# Media Buying Software from MediaLink Software

> Advertising Planning System


## Posts

- [Media Link Software Welcomes Maggie!](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/media-link-software-welcomes-maggie/): Today, we are thrilled to introduce Maggie Stahl, our newest team member! A proud Quad Cities local, Maggie is passionate about both her community and the businesses within it. She earned Ambrose University, which paved the way for her deep dive into the world of marketing and graphic design. Maggie’s creative talents and leadership skills led her to manage her own team of designers, where she honed her abilities in both creative and strategic roles. Now, Maggie is eager to bring her vast knowledge and skills to Media Link Software, and her excitement is contagious! “Working at Media Link Software […]
- [Media Buying: Everyone Does It Differently](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/media-buying-everyone-does-it-differently/): A HubSpot article distills media buying down to a simple definition: “Media buying is the process of purchasing ad space and time on digital and offline platforms, such as websites, YouTube, radio, and TV.” Different Ways Media Buyers Work That definition sounds simple enough, and yet within the simplicity of this definition is an array of choices and decisions, where we’ve found everyone goes about the media buying process in a different way. It’s one of the reasons our job is never boring with Media Link Software®. Some media buyers may rely entirely on algorithms and demographic reports. Media Link […]
- [Publications Made Easy](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/publications-made-easy/): The Publication Module makes print advertising buys a breeze. With so much focus on digital advertising, print is sometimes overlooked, but advertising professionals know just how important print continues to be for most brands.  How has print advertising changed? The rise of digital advertising has given agencies and brands more options, and it’s changed the way agencies work in print as well. Print publications tend to be more niche than they were in previous decades. This works well for advertising because it allows agencies to more easily reach specific demographics and audiences. What is the longevity of print publications Print […]
- [Media Changes We Anticipate in 2025](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/media-changes-we-anticipate-in-2025/): The new year brings new challenges, and one of those challenges for the advertising and media buying business is anticipating changes to how we do our jobs, both in the day to day, and in long-term planning. We can never truly predict what the future will bring. Those of us of a certain age wouldn’t have predicted that nearly everyone would get their news from a phone they carry around in their pockets every day. Technology will always evolve and upend how we do business, yet many of the principles of our work remain the same. Here are a few […]
- [What are Specialty Buys in Media Link Software®?](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/what-are-specialty-buys-in-media-link-software/): Another key feature which sets Media Link Software® apart from other media planning and buying platforms is the Specialty module. This module is unique, because it’s not tied to metrics such as demographics. Yet, it’s a module to tie in how an agency works. Agencies and media buyers utilize all forms of advertising, specialty items are not different. These specialty buys (also called promotional items) are any item you use to promote a business, such as t-shirts, branded pens or even catered cupcakes. Specialty is Everything You Can Imagine Well, perhaps not everything. The Specialty module can’t help you place […]
- [Our Customer Suggestions Can Become Features](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/our-customer-suggestions-can-become-features/): One of the joys of the developing software we’ve created for media planners and buyers is our intrinsic understanding of the day-to-day mechanics of how agencies run. Media Link Software® was created out of necessity, when our Founder and President, Natalie Linville-Mass, needed a software she could use for all aspects of her agency’s campaigns. At the time, there wasn’t such a software product on the market.  So, when we make updates and improvements to Media Link Software®, those changes often come from new workflows within our own agency and from our customers. We are in regular communication with our […]
- [Top Media Buying Trends For 2025](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/top-media-buying-trends-for-2025/)
- [Creating Custom Markets with Media Link Software®: A Guide for Media Buyers](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/creating-custom-markets-with-media-link-software-a-guide-for-media-buyers/)
- [Reflecting Back on Media Link Software®](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/reflecting-back-on-media-link-software/)
- [Welcome, Grey!](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/welcome-grey/): Media Link Software is thrilled to announce our newest Marketing Specialist, Grey Allison. Welcome to the team, Grey! Grey is an internationally published artist and writer with a B.F.A. in Sequential Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design. This unique major provided her with skills spanning creative writing, comic art, storyboarding, branding, and self-promotion. Her specialty is weaving content into a narrative structure. “Humans crave storytelling,” she asserts. “Sharing our experiences, and hearing others, is how we form connections.” Following graduation, Grey moved to Portland, Oregon. As a member of the comic art collective Helioscope Studio, she contributed […]
- [Make the Most of Outdoor Advertising](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/make-the-most-of-outdoor-advertising/): Summer is here. People are spending less time in front of screens, and more time outdoors. It’s the perfect time for many agencies to ramp up their outdoor advertising schedule, and Media Link Software® can help. The truth is outdoor advertising is an effective method throughout the year, not just in warmer months. The most common and effective form of outdoor advertising is the time-tested billboard. Media Link Software® helps make outdoor campaigns even more effective by providing campaign customization and demographic data, so agencies can get the most from their campaigns. Whether your outdoor campaign utilizes space along highways, […]
- [Agency Software Created by an Actual Agency](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/agency-software-created-by-an-actual-agency/): As agency professionals, we know one of the first questions we often ask clients is “What makes your product or service different than your competitors?” For Media Link Software®, this answer is the very core of our product. Media Link Software is a media buying platform created FOR agency professionals, BY agency professionals. Media Link Software came into existence because of the needs of our company president, Natalie Linville-Mass. She is also the president of her own agency, Media Link, Inc. Natalie was frustrated with the limited options for media buying software. She just couldn’t find a software to fit […]
- [Streamline Your Digital Buys with Media Link Software®](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/streamline-your-digital-buys-with-media-link-software/): We understand media buying requires precision, efficiency, and seamless integration across various platforms. Media Link Software ® is changing the game in the digital landscape, offering a digital module to help media buyers plan, execute, and analyze their digital buys. With these different digital functionalities, our software provides media professionals with an easy way to plan, purchase, and track their digital advertising campaigns. The foundation of our digital module has access to hundreds of digital platforms, like Google, Facebook, Snapchat, and LinkedIn. So, buyers can maximize their reach effortlessly, creating orders and proposals for buys, targeting specific audiences, and leveraging […]
- [Maximizing Success: A Glowing Testimonial from One of Our Customers](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/maximizing-success-a-glowing-testimonial-from-one-of-our-customers/): In the fast-paced world of media buying, having a reliable tool and extended resources is essential for maximizing successful marketing campaigns. Lisa O., a lead strategist at her agency, shares her experience, validating the support Media Link Software® provides to professionals in the field. Lisa’s testimonial highlights two important qualities of Media Link Software®: their support team offers great customer service and education, and the software has exceptional responsiveness under pressure. She reflects on how these aspects have not only maximized her own performance but have also contributed to her growth as a buyer in the industry. Lisa relies on […]
- [Welcome, Lila!](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/welcome-lila/): Media Link Software is thrilled to announce our newest Marketing Specialist, Lila Siering. Welcome to the team, Lila! Lila is a graduate of Knox College where she majored in creative writing, double minored in studio art and philosophy, and recently received her B.A. in June of 2023. Writing has been Lila’s passion for as long as she’s been able to pick up a pencil, and she is more than thrilled to have found a job where she can utilize and fine-tune these skills. In her last year of college, Lila worked for one of Knox’s literary magazines, Cellar Door, as […]
- [Welcome, Megan!](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/welcome-megan/): We are so happy to announce a new member of our Media Link Software Team! Please join us in welcoming Megan Cox! After moving back to the Quad Cities with a Bachelor’s in Marketing from the University of Iowa, Megan transitioned to a managerial role from Sephora to Enterprise Rent-A-Car, further enriching her professional experience. Recognizing her desire to blend her artistic abilities with marketing, she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Digital Marketing at Northern Illinois University. “I like that my work and school naturally complement each other,” says Megan. After earning her Bachelors, diving into the world of […]
- [The Return of Ad-Driven TV](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/the-return-of-ad-driven-tv/): The more things change, the more they stay the same. After a few years of significant growth in advertising-free OTT (Over the Top) streaming services such as Netflix, Paramount+, Max (formerly HBO Max), and Hulu, many streaming services are pushing advertising models again. Just three years ago, Netflix insisted the streaming service would never have ads on its service. After an influx of competition and two costly strikes with the writers and actors, Netflix is now pushing an advertising model as its standard plan. It’s not just Netflix. Other OTT services are also pushing for advertising-based services, now that they […]
