Demystifying Advertising Terminology for Your System Design Interview 

Understanding a Leading Advertising Platform:

As you prepare for a Staff Data Engineer interview at a leading advertising company, having a solid grasp of key terms in the industry is crucial. This post will summarize relevant concepts, connect them to your personal media consumption habits, and bridge the gap to system design considerations like load and latency.

Streaming vs. Traditional TV Advertising:

Your Streaming Habits:

Imagine you watch shows through Apple TV, smart TV apps, Prime Video, and encounter commercials on Instagram and YouTube. Even on vacation, streaming shows on a laptop or iPad through apps like Hulu or Netflix would be considered OTT viewing. Hotels might offer various viewing options – some with traditional cable setups and others with access to streaming apps through their TVs. If a hotel offers streaming apps, the platform could be used to deliver targeted ads during your vacation viewing!

Peak Moments and Low Seasons for Streaming:

Quantifying Peaks and Low Seasons:

Global Reach and Market Focus:

The company's website might not explicitly state their global presence. However, their focus on CTV advertising suggests they likely operate in markets with high CTV adoption (US, Canada, UK, Western Europe). During your interview, you can inquire about their specific markets.

Industry Examples for Viewership:

OTT Focus and Streaming Protocols:

OTT can include live TV, but it encompasses a broader range of content, including on-demand streaming of movies and TV shows. Here are the primary internet protocols involved:

Ad Serving and User Targeting:

Collaborative Filtering (Potential):

While specific methods are not publicly disclosed, collaborative filtering is a possibility for user targeting. This technique analyzes user behavior patterns to identify similar viewers and recommend content or ads. However, this would likely require user consent for data collection and adhere to data privacy regulations.

Time Zones and Viewership Distribution:

Time zones influence peak viewing for premieres. However, streaming platforms cater to delayed gratification by offering entire seasons at once, spreading viewership over a longer period compared to traditional TV. Estimating viewership for a new show is challenging, but industry reports suggest popular series can garner millions of viewers within the first week. The exact distribution would depend on factors like genre and audience interest.

Example: Advertising Considerations for Kids' Content

Regulations like COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) restrict targeted advertising to children. Alternative approaches for kids' shows might include:

Next Steps: