).  Premion becomes the first local OTT platform to achieve the TAG certification, which recognizes Premion’s commitment and rigorous steps taken in the fight against fraudulent advertising. Created by the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s), Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), TAG is the leading global certification program fighting criminal activity and increasing trust in the digital advertising industry.

“Brand safety and performance outcomes are at the forefront of advertiser priorities and we’ve invested in our capabilities to combat ad fraud since it first emerged in the OTT ecosystem,” said Tom Cox, President of Premion. “This recognition validates what we’ve been doing from the onset — directly sourcing inventory from premium, known publishers and using cutting-edge technology to detect and filter for fraud. We’ve taken proactive steps early and remain committed to providing our advertisers with the highest level of accountability as the trusted and secure OTT advertising platform.”

Premion secured the TAG Certified Against Fraud Seal by employing thorough processes and comprehensive systems to adhere to TAG’s strict compliance standards. Premion continues to lead the industry in preventing fraud through a combination of direct relationships and leading technology tools. Specifically, Premion sources inventory from premium OTT content providers in a direct, priority ‘server-to-server’ relationship with those partners and through invite-only private marketplaces from providers. Through its technology partners, Premion deploys several layers of defense for pre- and post-serving verification that weeds out any suspicious inventory.

“As more ad dollars move to follow the rapid growth in streaming TV audiences, ad fraud is a growing reality and challenge in the OTT ecosystem,” said Mike Zaneis, CEO of TAG. “Our 2020 Fraud Benchmark Study has shown TAG Certified Channels which include multiple TAG-certified companies have 90 percent less fraud than the industry average. We commend Premion for its dedication to treating ad fraud as a strategic business priority and achieving the TAG Certified Against Fraud Seal.”

“Fraud prevention is so important in the OTT space and it is excellent that Premion continues to advance their offering,” said Nicole Torres, SVP Managing Director, Local Investments of Havas Media.

“As a holder of the TAG Certified Against Fraud seal, A+E Networks is committed to fighting ad fraud across all of our platforms,” said R. Lee Barstow, vice president, Revenue Operations at A+E Networks. “We are proud to work with Premion to connect local advertisers with our award-winning original content, and also ensure that their advertising dollars are reaching verified consumers and not wasted on bad actors.”

“Advertisers should look for the TAG seal of approval to ensure that they’re choosing trusted providers that are committed to continued vigilance in detection and providing known, trusted inventory supply paths,” said Dave Marquard, Head of Product at Premion. “This is the best safeguard to ensure transparent accountability for campaigns and to protect your brand and investment from ad fraud.”

About Premion Launched in 2016 by TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA), Premion is an industry-leading premium CTV/OTT advertising platform for regional and local advertisers. Gray Television Inc. (NYSE: GTN) acquired a minority stake in Premion in 2020. With directly-sourced inventory from 125+ premium publishers, Premion delivers transparency and brand safety, making it easy for advertisers to target and reach engaged audiences at scale. For more information, visit www.premion.com.