ARN, at its Sydney upfront event, announced a string of new data partnerships and a next-generation adtech stack designed to give advertisers more advanced targeting.
In 2026, iHeart is evolving its first-party data strategy to deliver deeper audience intelligence, to unlock access to “deep behavioural insight”.
The broadcaster will expand listener addressability across the iHeart Network by implementing a next-generation data lakehouse on Azure Databricks and Microsoft Fabric, and launch a customer data platform for advanced audience building.
ARN also announced two new partnerships with Westpac DataX and Experian, which will complement existing relationships with Azira and Hyp.
The collaboration with Westpac DataX unlocks transaction insights from 13 million customers, and the deal with Experian brings credit bureau and census data to the iHeart Network, powering more than 800 new audience segments.
ARN will also integrate LiveRamp as a second data cleanroom alongside Infosum, providing more privacy-safe ways for advertisers to connect their first-party customer data to iHeart's audience for campaign activation.
In 2026, ARN's partnership with Magnite will connect iHeart's advertising technology directly to Magnite's exchange, creating a new path for advertiser demand, while OpenPath will provide direct access to iHeart inventory via an efficient and transparent supply path for buyers using The Trade Desk.
"The benefit of the iHeart platform is our ability to understand audience behaviour through the content they consume, wherever they consume it," said Ben Campbell, ARN director digital strategy, data and digital ventures.
“Our vision is to unlock access to this deep behavioural insight for our commercial partners," said Ben Campbell, ARN director digital strategy, data and digital ventures.
"These upgrades will transform how brands connect with audiences across Australia. By combining massive reach, premium content, world-class data and advanced technology, we're enabling smarter targeting, richer insights and measurable results wherever audiences are listening or watching.”
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