- [A Look Back On Our Anniversary](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/a-look-back-on-our-anniversary/): It’s been 12 years since Natalie Linville-Mass founded Media Link Software®. We’ve told the MLS story before, and it’s worth telling again. Media Link Software President, Natalie Linville-Mass, never intended to be a software developer. She was a veteran entrepreneur of a different kind. She ran a marketing agency and just wanted a media buying software package that worked for her company.  There were only two dominant software packages available to media buyers at the time, and neither one worked well for Natalie’s company. So she talked to Arthur Breur, a developer she worked with on her customers’ website and […]
- [Custom Markets](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/custom-markets-2/): We occasionally write about the origin story of Media Link Software®, because the company was born of necessity. Media Link Software President, Natalie Linville-Mass, founded the company because she was running a marketing firm and the software she used couldn’t do what she needed, so she started her own software company. One of those features was Custom Markets. Custom Markets is a feature we create to give media buyers a tool to create their own market, rather than rely on a generic market forced on users by the software. There are countless instances where this can be beneficial, so let’s […]
- [TV Advertising Buys in Media Link Software](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/tv-advertising-buys-in-media-link-software/): Media Link Software President Natalie Linville-Mass never intended to start a software company. She started Media Link Software because she ran an advertising agency and needed more flexibility in her media buys. The software she needed didn’t exist, so she invented it. It’s no surprise that one of the best features of the TV module is its flexibility. Every TV market is different, and every client has different needs within those markets. The TV module allows users to schedule ad buys from traditional networks, cable, and ad-supported OTP streaming networks. The key is scheduling not by network but by show […]
- [Streamline Your Cable Advertising Experience with Media Link Software®](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/streamline-your-cable-advertising-experience-with-media-link-software/): Cable advertising is a great option for those looking to reach a specific geo-targeted audience. This media outlet is typically targeted to specific demographic groups based on age, gender, location, and viewing habits. This allows businesses to tailor their advertising messages to the audiences who are more likely to be interested in their products or services. It is important to remember; for a cable buy to be effective it must be carefully considered, planned, and executed to provide a good return on investment and this is where Media Link Software® (MLS) can help. MLS simplifies the process of comparing and […]
- [Comparing Apples to Apples: How Universal Formulas are Central to Media Link Software®](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/comparing-apples-to-apples-how-universal-formulas-are-central-to-media-link-software/): When considering a media buy, it can be difficult to organize and compare pricing. From differences in each media platform to differences between vendors, finding a common ground to compare each piece of information is often the most difficult part. Universal formulas are exactly what they sound like, formulas which should be used by the entire media buying industry to make it easy to compare information side-by-side. When considering multiple media buys it is important to be able to make a comparison across all platforms. Our Media Link Software® (MLS) is uniquely designed to help you see all of your […]
- [<strong>Making a Print Buy with Media Link Software</strong>®<strong> and The Publication Module</strong>](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/making-a-print-buy-with-media-link-software-and-the-publication-module/): Print advertising is still an effective platform for media buys and can still stand toe-to-toe with newer forms of advertising. Over the years, print has gone through many changes due to the rise in technology and digital advertising. This has included more personalization, integration with digital media through QR codes and URLs, and a shift to focus on more niche publications that allow advertisers to target more specific audiences. Print can be easily used to reach a specific audience based on their interests, demographics, and location. Print ads can also have more longevity compared to digital ads as they are [&hellip;]
- [But How Do I Make a Radio Buy? An Introduction to The Radio Module with Media Link Software®](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/but-how-do-i-make-a-radio-buy-an-introduction-to-the-radio-module-with-media-link-software/): The Radio Module is a powerful tool used to reach a large and diverse audience. This medium has a broad listenership across different demographics, including age, gender, and socio-economic status. Radio advertising offers several advantages, such as cost-effectiveness, immediacy, and flexibility in targeting specific genres through different stations, programs, and time slots. It can also provide a high level of creative freedom for advertisers to use music, sound effects, and voiceovers to create engaging and memorable ads. However, making a radio buy can seem like a guessing game to anyone new to media buying. Between sorting through different buying options, [&hellip;]
- [Annual Budgets in Media Link Software®](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/annual-budgets-in-media-link-software/): The advertising business may be a lot more creative than many businesses, but at the end of the day it’s still a business. Most of us didn’t get into advertising and marketing because of a love for numbers. If arithmetic was our first love, we’d have gone into accounting. But budgets are important to every business and every project, there’s no getting around it. Fortunately, Media Link Software® (MLS) makes working with annual budgets easier. As Business News Daily suggests, creating your budget is like any other project. You determine your priorities, understand your audience and your market, plus determine [&hellip;]
- [<strong>Flexibility in Outdoor Advertising Scheduling with Media Link Software</strong>](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/flexibility-in-outdoor-advertising-scheduling-with-media-link-software/): Flexibility isn’t just important in yoga and gymnastics, flexibility is important in our businesses, and a key to the success of Media Link Software. No two agencies are exactly alike, and Media Link Software builds in flexibility to give users control over how they use the software to best fit their own needs. This flexibility is apparent in our Outdoor Module. The vast majority of outdoor advertising is the humble, yet effective and ubiquitous, billboard. Advertising on billboards includes a set of parameters most of us know well. Media Link Software pulls in current population and demographics data based on [&hellip;]
- [Introducing Freddy Hernandez](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/introducing-freddy-hernandez/): Media Link Software is happy to welcome Marketing Coordinator Freddy Hernandez to the company. Freddy graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing. Freddy has an entrepreneurial spirit that fits in well with the team. He’s been working with Alien Boi Boxing to help them with their social media and promotions. It’s an amazing company that provides so much for the community and he’s happy to help whenever they need a hand. It’s the kind of spirit that makes Freddy a valuable member of our team. “I’m glad to join Media Link Software,” Freddy says. “I [&hellip;]
- [<strong>The Importance of Using the Right Tools for the Job</strong>](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/the-importance-of-using-the-right-tools-for-the-job/): Working in advertising doesn’t have a lot of similarities to being a carpenter, but they are both jobs that require creativity, flexibility, often have strict guidelines from a client for a project, and both make use of specialized tools.  Of course, expertise in the job is what counts the most. A great carpenter could build a better cabinet with a pocket knife and glue than most of us could build with all the tools in Norm Abram’s New Yankee Workshop at our disposal. Yet you’ll find that great carpenters don’t just rely on a pocket knife and a tube of [&hellip;]
- [It’s Our Anniversary](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/its-our-anniversary/): The New Year is often a time for many to reflect and commit to new goals in their lives and their work. At Media Link Software, the fall is the perfect time to reflect. It’s a time of new beginnings as seasons change, kids go back to school, college students return to our city after a summer of work and fun. It’s also our anniversary. Every autumn is a reminder of our launch more than 10 years ago now. Time flies, and we’re so proud of what we’ve accomplished. It may seem odd for a software company to celebrate anniversaries, [&hellip;]
- [What’s New in OTT and Streaming?](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/whats-new-in-ott-and-streaming/): It’s no secret that Netflix has had its share of financial woes in recent months. They were the first and biggest streamer to hit the market and were dominant for many years. Yet, as other streamers such as Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+ have come to market, Netflix has been losing subscribers. So, they’re looking to make up this lost revenue by luring back old subscribers and wooing new subscribers by offering a lower-priced advertising tier.&nbsp; We don’t yet know how this will shake out, but it’s worth revisiting a topic we wrote about in 2019, a lifetime ago in [&hellip;]
- [Take Back Your Time with MLS Formulas](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/take-back-your-time-with-mls-formulas/): “Time Is Money.” We’ve all heard this phrase written by Benjamin Franklin when he first coined the aphorism in his essay &#8220;Advice to a Young Tradesman.” It’s a truth that still rings true today, and one we often forget. Many of us try to do too many things. Sure, if you have a mechanical aptitude, you could learn to fix your own car. But is it the best investment of your time? For those who truly enjoy that sort of work, sure, but for most of us time lost to such an endeavor will cost us more in the long [&hellip;]
