What is a managed service?
In programmatic advertising, a managed service is a model where an agency, trading desk or platform team runs campaigns on a demand-side platform for the advertiser. The provider handles setup, targeting, bidding, optimization and reporting, while the advertiser sets goals, budgets and approves creative. It is the alternative to running a DSP yourself.
Managed service can come from the DSP owner, from an independent agency or from a specialist team that holds access to several platforms.
How a managed service works
Briefing: you share objectives, KPIs, audiences, budget, timing and creative.
Planning: the team picks platforms, inventory, deals and targeting, and proposes a media plan.
Setup: campaigns, line items, tracking, brand safety controls and frequency caps are built in the DSP.
Optimization: traders monitor pacing and performance and adjust bids, audiences, supply and creative rotation.
Reporting: you get regular results and recommendations for the next flight.
Pricing is usually a percentage of media spend, a fixed fee or a mix. The key question is whether fees are shown separately from media costs.
Benefits of a managed service
Expertise without hiring: experienced traders know platform settings, auction dynamics and common pitfalls that take time to learn.
Faster start: no need to sign your own DSP contract, meet platform minimums or train a team first.
Multi-platform access: a good provider can run the same plan across several DSPs and pick the best one for each goal.
Ongoing optimization: someone watches campaigns daily, which matters for pacing and spend quality.
The trade-offs are less hands-on control and dependence on the provider's transparency. Ask who owns the account data, whether you can see platform-level reports, and how fees are charged.
Managed service vs self-serve
With a self-serve DSP, your own team logs in and runs campaigns directly. You get full control and can move fast, but you need trained people, time and often a platform contract with minimum spend. With a managed service, a specialist team operates the platform for you. Many advertisers start managed, learn what works, then move some campaigns in-house. Others use a hybrid: the advertiser keeps visibility in the platform while the provider does the trading. In-house teams sometimes set up their own trading desk once spend and skills justify it.
What to ask a managed service provider
Which DSPs do you use, and will campaigns run under a dedicated seat or account?
Are media costs and fees reported separately?
Is there a monthly minimum or long-term contract?
Who will actually run the campaign, and how often will they optimize?
Managed service with AdGeeks
AdGeeks offers managed campaigns run by senior traders on DV360, Amazon DSP and Adform, with seat-level access, no monthly spend minimum and no long-term contract. Campaigns can be live in days, with regular reporting and optimization. To get started, request access.
