PHD launches Engine, a specialist unit for Volkswagen for data-driven advertising

PHD, Omnicom Media Group, has announced the launch of Engine — a specialist unit built for automotive brand Volkswagen. The new unit has been designed to capitalise on the volume of anonymous data being generated by consumers researching cars online.

The new approach, which will roll out globally in Q4 this year, will ensure Volkswagen can deliver relevant content to consumers as they move through their digital journey to purchasing a vehicle. Engine pulls together technical experts from Omnicom Media Group agencies PHD, Annalect and Adylic to support technical operations, audience building, dynamic creative and performance reporting. PHD will manage Engine experts across OMG. These teams will be housed in four regional hubs supporting relevant local Volkswagen and PHD programmatic to buy optimisation teams who will manage their own local campaigns. The collective hub and local focus will be driving effectiveness and cost efficiency in delivering core digital consumer behaviour KPIs.

Oliver Maletz

“In today’s automotive path to purchase, the ‘sale’ is done online while the ‘deal’ is finalised in the dealership. Consumers are researching automotive purchases online and thereby creating an explosion of data, which gives us an unparalleled opportunity to offer them more relevant and engaging content to address their specific questions/needs during each stage of their purchase journey. The support Engine will provide our local teams the expertise to maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of paid data-led marketing communications across online video, display, search and social. It essentially allows us to rapidly globally scale the results we have achieved in a few markets,” said Oliver Maletz, Global Head of Communications and Media, VW-Brand.

Based in the hub locations of London, New York, Singapore and Miami, Engine will deliver operational excellence for local markets and offer an end-to-end programmatic solution which includes data collection and management, audience creation, dynamic creative, activation and measurement.

PHD had run test cases in Italy, France and Spain with Engine’s approach, delivering increased effectiveness and efficiency of 30-300%.

“This is an exciting step forward for both PHD and Volkswagen. By creating these unique, hub-based teams with technical expertise, data analytics and creative, local PHD and Volkswagen can fully leverage the programmatic media and technology landscape to drive improved results for our client,” said Paul Hawkey, Global Business Leader for Volkswagen, PHD.

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