- [What is the Benefit of Creating Markets in Media Link Software?](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/what-is-the-benefit-of-creating-markets-in-media-link-software/): There are a lot of components to doing an advertising buy, which is why we need media buying software in the first place. One of those components is market research. Media professionals can benefit from using market research that’s been done by others, and that can certainly save time and energy. However, for many professionals, the best results come from creating your own markets with your own market research. As Epom reports, conducting market research is one of the first and most important facets of a media buy. This helps you better understand the target audience for your campaign, and [&hellip;]
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- [What is Cross Media Integration, and How Can it Help You?](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/what-is-cross-media-integration-and-how-can-it-help-you/): Media Link Software was designed out of necessity, because company President, Natalie Linville-Mass, could not find the software to do what she needed to run her agency. Whether you are a large advertising firm or a small boutique, cross media integration is a feature to help you run your agency more effectively. Before Natalie founded Media Link Software, she found other media-buying platforms were laser-focused on one particular type of platform, usually broadcast. That is great if all you do is broadcast buys. However, most of us work in full-service agencies or marketing departments and need to be equipped with [&hellip;]
- [Technology Keeps Moving, and So Does Media Link Software](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/technology-keeps-moving-and-so-does-media-link-software/): A lot has changed since Media Link Software began as a fledgling startup in 2010. Back then, there was a duopoly in the media buying software business. Media Link Software began out of necessity, because neither of the big software companies catered to the boutique agency business. Now, there are several software options available, which forces those of developing software to stay ahead of the curve in features and technology if we do not want to be left behind. We thought it might be fun to look back at some of the technology that is changed since we opened shop [&hellip;]
- [Welcome Josh!](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/welcome-josh/): The Media Link Software Team is thrilled to announce we have a new Content Specialist! Josh Boelter, welcome to our team! Josh Boelter is a writer, researcher and producer with experience in a variety of industries.  Josh’s career has taken him from marketing communications at a Silicon Valley startup, to writing a weekly newspaper column, to writing and producing PBS documentaries. Josh moved to the Quad Cities when his partner accepted a position at Augustana College in Rock Island.  “It’s fascinating working for a software company again after beginning my career in Silicon Valley,” he says. “It’s kind of a [&hellip;]
- [Welcome Lauren!!](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/welcome-lauren/): The Media Link Software Team is thrilled to announce we have a new Marketing Coordinator. Welcome to the team, Lauren! Lauren Alexis Wood is a graduate of the University of Iowa and Southern New Hampshire University. She comes to Media Link with an eclectic background spanning multiple industries. Having worked in healthcare, education and media sales, she brings a diverse mix of skills and experience to the team.&nbsp; &#8220;I&#8217;ve worked in media sales for a number of years, but never had an opportunity to see the other side of the business until now. Media Link Software makes the process so [&hellip;]
- [Happy 10-Year Anniversary to Media Link Software®](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/happy-10-year-anniversary-to-media-link-software/): Necessity is the mother of invention.  Media Link Software® founder and president Natalie Linville-Mass never intended to start a software company. She had enough on her plate running her own ad agency. Ultimately, it was her agency work that led her to the realization that she needed to start Media Link Software. At the time, media-buying software was a duopoly, controlled by two large companies. Licensing fees were high and went up 6% every year. For small businesses, it was a massive expense. The two available options also did not fit the needs of every agency, particularly boutique agencies. The [&hellip;]
- [Welcome Grace!!](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/welcome-grace/): The Media Link Software® Team is thrilled to announce we have officially found our Marketing Coordinator!  Grace Bradley-Leon, welcome to our team!  Grace is originally from Naperville, Illinois, and moved to the Quad Cities to start her first year at Augie and hasn’t left Rock Island, IL since. She is a recent Augustana College graduate with a major in communication studies. Throughout her College experience, Grace has been active in several organizations. Grace has been President of Enactus, an entrepreneurial organization which helps businesses with their advertising throughout the Quad Cities. She serves on the executive board of NAMI and [&hellip;]
- [Software Licenses – and why they truly matter](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/software-licenses-and-why-they-truly-matter/): There are many benefits to purchasing software licenses over physical software products. Here are our top 4 reasons why we at Media Link Software® are taking advantage of this customer-centric approach to providing services: 1. Reliability Licensed software come with automated updates and patches. There is no need to constantly check for new versions and add-ons which may not even be available for free. Simply pay the annual fee and enjoy a software which is always up to date; and don’t worry about any additional costs threatening to exceed your budget. 2. Cybersecurity Thanks to automated updates, there is no [&hellip;]
- [Embracing the Political Window](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/embracing-the-political-window/): With our home office located in the Quad Cities, Media Link Software® is part of an Illinois/Iowa bi-state market. So, we have political windows more often throughout the year and our political advertising seems to be twice as much as in other parts of the Country. So, needless to say its impact on available ad inventory is a central theme in 2020 with media in this area. In the United States, commercial broadcasters need to meet requirements to maintain their FCC licenses. They need to make time available to candidates running for federal office during defined political windows. Those candidates [&hellip;]
- [Evaluating OTT](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/evaluating-ott/): OTT advertising is now penetrating local markets to a substantial degree. So, what is OTT and how do you evaluate its virtues in comparison to other forms of media? Over the Top (OTT) Television is long form video content distributed through the internet and bypassing cable, satellite or broadcast transmission. It is distinct from both linear television and short form digital video like that available via YouTube. OTT video may be accessed on any device with an internet connection. However, because of the longer form nature of the content, it is more likely to be streamed to a larger monitor [&hellip;]
- [Diversity of Media Buying](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/diversity-of-media-buying/): Since Media Link Software® entered the market in 2011, we have encountered a wide variety of different ways people plan their media buys.&nbsp; So, in this blog, we would like to outline some of the basics about the different media buying philosophies. Programmatic Media Buying Programmatic advertising uses an element of automation to decide where to share advertising and make purchases in real time based upon pre-established targeting metrics. It is most commonly used in the digital space. Direct Response Direct Response strategies are all about getting a conversion on the spot. Future buys are then evaluated based on the [&hellip;]
- [How to Compare Advertising Across Different Types of Media](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/how-to-compare-advertising-across-different-types-of-media/): What is more valuable: 10,000 individuals exposed to an ad three times, 100 clicks on an ad or 5 acquisitions? How do you reflect the value of these different metrics of advertising and compare them with each other? Evaluating Media by CPM (and explain what CPM is) Comparing media proposals by CPM or Cost Per Thousand is one way to show a side by side comparison.&nbsp; With this method you divide the gross impressions of your proposal by the cost total price to the thousands place.&nbsp; This provides a quick way of comparing campaign elements across different media platforms like [&hellip;]
- [Gross Vs Net](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/gross-vs-net/): Most agencies offering media buying services are paid on a percentage basis.&nbsp; This means their customer pays the agency for the advertising schedule purchased and then the agency pays the advertising vendor the net cost of that schedule. &nbsp;The amount that the agency keeps is many times referred to as a commission or fee and it is calculated on a standard percentage. The net price or net rate is the amount an advertising vendor receives in exchange for delivering the ads to the public. &nbsp;However, because advertising agencies buy advertising schedules for many different customers or businesses, it is common [&hellip;]
- [How to Define Your Target Market](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/target-market/): Without a properly defined target audience any attempt to effectively spend and evaluate an advertising budget becomes more of a guessing game than a strategy, which is why Media Link Software® is utilized by advertising professionals to get the most bang for the buck. The first questions you should be asking include; Who are my best customers right now? Where do they live? What are their ages? Does this vary depending on which product/service they seek? If there are different audiences, can you group them into separate target markets? &nbsp; Research steps at this stage are crucial for long-term success. [&hellip;]
