Industry expert Nick Manning could not have said it better in a recent article in the Media Leader.  No one has yet to make any viable argument that justifies the waste and dilution of billions of dollars in the media buying ecosystem, particularly in digital and programmatic.  The lowest estimate reported in studies thus far is that 50% of media dollars are spent before an ad reaches a publisher.  But those studies have not taken into account the waste and dilution from the publishers to the consumer.  Some suggest that more than 80% is lost in programmatic before an ad reaches a consumer.  With bot fraud rampant, other pundits say as much as 95% is lost.  

A new study is underway by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), conducted by PwC, TAG-TrustNet, and Kroll, that will follow the money from the brand to the consumer, identifying the flow of funds to the DSP's, SSP's, publishers, and the plethora of other thirds parties siphoning off brand dollars.  Perhaps then brands will see enough to take action and address the waste, measure effectiveness and preserve shareholder values.  Kudos to those in the supply chain that are participating in the study, working in partnership with brands to find solutions.  I suppose those who are not participating have excuses, but I've yet to hear one that is legitimate.  

Results of the ANA study, together with tools brands can use to address the waste and negative impact on ROI, are expected by the end of the year.