Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has introduced two innovative ad solutions, Shop with Max and Moments, leveraging AI technology to transform streaming content into interactive shopping experiences on Max. These tools are part of a broader effort to enhance ad-supported streaming and boost profitability by seamlessly integrating commerce with entertainment.
Shop with Max: Interactive Shopping Made Easy
Shop with Max utilizes advanced AI and metadata to identify items featured in Max’s extensive content library and pair them with related products in advertisers’ catalogs. By scanning a QR code, viewers can explore and purchase items without interrupting their viewing experience. Key features include:
- Product Showcase: A dynamic mid-roll ad format presenting catalog items inspired by on-screen content, accessible via QR codes.
- Mobile Shop: A curated second-screen experience offering 12-20 products connected to the content being watched, linking directly to advertisers’ websites.
Ryan Gould, head of advanced advertising and digital ad sales at WBD, explained, “By closely partnering with KERV, we’re redefining how audiences discover and engage with products while creating deeper connections between brands and our iconic portfolio of premium content and IP across Max.”
Wayfair, an early adopter of Shop with Max, sees this as an opportunity to create a more seamless shopping experience. Kara O’Brien, Wayfair’s head of brand marketing, noted, “These new solutions on Max will make it easy for viewers to discover and purchase items for their homes inspired by the content they’re viewing and enjoying.”
Moments: Contextual Advertising Based on Themes
Moments focuses on aligning brands with thematic content by analyzing audio and visual cues to identify specific moments that resonate with consumer interests. This feature offers:
- Episodic-Level Precision: Advertisers can target audiences based on curated themes such as Cooking, Real Estate, Gaming, and Science & Space.
- Scalable Distribution: Reach diverse audiences across Max’s vast library, including scripted and unscripted series, movies, and animated content.
- Brand Suitability: Advertisers can avoid sensitive topics and tailor campaigns to align with positive themes, ensuring a high-quality ad experience.
Powered by Kerv’s patented metadata technology, Moments provides privacy-focused, contextually relevant ad experiences across connected TV (CTV) and mobile platforms. Marika Roque, chief innovation officer at Kerv, stated, “With Shop with Max and Moments, we’re harnessing the power of Kerv’s patented moment-based metadata to create hyper-relevant, contextual ad experiences that enhance viewer engagement and bring brands closer to their consumers through stories they love.”
Enhanced Viewer Engagement
WBD’s ad solutions aim to create a seamless transition from inspiration to purchase, transforming streaming into a hub for commerce. For instance, viewers watching Holiday Baking Championship may encounter QR code-enabled ads that guide them to kitchenware similar to what’s featured in the show. These innovations capitalize on Max’s extensive library, with over 90% of content analyzed for potential ad integration, covering themes like outdoor adventures, cooking, and home improvement.
Broader Industry Implications
WBD joins other media companies, such as NBCUniversal, in exploring interactive shopping experiences on streaming platforms. NBCUniversal has tested similar technology on Peacock, allowing viewers to order food and drinks during movies or live events. These advancements highlight the growing trend of blending commerce with entertainment to drive ad revenue.
With a focus on maintaining privacy, WBD uses contextual signals to target ads without relying on personal data. Advertisers benefit from scalable, precise targeting while ensuring brand alignment with positive themes and avoiding sensitive topics in TV-MA or R-rated content.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s launch of Shop with Max and Moments represents a significant evolution in streaming advertising. By integrating shopping capabilities and thematic ad targeting into Max, WBD offers advertisers a unique way to connect with audiences while enhancing viewer engagement. As Ryan Gould summarized, “These dynamic solutions exemplify how Warner Bros. Discovery is accelerating and delivering innovation across advertising technology.”