- [How Do You Calculate Rating Points from Impressions?](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/calculate-rating-points-from-impressions/): Occasionally, media buyers are presented with circulation information outside of the format they need for a particular application. Both Gross Impressions (GI’s) and Gross Rating Points (GRP’s) are frequently used to compare different options against each other or to evaluate an entire advertising budget across multiple media types. Media Link Software™ (MLS) does use these sorts of calculations on the schedules you build within the software, but buyers should be familiar with the formula in order to be prepared for scenarios where you require quick “napkin” evaluation. You only need two out of three factors- Gross Impressions, GRP’s, and the [&hellip;]
- [Shifting Advertising Landscape Pushes Marketers to New Platforms](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/shifting-advertising-landscape-pushes-marketers-to-new-platforms/): As marketers and advertisers, we are always trying to find new ways to satisfy consumer demands with content that is relevant, engaging and delivers our desired message. The dawn of the internet and social media has given us access to consumers in a way completely unheard of only a few decades ago. Digital and social media advertising seem to be in their heyday, but aren’t we always looking for the next best thing? There are a few platforms emerging as potential giants for our industry if harnessed correctly. According to Forbes, one of the biggest potentials is Virtual Reality (VR) [&hellip;]
- [3 Reasons to Use CPM When Buying Ad Space](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/3-reasons-to-use-cpm-when-buying-ad-space/)
- [Benefits of Software Licenses](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/benefits-of-software-licenses/): We all remember going to a store and buying a CD with a specific management software. We installed it, learned how it works (often using tiny booklets), and used it for a while. Returning to the store to purchase a new version every couple of years was a standard process. Now, software can be downloaded within minutes and updated the same way; however, the need to pay for updates or patches has remained. Software providers even started selling very basic versions to allow low pricing in order to lure clients into thinking they are getting a good deal, but many [&hellip;]
- [What to Watch Out for in 2019](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/what-to-watch-out-for-in-2019/): 2018 has been a transformative year for media buyers and marketers, and 2019 will certainly not be different. Even though we cannot predict the future, we did collect a couple of our favorite articles to help you be prepared for what is likely to happen this year: &nbsp; CMO CMO focuses on the analytical side by highlighting data-driven creativity, personalization, and account-based marketing. &nbsp; Digital Marketing Institute This article focuses on digital marketing trends, including audience shifts within Facebook/Instagram, Emails, and Voice Interaction. &nbsp; Entrepreneur This article focuses on 10 general trends, including the utilization of chatbots, the rise of [&hellip;]
- [Transparency Rules](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/transparency-rules/): The Media Buying industry has had a couple of rough years and an end is not in sight. It really started in 2016, when the Association of National Advertisers accused large national agencies of practices that are potentially harmful for their clients: “The report highlighted &#8216;non-transparent&#8217; practices, including agencies&#8217; collection of cash rebates from media vendors to selling research services that don&#8217;t have much value as a way for media to send a check to an agency and get free media inventory credits.” Similar accusations have persisted until today. Federal prosecutors are said to currently probe agencies to look into [&hellip;]
- [We Listen](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/we-listen/): We all know the feeling when your software just doesn’t want to do what you need it to do. The entire issue can probably be solved with a simple fix, but how do you make a corporation realize that? And that’s how Media Link Software® is different! We listen to our users and strive to prioritize suggested upgrades – no matter how small. Within the last 60 days, customer feedback alone resulted in the following upgrades – and these don’t include our regular updates: Added daypart options Added windows supporting above daypart options feature Added vendors whose invoices can be [&hellip;]
- [New Feature: Post-Buy Analysis](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/new-feature-post-buy-analysis/): You invest numerous hours in planning a sophisticated multi-media campaign and even more when it comes to organizing the buys. You see the campaign starting, observe results and celebrate its last day. Now it’s time for the post-buy analysis. Many media buyers are overwhelmed by the amount of data they need to process for this analysis which is why Media Link Software® added a new post-buy analysis feature. It allows you speed up the entire process and create a final report. The report compares the initial order with the actual results and displays information like GRPs. We would like to [&hellip;]
- [Data Visualization in the Media Buying Industry](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/data-visualization-in-the-media-buying-industry/): Big Data is one of the many buzzwords we encounter. Contrary to some, big data is indeed an area vital to the development of businesses and the economy as a whole. Modern technologies allow us to collect specific information about (potential) clients’ behaviors and daily routines. The result are spreadsheets full of data points and many questions. Visualizing Big Data can provide a quick and intuitive understanding about behaviors, trends, and correlations. They allow us to focus on certain facets and to answer each question one after the other. Needless to say, we at Media Link Software® are contributing as [&hellip;]
- [There’s a Fresh Face at Media Link Software®!](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/theres-a-fresh-face-at-media-link-software/): We first brought Gabriel on as an intern a little over a year ago and he quickly began learning the ropes of Media Link Software® and working in the media planning and buying industry. Starting with just a few basic proposals and formatting avails, Gabriel soon moved onto helping develop campaigns, create broadcast schedules and shadowing demonstration webinars. After the conclusion of his summer internship, we brought Gabriel on part-time to help out further, while he finished his senior year at Augustana College here in Rock Island. He kept up his hard work through participating in client communications, demonstrations and [&hellip;]
- [An Intern’s Perspective (Blake)](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/an-interns-perspective-blake/): Working with Media Link Software® (MLS) made everything much easier than I was thinking it would have to be.  It became so easy to create anything from TV avails to advertising proposals.  A lot of work has gone into getting the Software to work properly and without all that work organizing campaigns would take much longer to do.  Media Link Software® allows for that one stop where you can create all the campaigns you want to be able to create campaigns for outdoor, TV, and even online and publications.  I had no prior experience setting up campaigns or creating proposals, [&hellip;]
- [The Twitter Effect](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/the-twitter-effect/): Organizing paid media campaigns requires time and attention to detail. We segment our target audience, carefully select appropriate platforms and start weaving through our options. The creative concept becomes a final ad or spot and the research and planning of your media outreach results in placed orders. Let’s take a moment to enjoy the campaign launch. Now, it’s time for our friends in social media! They are the infantry spreading the word online, creating hashtags and responding to comments. Thanks to Twitter and company, everyone can immediately communicate their opinion publicly and for everybody to see. The temporary change of [&hellip;]
- [New Features – May 2018](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/new-features-may-2018/): Over the past couple of months, Media Link Software® has been working tirelessly to bring you brand new, cutting edge software updates to simplify your media buys more than ever! From creating and organizing make goods to live updates of orders, we are proud to have created some real game changers! In the world of media, it’s no secret TV buys can be frustrating, especially when spots continually run incorrectly, get pushed, and make goods pile up as a consequence. As part of our mission to simplify media buys across all platforms, we have not only implemented the ability to [&hellip;]
- [Shifting Advertising Landscape Pushes Marketers to New Platforms](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/904-2/): As marketers and advertisers, we are always trying to find new ways to satisfy consumer demands with content that is relevant, engaging and delivers our desired message. The dawn of the internet and social media has given us access to consumers in a way completely unheard of only a few decades ago. Digital and social media advertising seem to be in their heyday, but aren’t we always looking for the next best thing? There are a few platforms emerging as potential giants for our industry if harnessed correctly. According to Forbes, one of the biggest potentials is Virtual Reality (VR) [&hellip;]
- [Agency Discount Rates](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/agency-discount-rates/): Amongst Media Link Software’s® more recent updates was a remodeling of how the system handles agency commission/discount rates. Most media buyers that operate out of agencies are paid based upon the volume of the buys being placed rather than an hour fee. In turn, many vendors selling advertising space provide equivalent discounts to the agency. The inspiration for the upgrades we added to Media Link Software® came as we encountered more scenarios under which an unusual commission/discount rate may have needed to be applied that is different from the default. Perhaps it’s such a small buy that it warrants a [&hellip;]
- [Super Bowl](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/super-bowl/): Even in a down year more than 103 million people watched the Super Bowl on NBC this year to say nothing of international broadcasts or the trouble calculating the impact of watch parties. During the second quarter, announcers Al Michaels and Chris Collinsworth threw to a break that at least in many markets turned out to be nothing more than dead air. 20 or so seconds later the game picked up with a wide shot. So what happened? NBC PR released a statement stating: &#8220;We had a brief equipment failure that we quickly resolved. No game action or commercial time [&hellip;]
