New, exciting and changing the game - Smart CPM by AdMaven.

Good advertising isn’t about spending more - it’s about spending smarter. Traditional flat CPM bidding is a blunt tool: it prices every impression the same, whether it’s a perfect match for your audience or a wasted view. That’s money left on the table, and you don't want to do that.

AdMaven’s new Smart CPM model is built for advertisers who demand both control and optimization: Smart CPM introduces a dynamic yet transparent pricing method that significantly reduces budget waste, without requiring complex AI models or automated strategies that operate without user oversight.

In short: pay less for traffic and get the maximum from your budget.

What is Smart CPM?

Smart CPM is a new pricing model available on AdMaven’s self-serve platform. It allows advertisers to define a maximum CPM bid - (the highest price amount they are willing to pay for 1,000 impressions). It uses a second-price auction system, meaning you set your maximum bid, but you’ll only pay just above the next highest bid needed to win the impression and not your full maximum bid.

Unlike regular CPM bidding, where the advertiser pays the exact bid amount regardless of competition, Smart CPM evaluates each auction individually. The system identifies the second-highest bid price in the auction and submits a bid slightly higher. This way, you win the impression, but you don’t need to overspend for it.

The result: a pricing model that is much more efficient and gives you full control. You won’t need to rely on external AI-driven optimization, and there’s no hidden logic behind bid fluctuations. You, as the advertiser, set the ceiling, and the system handles the rest with complete transparency.

How is Smart CPM different from regular CPM?

Traditional CPM is static. You define a bid price (for example, $4.50) and that rate applies to every 1,000 impressions you receive, regardless of competition level. Whether the next best bidder is offering $1.00 or $4.40, you still pay your $4.50. This means that advertisers often overpay for low-competition placements, eroding ROI and reducing overall campaign efficiency.

This is where Smart CPM comes in with a solution. With Smart CPM, you still set a maximum bid, but the actual price paid is determined dynamically in real-time, based on competition in the specific auction. Here's how it works:

• Your max bid is $6.00
• Competitor #1 had a bid of $4.00
• Competitor #2 had a bid of $3.80
• Competitor #3 had a bid of $3.10

You won't be paying $6.00. Instead, your actual cost will be $4.10 - which keeps you in budget while maintaining competitive positioning.

This model is based on second-price auction principles, commonly used in large-scale programmatic platforms, and ensures that advertisers never pay more than they need to in order to win the impression.

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How does Smart CPM work?

Smart CPM is engineered to be simple to use but powerful in execution. Here’s how it functions operationally:

The advertiser sets a maximum CPM bid - this represents the upper spending limit per 1,000 impressions.

AdMaven’s system participates in live auctions automatically. For each available impression, the platform assesses the other bids submitted in that auction.

If the advertiser’s maximum bid is sufficient to win, the system identifies the second-highest bid and submits a slightly higher offer — just enough to win the auction, but never exceeding the max bid defined.

This process repeats in real time, adapting to each impression opportunity individually.

Unlike algorithmic bidding models that require learning periods and opaque budget handling, Smart CPM is transparent, predictable, and requires no special configuration. It allows you to operate efficiently from day one, with real-time optimization and cost control.

Advantages for advertisers

• Cost savings. We all want that, don’t we? Early tests show a reduction of up to 30% in wasted budget when compared to flat CPM models. The system avoids unnecessary high bids, especially in low-competition environments.
  
  
• You are in control. Unlike automated bidding systems that make decisions independently, Smart CPM respects the advertiser's max bid and never exceeds it.
  
  
• Perfect for campaign testing and validation. Whether testing new creatives, targeting new geos, or experimenting with formats, Smart CPM allows you to gather performance data without burning budget on inefficient traffic.
  
  
• Accelerated scaling. Once optimal zones, formats, or audiences are identified, the advertiser can scale the budget with precision by adjusting bids on proven segments.
  
  
• Smarter allocation across traffic sources. Smart CPM automatically adjusts bids across different zones and placements, allowing advertisers to secure valuable impressions where competition is high, while conserving budget in low-demand areas. This ensures optimal delivery without the need for manual bid segmentation or duplicated campaigns.

Who should use Smart CPM?

Smart CPM is designed for experienced advertisers who value transparency, control, and efficiency. It’s particularly effective for:

• Advertisers conducting A/B testing, who need to test multiple creatives, landing pages, or formats without incurring disproportionate costs.
  
  
• Campaigns in launch or scale-up phases, where traffic sources and user behavior are still being evaluated.
  
  
• Performance-focused marketers who prefer to avoid algorithmic bidding models but still require cost-optimization and traffic prioritization.
  
  
• Advertisers managing multiple geos or formats, who need flexible cost structures without the overhead of managing multiple campaigns manually.
  
  

Why AdMaven offers Smart CPM

Basically, because we put our clients first!

At AdMaven, we know that long-term success doesn’t come from squeezing every impression for short-term profit. It comes from helping advertisers like you get real, measurable results - and keeping your campaigns profitable over time.

That’s why we built Smart CPM. It’s not just another feature, it’s part of our commitment to smarter, more transparent advertising. You stay in control. You decide what you’re willing to pay. And you get more value out of every dollar you spend.

If you’re looking for a way to cut waste, scale campaigns with confidence, and keep full visibility over your spend, Smart CPM was built for you.

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How to Start a Campaign Using Smart CPM

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1. Login to your AdMaven Advertiser account. If you don't have an account, now is a good time to register.

2. Go to the "Campaign management" page and click the "Create Campaign" button.

3. Choose your campaign's advertising format and name your campaign.

4. Choose "Smart CPM" as your pricing model.

5. Adjust your campaign targeting and you are ready to go!

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As always, we are here if you need any assistance.

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