- [Customer Service Is King](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/customer-service-king/): What sets Media Link Software® apart from the competition?  Our customer service!  What really matters most is how accurate is the information and what kind of service and support is provided.  As a media buying agency, we created Media Link Software® with those core principles in mind.  Our software was developed to be competitive in price and our goal is to be second to none in customer service.  We offer continuous service after the sale and are a very responsive team.  We don’t put you on hold, we don’t have a pricing scale for customer service issues and answer any issues within [&hellip;]
- [Marketing Trends for 2018](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/marketing-trends-2018/): With 2018 right around the corner, most marketers and their agencies have already begun considering the moves they will make to capture their audience’s attention. Polls of agencies within the industry show a strong and deliberate trend towards three major themes: Content Marketing, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence/ Machine learning. Staying on the cutting edge of these developments in the coming year may prove to be vital in holding consumer’s attention, but, more importantly, they will help marketers provide their audiences with the personalized, engaging experience they have been craving. Engagement fuels all digital communications. We are quickly seeing the [&hellip;]
- [Internship Experience: Tan](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/internship-experience-tan/): I have been a software developer intern for Media Link Software® (MLS) since the summer of 2017. The focus of my internship is working on the back-end to improve MLS features and efficiency. I am having a wonderful experience working with the Media Link Software® team. All the people in the office, from my supervisor to the coworkers and other interns, are very friendly, professional, and helpful. They not only help me learn my job in the internship program, but also help me be more confident in the working environment. In this internship, my main focus has been improving the [&hellip;]
- [Multi-platform Reports](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/multi-platform-reports/): Earlier this year, we talked about how transparency and documentation reduce mistakes and create trust necessary for productive business relationships between agencies and clients, and agencies and vendors. Being able to create (multi-platform) reports becomes essential in this regard, which is why Media Link Software™ allows you to download and print a variety of reports. &nbsp; Proposal and Orders Proposals and orders include typical client and vendor information, instructions, disclaimers, performance metrics, flight/spot data, and pricing information. They make sure everybody knows exactly how much was ordered when, how, and for how long. Monthly Reports Monthly reports provide an overview of [&hellip;]
- [Media Link Software – An Intern’s Perspective (Gabe)](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/media-link-software-interns-perspective-gabe/): As quickly as the marketing landscape and consumer preferences are changing, efficient and effective media buying is vital to ensure your message is heard. Keeping advertising campaigns up-to-date, organized and consistent can prove to be a challenge when you are balancing print, radio, TV and social media, especially if you don’t have intuitive media buying tools. Prior to working with Media Link Software™, I had very little experience with any sort of media buying software, so I had no point of comparison and thus was a blank slate. What struck me first about Media Link Software is the level of [&hellip;]
- [Media Buying in the Digital Realm -  Challenges Ahead](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/media-buying-digital-realm-challenges-ahead/): CPC, CPM, CPV, CPA, etc. Most media buyers know what to look for when it comes to buying digital; however, bidding models have been becoming more and more versatile over the years. About time for a brief update on the digital ad landscape and its bidding models. &nbsp; Facebook Facebook video ads can now be purchased on both a CPM and CPV basis. Facebook defines views using a 10-second threshold. Their new canvas ads use a CPC model, which counts how many people are opening the ad, but you won’t get charged if someone clicks a call-to-action button within the [&hellip;]
- [Industry News: Online Video Ads](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/industry-news-online-video-ads/): We all know online ads are becoming more and more dominant year by year.  This especially applies to online video ads! Industry experts expect the viewing of videos on fixed devices (desktop, TV, etc.) to rise by 2% in 2017 (averaging 18.6 minutes per day). Annually, the spend is expected to reach the $15 billion threshold. Viewing videos on mobile devices will rise by an astonishing 35% in 2017 or an average of 28.8 minutes per day. Annually, the spend will reach up to $12 billion. These figures clearly mirror the fact that videos on fixed devices are still more [&hellip;]
- [Transparency and Documentation](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/transparency-and-documentation/): Transparency and documentation in the advertising and communications industry has never been as important as today. Many campaigns start with an organization and its advertising agency defining a budget and media mix. The agency then contacts vendors, negotiates pricing and other terms, and presents proposals to the client. The outcomes of this process are the orders that make up the campaign. The agency sends these order to all vendors, which may include an additional step of negotiation. The vendor then provides the details of these orders to other internal departments responsible for executing these orders. Once, the campaign is running, [&hellip;]
- [Embrace the Unforeseeable](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/embrace-the-unforeseeable/): There is no doubt a vast majority of media buyers must like the rush and volatility of the media world. It is a constant challenge reminding us to always stay up to date with recent developments and to critically observe them. This doesn&#8217;t only apply to the digital realm as so many claim; there is much volatility and progress in traditional media as well. Sinclair Broadcast Group, the top dog of local television, just announced a merger with Tribune Media for $3.9 billion. According to the Pew Research Center, the majority of adults in the US are still getting their [&hellip;]
- [Importing Affidavits](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/importing-affidavits/): Being able to verify ordered spots ran correctly is a vital element for media buyers.  About 30-40% of what is ordered runs wrong in this field. Media buys are prone to human error, technical errors and programming changes. Spots may run a few minutes too late and be placed in another program, the negotiated pricing gets lost during the process, added value is missed, or program changes are not communicated properly. Making sure the client receives what is ordered is necessary for any successful campaign when it comes to any media campaign. Comparing the spots ordered to the spots that [&hellip;]
- [Welcome!](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/welcome/): We are pleased to welcome Jennifer Carter to our team! She brings over 20 years of combined marketing, sales, customer service, event planning, and management experience to Media Link Software™.  Jennifer graduated from Bellevue University in Omaha with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management. Prior to joining  Media Link Software™ , Jennifer had a successful career working with Lee Enterprises for 12 years; 4 of those years at The Pantagraph in Bloomington, Illinois and 8 most recently at the Quad-City Times in Davenport, Iowa.   Over the years, Jennifer has taken on multiple roles in advertising sales and sales management. She [&hellip;]
- [Equal Treatment for Media](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/equal-treatment-media/): There are several media buying software options out there, but what sets Media Link Software™ apart from the rest of the pack? Coming from a print and digital only background, I was used to seeing agencies track broadcast buys as well as radio and digital ads, but not print.   There really didn’t seem to be an easy and seamless way to track print, so my experience was that a lot agencies didn’t buy it. Whenever I am purchasing anything, the first thing I consider is how easy it is to work with and how much does it cost?  Now that [&hellip;]
- [A Year of Updates in Review](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/year-updates-review/): We at Media Link Software™ are proud about our commitment to listening to the needs of our clients. This feedback allows us to make Media Link Software™ more customer-friendly and make sure it is up to the highest standards. We believe every little improvement makes a difference, so we wanted to look back at a few selected changes made in 2016. We began the year by restructuring how boards in Outdoor are sorted We made several improvements in our cross media reports section for ease of use. We added a feature to be able to create a program from within [&hellip;]
- [Total Audience Measurement](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/total-audience-measurement/): Nielsen has been the dominant entity measuring TV ratings for decades. These ratings have determined the rise and fall of programs and they have become a trusted guide for media buyers. Recent years raised the question of whether Nielsen ratings are still able to sufficiently measure the entire audience anymore. People cited the rise of SVOD platforms, such as Hulu and Netflix, online platforms such as YouTube, and channels&#8217; websites where you can occasionally watch partial or even complete episodes. According to Nielsen, only approx. 15% of the 25-34 demographic is watching the live airing of favorite TV shows compared [&hellip;]
- [Media Link Software™ is celebrating its 5th anniversary!](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/media-link-software-celebrating-5th-anniversary/): Media Link Software™ was born out of a need &#8211; the need for a platform enabling buyers to professionally compare media across the board to develop sophisticated multi-media campaigns. Natalie Linville-Mass, a dedicated advertising professional, took on this challenge after experiencing plenty of frustration with established media buying software systems in the market. &#8220;As with most advertising buyers, we need a software to be able to compare, plan and buy for all media,&#8221; Natalie stressed. She was right! A dedicated team consisting of media buyers and IT specialists came together and developed a groundbreaking software considering the media buyer&#8217;s perspective [&hellip;]
- [Meet our Programmers: Brad Sapp](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/meet-programmers-brad-sapp/): We at Media Link Software would like to introduce you to the people making the magic happen: our software developers Brad, Mitch, Dylan, and Chris! This month, we will focus on Brad. Brad graduated from Trevecca Nazarene College, worked as a (Creative) Web Developer and Web Engineer, and has more than 6 years of experience creating apps and other kinds of software. His strengths are php/mysql and front end (html/css/jquery), but he also enjoys working with Apache, Ajax, Java Script, and OOP. Brad has the heart of a teacher and enjoys not only making clients&#8217; dreams a reality, but also [&hellip;]
- [New Features](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/new-features/): We are proud to announce the new features we’ve added to Media Link Software™ this month. We have added Gross Impressions in as a column for Broadcast avails, as well as in our orders and proposals. The next new feature is a bit of a magic act. You now have the ability to make columns and areas disappear (hide) with the click of a mouse for both avails and orders. In all of our modules (Cable, Digital, Publications, Outdoor, Radio, and Television) when you click on an icon near the area you want it shows or hide that area for [&hellip;]
- [An Intern&#039;s Perspective](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/interns-perspective-2-2/): I came into my internship for Media Link Software ™ a timid and inexperienced college student. I did not want to ask too many questions because I felt it would look bad. I was wrong. I was blown away by the support and experience I gained in my short time with the company. I could not have asked for a better work environment and colleagues for an internship experience. My main task was researching ways to import affidavits into Media Link Software™. First, through trial and error I attempted to standardize affidavits so that the pertinent information for each different [&hellip;]
- [Importing Avails and Invoices](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/avails/): Interning at Media Link Software™ is a great experience. Most of what I am doing during my time here involves equations, numbers, and matching. I have been tasked with assisting in the research of importing affidavits directly into the Media Link Software™, so clients might save an immense amount of time. Manually submitting invoices and affidavits is an extremely tedious task that takes time and patience, especially with a large order. In order to import these documents effectively, I need to extract data and match all of the different variables through different formulas in Microsoft Excel®. Much like interpreting different spoken languages [&hellip;]
- [Media Link Software introduces its newest member](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/media-link-software-introduces-newest-member/): Welcome Marketing Assistant, Ben Wildner, to our Media Link Software team. Ben graduated from Drake University with a BSBA and double majors in Marketing with a concentration in Integrated Marketing Communications and a second major in Radio/TV Production. He originates from Muskego, Wisconsin, and is quickly becoming a part of the local sports scene as an official and is growing more involved with additional community organizations. He is a member of the Project Management Institute and the National Association of Sports Officials. Ben has had communications experience working in government organizations, non-profits large and small, health care, television and radio. [&hellip;]
- [Why have media buying software?](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/why-have-media-buying-software/): Media buying is not an easy task. At Media Link Software™ we understand Media buys and the needs of the media buyer. In this competitive market place having the ability to access data and make analyses quickly and efficiently can make a huge difference in the success of a marketing campaign. Developed by an agency for agencies; our software was designed to fill a void in the advertising industry between the needs of media buyers and what was being provided by other media buying software developers. We make Media Link Software™ an affordable solution for the needs of media buyers. [&hellip;]
- [Learning Our Software](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/learning-our-software/): Since the beginning Media Link Software™ has been made to be as intuitive as possible. From start to finish, campaigns are easily managed. Everything from adding campaign details and avails to checking your affidavits is as easy as clicking on the next tab. Consistency is another key part of Media Link Software™. The way you input avails and set up a buy is cohesive throughout the entire process.  If you understand how to input avails into TV then you are able to do avails in radio, cable, publications, outdoor, online and even for specialty items. This consistency makes buying across [&hellip;]
- [Post Buy Analysis – to ensure you receive the ratings you deserve](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/post-buy-analysis-to-ensure-you-receive-the-ratings-you-deserve/): Media Link Software™ ensures you are not leaving any money on the table, by offering media buyers the ability to engage in our Post-Buy analysis, a feature many clients have been enjoying. This function allows you to generate a report, compare the actual ratings of your buys to the original projections. With this feature, you can effectively measure the performance of your purchased schedule. Most station partners will agree to Post-Buys, as long as you give notification prior to negotiation. To ensure you get what you have ordered, our media buying software’s Post-Buy report clearly outlines any Gross Rating Points [&hellip;]
- [Media “Shopping”](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/media-shopping/): Media buying is similar to online shopping: you only want to pay for what you have actually ordered. When you shop online, you probably will not pay for items shipped in the wrong size, the wrong color, or delayed items. The same applies to media buying. Why pay for spots that ran in the wrong program or on the wrong date? However, when you have ordered several dozen spots in several different programs or advertisements in different newspapers and on different days, tracking all of them is often difficult and confusing. Media Link Software TM can assist you with tracking [&hellip;]
- [Powerful and Flexible](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/powerful-and-flexible/): Media Link Software™ is a Media Buying Software that is both powerful and flexible.  The power of this software lies in its ability to facilitate ad buying in every media: television, cable, radio, publication, outdoor and online. You can even include special promotions and sponsorships in the specialty advertising section. Using unique media buying formulas, Media Link Software™ provides calculations for ratings, reach, frequency, CPM/CPP, as well as the other important industry measurements. Media Link Software™ also provides flexibility, so different agencies can report the way that they want to report. You decide what to display and what not to [&hellip;]
- [Mac vs PC](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/mac-vs-pc/): Not only is Media Link Software™ web based, our software is compatible with both Mac and PC operating systems. The ease of use across both systems allows for the user to be mobile and flexible with their location and computer while putting together proposals and orders. Also, you don’t have to worry about converting to and learning a completely different operating system. The fact that Media Link Software™ is web based means you, as a media buyer, are not tied to a desk or a certain computer. Anywhere you have internet access, you can log onto Media Link Software™. For [&hellip;]
- [Watch Us Work Hard for You](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/watch-us-work-hard-for-you/): We have recently added a new feature to Media Link Software™:  the Heat Map. The Heat Map is a visual map enabling you to track our work on the software. For instance, we just recently added new options for Radio and TV stations in avails and improved CPP and CPM calculations. Many of these changes are the results of users&#8217; requests. Here at Media Link Software™ we still listen. Call us immediately if you have an issue and we will take care of it. Also let us know if you have suggestions on how to improve MLS further. We believe [&hellip;]
- [Broadcast Avails and Proposals](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/broadcast-avails-and-proposals/): How long does it take you to upload broadcast avails of just a single TV station into your media buying software? How many TV stations are you considering on average and over how many quarters? Add these hours to the equation and imagine what else you could have done with all of this time, or how much this time would cost your company. We had exactly the same experience and decided it was time for a change! Our software, Media Link Software™ is able to quickly upload avails that are preformatted in excel files. Once a file is formatted, you [&hellip;]
- [Why Use Media Buying Software?](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/why-use-media-buying-software-2/): Media buying software provides numerous advantages over ad buying without. Buying media with Media Link Software™ helps advertising agencies do the following: Maximize marketing dollars with strategic media buying software. Store vital information and enjoy peace of mind utilizing a secure web-based server. Negotiate smarter buys using the latest industry formulas for reach and frequency. Save time and resources required to process orders. Gain more effective campaigns and happier clients from the data-driven decisions you can make with this product. &nbsp; Buying by Gut  You’re prone to missing great opportunities beyond the ‘usual suspects.’ This usually results in too much [&hellip;]
- [Understanding a Software](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/understanding-a-software/): By: Zack Wheeler Sometimes it can be scary trying to learn something new.  On the first day I started my internship with Media Link, they said they created their own software that they work with every day.  I was a little nervous.  I am a marketing major, not a computer science major, and sometimes learning new software can take me a while. As I started to be assigned projects and shown how to use the software to finish my projects, I began to pick up this software very quickly.  By the time I was just a couple of weeks into [&hellip;]
- [An Intern’s Perspective](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/an-interns-perspective/): In the classic movie Good Will Hunting, Will was a kid with a genius level IQ and nothing could get by him. When discussing art on a park bench with his therapist, Michelangelo was brought up. Will would probably know everything about the artist; his artwork, political aspirations, relationship with the Pope, etc. Then his therapist told him that he does not know what Michelangelo’s work is really like because he has never actually experienced what it is like to be inside the Sistine Chapel and look at the artwork and take in the atmosphere. Now I am not saying [&hellip;]
- [Newest Addition to the Team](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/newest-addition-to-the-team/): We proudly announce our newest addition to our Media Link Software™ team: Marketing Assistant, Adrian Wille. After years of living in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East, Adrian decided to settle here in the Quad Cities in late 2013. He is an MA graduate with an economics, business and marketing background.  His strategic and analytical approach to his work is a real plus. “Adrian’s background and his zest for learning brings a lot of energy to our office.  We’re excited to have him here.  His interdisciplinary thinking is a welcome complement to our team,” says Natalie Linville-Mass, President [&hellip;]
- [Circulation and Readership](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/circulation-and-readership/): As a (soon to be) college graduate, interning at an advertising agency has been an enlightening experience. One of the bigger takeaways I&#8217;ve had is the different vernacular used by media buyers and those selling media. The two that really stood out to me were &#8220;readership&#8221; and &#8220;circulation&#8221;. They originally seemed like they could be used interchangeably, but through my internship, I learned about the differences. Readership and Circulation help publications, such as newspaper and magazines, decide the cost of advertising. Advertisers also look at these numbers when they are looking to improve the visibility of their product or service. [&hellip;]
- [Make Goods and Media Buying](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/make-goods-and-media-buying/): Make Goods can be stressful things, but Media Link Software™ helps facilitate the process for media buyers. Creating a Make Good or credit request in our software is similar to creating an order, but EASIER. A few simple clicks is all it takes and your missed spot report is ready to go. Media Link Software™ allows you to add spots to an order to accommodate those that were missed and ensures your money is spent as originally agreed upon. For our team personally, the ease of use for this process was a blessing while trying to follow the trail of [&hellip;]
- [Streaming Services and Media Buying](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/streaming-services-and-media-buying/): Streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV are changing the way consumers watch TV. Long gone are the days of families sitting down in the evenings to watch their favorite show. Now-a-days consumers can catch their favorite show on their own timetable. You are able to watch a program that used to run strictly during Prime Programming, anytime and binge to catch up on a season in one sitting. This is changing how we, as media buyers, purchase advertising. We&#8217;ve seen the focus shift from wanting, if not needing, to be in Prime Programming, to a [&hellip;]
- [Why did we develop our of software system?](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/develop-software-system/): Frustrated with the limitations and deficiencies found in other leading media buying systems, Media Link Software™ founder, Natalie Linville-Mass, decided to tackle the problem head-on with the creation of her own advanced media buying software. Giving small to mid sized agencies alternatives to consider as well as the same tools and resources needed to compete on a larger scale. Our web-based media buying platform enables fluid clarity and confidence in buys, with no burdensome workarounds. Media Link Software™ serves to provide media buyers and advertising agencies the tools they need to provide clients with optimal effectiveness.  In addition to automating [&hellip;]
- [Custom Markets](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/custom-markets/): Media buyers who subscribe to ratings services like Nielsen know those subscriptions come attached with a pretty hefty price tag. Coupled with license fees for media buying software, purchasing multiple markets can quickly become an overwhelming annual expense. Most smaller to mid-size agencies simply don&#8217;t have the extra funds available to justify such an expenditure, although they recognize the importance of being able to effectively measure consumer viewing behavior, trends and demographics to keep up with the changing media landscape. Media Link Software™ helps those who subscribe to limited markets, or can&#8217;t afford the luxury of ratings services. We have [&hellip;]
- [Buying By Gut](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/buying-gut/): Media buying software provides numerous advantages over ad buying without software. Buying media with Media Link Software™ helps advertising agencies do the following: &#8211; Maximize marketing dollars with strategic media buying software. &#8211; Store vital information and enjoy peace of mind utilizing a secure web-based server. &#8211; Negotiate smarter buys using industry formulas for reach and frequency. &#8211; Sort Nielsen subscription ratings data for more accurate projections. &#8211; Save time and resources required to process orders. &#8211; Gain more effective campaigns and happier clients from the data-driven decisions you can make with this product. Buying by Gut You’re prone to [&hellip;]

## Pages

- [Free Demo - Thank You](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/free-demo-thank-you/): Get a Free 1 on 1 Demo Thank you for reaching out to us. Someone on our team will be in touch with you within the next business day.
- [Free Demo](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/free-demo/): Get a Free 1 on 1 Demo We’re happy to schedule a live one on one demo with you to see if this software is a fit for your company. Our demos last around an hour to give you a full tour of the software and to answer any questions you have along the way. Please fill out the information below and we’ll respond with a list of available dates and times on our side. We look forward to meeting you! Name(Required) First Last Email(Required) Enter Email Confirm Email Phone(Required)CommentsPlease let us know what&#039;s on your mind. Have a question [&hellip;]
- [Software News](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/academy/software-news/): Software News Read the latest news on what’s new and coming soon at Media Link Software®. Search Popular Keywords Categories Total Results No Record Found View All Results
- [Media Planning and Buying Tips](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/academy/media-planning-and-buying-tips/): Media Planning and Buying Tips Staying on the cutting edge of marketing trends to keep your agency and in-house buying team engaged and gives you a competitive advantage. Learn how Media Link Software® can help you stay on top of these trends. Search Popular Keywords Categories Total Results No Record Found View All Results
- [Custom Reports](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/academy/custom-reports/): Custom Campaigns and Reports Every agency works differently and has different needs. This extends to our work within the agency and to the reports we share with our clients. Create custom reports to share what’s needed for each individual client. Search Popular Keywords Categories Total Results No Record Found View All Results
- [Marketing Trends](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/academy/marketing-trends/): Marketing Trends Staying on the cutting edge of marketing trends to keep your agency and in-house buying team engaged and gives you a competitive advantage. Learn how Media Link Software® can help you stay on top of these trends. Search Popular Keywords Categories Total Results No Record Found View All Results
- [Specialty](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/academy/specialty/): Specialty Agencies often need to buy promotional items for their clients, but have a hard time formatting these types of buys with traditional advertising categories. Media Link Software® can help with organizing a buy for t-shirts used at a trade show or branded toys to use in giveaways. We give you the tools to create and repeat those buys just like any other category. Search Popular Keywords Categories Total Results No Record Found View All Results
- [Online](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/academy/online/): Online Digital media is crucial in today’s ad buying landscape. Learn tips for creating custom campaigns across social media and digital platforms here. Search Popular Keywords Categories Total Results No Record Found View All Results
- [Outdoor](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/academy/outdoor/): Outdoor Billboards, posters on street corners, ad buys on park benches, and other outdoor ad buys are critical to getting eyes on your ads. Media Link Software® has you covered. You can customize your buys down to precise locations to get eyes on out of home ads during peak drive times to get the most out of your buys. Search Popular Keywords Categories Total Results No Record Found View All Results
- [Publications](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/academy/publications/): Publications Print advertising is still an effective platform for media buys and can still stand toe-to-toe with newer forms of advertising. We keep up with the changes in print advertising to keep your buys competitive. Search Popular Keywords Categories Total Results No Record Found View All Results
- [Radio](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/academy/radio/): Radio Radio is still king for many demographics, and a huge part of agency ad buys. Make the most of your radio buys and fine tune your campaigns to capture the demos that matter most to your clients. Search Popular Keywords Categories Total Results No Record Found View All Results
- [Newsletter](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/newsletter/): Newsletter Name(Required) First Last Email(Required) Enter Email Confirm Email Free one-on-one Media Link Software® Demo Click Here Media Link Software has been instrumental in optimizing our media planning and improving our control and campaign tracking. Our clients are impressed with the accurate results and the way we have been professionally delivering them.&#8221; MIGUEL ESPINOSAConexus Advertising Group &#8220;Media Link Software made planning and organizing campaigns much easier when needing to see the whole picture. It is a great tool allowing us to easily create markets and import buys into the system to see the total delivery of our campaigns.&#8221; BRIAN DIETRICHCrane [&hellip;]
- [Cable](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/academy/cable/): Cable Cable isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Take advantage of one of the strongest ad spaces in the most efficient way possible. Learn how Media Link Software® can turn your cable buys into winning campaigns for your clients. Search Popular Keywords Categories Total Results No Record Found View All Results
- [TV](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/academy/tv/): TV Ad buying for traditional television has never been easier or more customizable. You choose when and during what shows you want to place your ad buys, and have access to the latest demographic information, so you know you’re getting your buys where they’ll be seen Search Popular Keywords Categories Total Results No Record Found View All Results
- [Blog](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/blog/)
- [Advantages for In-House Media Buyers](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/marketing-professionals/): Advantages for In-House Media Buyers Our software is tailored for those working within a single company and managing media buys across multiple U.S. markets, these features maximize your efficiency and accuracy. Maximize Opportunity With a Suite of Tools We offer the tools you need to speed up the analysis, placement and payments across all types of media. We have the resources to assist you with any campaign, so you can use your time and money more efficiently. Simple Interface Media Link Software® focuses on a straightforward approach to in-depth analysis. You work hard to be transparent, so you should operate [&hellip;]
- [Media Link Software for Agencies](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/media-link-software-for-agencies/): Advantages for Agency Buyers For agencies managing multiple clients and campaigns, Media Link Software® offers tools designed to simplify complex workflows, improve efficiency, and ensure precise, data-driven media buys. Here’s how our software specifically supports the needs of agency buyers Cross Media Integration Many media-buying platforms are laser-focused on one particular type of planning and buying. Media Link Software® believes a full-service agency should be equipped to evaluate and present on television, cable, publications, out of home, radio, digital and more. Our Cross- Media Report combines all these elements for a condensed view including reach, frequency, and CPM metrics. Flexibility [&hellip;]
- [Advantages for In-House Buyers](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/features/advantages-for-in-house-buyers/): Advantages for In-House Buyers Make Every Buy Count Scrutinize the performance of every option quickly, instead of relying on your instinct. Stop struggling through labor intensive manual tasks. Your time is precious and your dollars are in demand. Use them as wisely as possible. Achieve Maximum ROI Through a deeper, user-friendly, analysis you will find the best fitting campaigns for your goals. Low Pricing Our competitive pricing is designed to ensure you are rewarded the longer you stay with us and your base pricing will not increase. Developed for Buyers, by Buyers Media Link Software® was created by a Midwestern [&hellip;]
- [Advantages for Non-Agency Buyers](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/advantages-for-non-agency-buyers/)
- [The Integrated Buying Process](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/features/the-integrated-buying-process/): The Integrated Buying Process Complete In-Depth Analysis Media Link Software® is built on a philosophy that every dollar should be spent as efficiently as possible and every placement meticulously tracked, regardless of your budget size or media type. Our analytical tools allow you to go in depth, to better demonstrate to your stakeholders the value of each campaign. Side by Side Comparisons Buyers looking to build budgets with many different media types, compare those options against one another and then evaluate how they all work together will love our integrated buying tools. Cross Media Reports Our platforms allow you to [&hellip;]
- [The Comparative Buyer’s Advantage](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/features/the-comparative-buyers-advantage/): The Comparative Buyer’s Advantage Import Invoices At Media Link Software®, you can import PDF invoices from your vendors and have them automatically compare against your order to speed processing and identification of discrepancies. Quickly create a Missed Spot Report to negotiate credits and make goods. Make Good Tracking Keeping make-goods on top of make-goods straight is cumbersome and an easy way to make mistakes. However, with tracking by Media Link Software®, you will have a live version of your order to hel Evaluate by Reach/Frequency Use Media Link Software® to evaluate your options quickly and precisely. Our system is designed [&hellip;]
- [Media Buying](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/media-buying/)
- [Our Story](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/our-story/): Our Story Agency Born, Agency Raised Media Link Software® was developed by the advertising agency, Media Link, Inc., in 2010. Necessity is the mother of invention, and when Media Link couldn’t find a media-buying software package that worked for the agency, Media Link President, Natalie Linville-Mass, knew she had to invent a new media buying software package. The media-buying software industry has always needed a platform for the type of buyer who is primarily focused on getting the most out of every buy,&#8221; says Natalie. “I wanted to make sure there was an alternative software for our industry with tools [&hellip;]
- [Contact](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/contact-us/): Contact and Support Here you’ll find a collection of blogs, articles, and tips on planning, negotiating and buying media with Media Link Software®. As an agency-owned software company, we are continually learning and evolving as our field evolves and changes, this collection demonstrates the power and flexibility of Media Link Software®. Support As buyers, our team members use Media Link Software® every day. If you need help, you won&#8217;t be reaching a call center; you will have a media planner who is there when you call. We&#8217;ve seen it all and we can fix it fast. Call Support Now: 207.212.5465 [&hellip;]
- [Academy](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/academy/): The Academy Here you’ll find a collection of blogs, articles, and tips on planning, negotiating and buying media with Media Link Software®. As an agency-owned software company, we are continually learning and evolving as our field evolves and changes, this collection demonstrates the power and flexibility of Media Link Software®. Television Ad buying for traditional television has never been easier or more customizable. You choose when and during what shows you want to place your ad buys, and have access to the latest demographic information, so you know you’re getting your buys where they’ll be seen Read More About TV [&hellip;]
- [FAQ](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/faq/): FAQ What kind of media buys can I organize with Media Link Software®? Media Link Software® can be used for television, cable, theater, radio, outdoor, print, online, and specialty media campaigns involving collateral materials (including t-shirts, pens, etc.). Do you offer software demonstrations? We offer free, customized webinars, so you can see the power and flexibility of the software firsthand from an agency buyer who uses it on a daily basis. Media Link Software® licenses include training sessions and unlimited customer support. Can Media Link Software® reconcile broadcast invoices? Yes! Media Link Software® compares station invoices to original orders, live [&hellip;]
- [Pricing](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/pricing/): Pricing Pricing Calculator Download the MLS Pricing Guide Step 1 of 5 20% Media Link Software&#8217;s® basic price is $4,000 per year ($333.33/month). As long as you remain with Media Link Software®, you will remain at this rate. As always, feel free to call us at to speak with one of our trained media specialists. We are happy to answer your 207.212.5465 questions. Please click continue to calculate your price. Agreement Continue Product NameHow Many Users Will You Need?12345678910111213141516171819202122232425Each License automatically comes with 3 users. Each added user is an additional $50 per month.Total Support is Free Personal and Unlimited [&hellip;]
- [About](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/about/)
- [Features](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/features/): Media Link Software’s® Features Analysis Tools Use MLS&#8217; easy-to-use analysis tools to wow your clients by getting them more with every buy. Plan Across All Media Evaluate your options from TV, Streaming, and Outdoor to Publications, Radio and Digital all in one platform. You can even use Media Link Software® to evaluate and track Specialty orders such as t-shirts for trade shows. One-on-One Support Enjoy free, unlimited one-on-one training and support with an agency buyer who uses the system every day. Save Time Speed up your process by importing avails, automatically checking invoices, and using our make-good tracking system, our [&hellip;]
- [Home](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/): Media-Buying Software That Makes Sense Media Link Software® is a customizable media buying system designed for agencies, by an agency. With decades of media buying experience, we understand the needs of agencies and in-house buyers. So, we designed Media Link Software® to be efficient and easy to learn. Our system is intuitive to media buyers, because it was designed out of necessity by media buyers. Media Link Software® tracks all forms of media and createscross-platform reports. Features include uploading avails, sorting tools to develop proposals and orders faster, automatic invoice checking and a tracking system formultiple generations of make-goods. Advantages [&hellip;]
- [Privacy Policy](https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com/privacy-policy/): Privacy Policy Who we are Our website address is: https://darkslateblue-squid-888194.hostingersite.com. Comments When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment. Media If you upload [&hellip;]


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